When a new star arises, it often means the demise of another. This is the normal cycle of professional sports.

Out with the old and in with the new.

Sometimes, people are unwilling to let go. One way or another, they eke that extra bit of life out of their careers.

Sometimes, they step on the toes of the incoming freshmen, pathetically trying to get in the spotlight one last time.

Such is the case of Fuzzy Zoeller last Sunday, in a discussion with CNN.

The topic led into Tiger Woods, the 21-year-old golfer with a diverse ancestry, who broke many records after winning the Masters a couple weeks back.

Zoeller referred to Woods as a “little boy,” and urged Woods not to request fried chicken and collard greens at next year’s champion’s dinner at the Augusta National Club.

Zoeller later apologized and said he was joking.

I’m sorry, that was so funny, I forgot to laugh.

I guess Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder also was joking when he proclaimed his hypothesis on national television about the physical and intellectual abilities of African Americans.

I admit that while Zoeller’s comments were not as harsh as Snyder’s, they were still uncalled for, racist and better left unsaid.

If there has been anything I have learned this year, it is that people in positions of influence or power should not make such reckless remarks.

The only good to come of this is that Zoeller no longer is a golf spokesman for K-Mart.

It is too bad people feel the need to criticize Woods because of his success.

Tiger Woods exploded into the media by winning the Masters. Suddenly, a whole new audience for the sport emerged. Woods’ every move is watched, possibly even mimicked, by a generation of young adults.

It’s too bad other athletes can’t handle themselves in the manner Woods has.

Being constantly watched by the public is the consequence of being a professional athlete, something few athletes these days remember.

That brings me to the point of today’s column. Being a professional athlete should be 95 percent public relations.

Winning is important, but athletes should have a penchant for putting style over substance.

They should remember they are playing their sport because of the fans. They would not exist if not for their fans.

Well folks, in conclusion, the end of the semester has come, and it’s been real, it’s been fun. Hey, I’ll even go as far as saying that it’s been real fun.

And remember, if it makes any of you feel better, I am not a journalism major.

Have a good summer.

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RORYFLAHERTY is a junior in construction engineering from LeMars, Iowa.