I disagree strenuously that not treating a celebrity like a role model is the same thing as not falling in love.
I don't think you're following what I'm saying. First of all, this discussion pertains mostly to young children, teens, and young adults. Those are ages when people are most impacted by "role modeling". So when you say "don't treat millionaire athletes like role models", you are really asking this of young children and teens who are naturally inclined to look to adults for cues for appropriate behaviours. Then factor this in with another natural tendency which is to idolize people who excel in some facet of life.
So who exactly are you directing your "advice" towards? Children? Parents of these children? If it is the former, I would counter that it is not within their control and is a very natural, human behaviour. If it is the latter, then I'd say it is largely out of the control of parents to "chose" who their children idolize, short of completely isolating them from sports and celebrities in general.
Either way its a very unrealistic expectation to have.