By Marc Thaler
Sports Editor

Yes, he’s a world-class athlete and New Hampshire native. However, that alone has never been enough to interest me in the sport he dominates.

But after watching the "60 Minutes" segment profiling Franconia’s Bode Miller on Sunday, Jan. 8, I can say with ease that my opinion of this racer rapidly went downhill.

It’s one thing to be outspoken, to present your thoughts to the public at every turn.

Personally, I don’t care for people who fall under that heading. I’ve long believed that individuals who always feel the need to talk actually have very little to say.

That, however, is neither here nor there. Miller, as I understand it, is a vocal individual. And thanks to his talent on the slopes, he’s in a position of power as it relates to the public.

Celebrity obsession has become a staple of our society. Since our culture places these people on pedestals, they’re granted easy access to the forum that ensures their messages will reach millions of ears.

Many times, use of that power can serve as the driving force behind making positive things happen. Other times, citing Miller as the perfect example, celebrity messages only serve to make matters worse.

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In his interview with CBS reporter Bob Simon, Miller spoke of skiing drunk, something he did after an all-night celebration of a World Cup win.

“Talk about a hard challenge right there,” Miller said on "60 Minutes." “If you ever tried to ski when you’re wasted, it’s not easy. Try and ski a slalom when ... you hit a gate less than every one second, so it’s risky. You’re putting your life at risk.

“It’s like driving drunk,” he went on to say, “only there are no rules about it in ski racing.”

Sadly, there aren’t any rules about speaking responsibly as a role model, either.

Even more upsetting is the idea that his intoxicated actions truly speak louder than those words.

Boy, Franconia’s finest skier might have all the medals an athlete could hope to collect. But participating in any drunken activity that places himself – or worse, others – in serious danger means Miller is anything but a winner.

Whether the 28-year-old star views himself as a role model is irrelevant. His status as one of the world’s top skiers forces him to play the part.

Let me be clear: I’m not passing judgment on an adult who decided to drink adult beverages. It’s Miller’s right to consume as much booze as he desires. If I had won a World Cup, I can’t say I’d celebrate any differently than Miller.

However, the similarities between our celebration styles cease to exist right there. Deciding to strap on the skis and push speeds of 90 mph isn’t in my makeup.

Maybe that makes me, someone who’s the same age as this gifted Granite Stater, the complete opposite of cool. Call it a reporter’s hunch, but I suspect that’s not the case.

Of course, that could be little more than wishful thinking on my part. I remember what it was like to be in middle school, high school and college. It wasn’t that long ago.

I can recall thinking certain stupid things my heroes did were funny and cool. Only later did I learn that mentality came with a young adult’s feeling of invincibility.

That’s exactly why I place all the blame on Bode.

He isn’t 10, 16 or 21. He knows better. Correction: He should know better, Still, let’s set aside for a moment the fact that Miller’s ignorant admission could have a negative impact on many impressionable minds.

What was this guy thinking, risking his God-given ability, his life?

Perhaps I just answered my own question.

He wasn’t thinking at all.