The concept of athletes behaving badly isn’t new in sports these days.

People only have to look at the off-the-field antics of Johnny Manziel, aka Johnny Football, to see that in action.

Occasionally you will see an athlete behave in a boorish manner on the field or in court. The tirades and antics of tennis great John McEnroe immediately come to mind. 

Me thinks we can now add Sunday’s melodrama that was New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. v. Carolina Panther defensive back Josh Norman to the mix.

Sunday saw Beckham and Norman go round-for-round as they pushed, shoved and trashed talked to each other in a pivotal game for both teams.

Understandably, this sort of thing happens quite often in football. It’s an emotional game that’s rather physical. You’ll see players tussle and at times fight. That happens.

But what was a little disturbing was the intensity of which Beckham, Jr. attempted to retaliate.

While pushing and shoving and trash talking happens, throwing punches shouldn’t.

Nor is using your helmet as an instrument of retaliation, which it seemed Beckham, Jr. accomplished when he hit Norman in a helmet-to-helmet collision that seemed rather purposeful.

The NFL has already spoken out that they intend to suspect Beckham, Jr. for at least one game. They more than likely will levy a hefty fine against him.

Many talking heads have said Beckham, Jr. should have been ejected from the game – and they’d be correct in saying that.

Here’s the big issue though – football is all about perception. From those of us in the media who scrutinize, to the public, especially kids, who idolize, we all are watching these athletes perform on the field.

In my mind, both players’ antics send quite the negative image to the fans, especially the younger generation.

To me, it shows that there’s an ability to retaliate without immediate (and meaningful) consequence. I’m fairly certain that’s not the message the NFL probably wants to send.

Assessing some sort of punishment to Beckham, Jr. and maybe even Norman could go a long way.

Still, this kind of thing leaves a bit of a not-so-holly-jolly image on the game before the holidays.

While it does make for an increase in ratings and social media fodder, it isn’t healthy.

So here’s a memo to all those professional athletes out there that tend to forget this one easy concept – the kids are watching.