Posted by Kevin Jacobs, Sun Staff
Ok, so I'm a little late with this one, but to be honest I wanted to give the over-hyped picture as little press as possible. But when I heard that he may now face criminal charges, I couldn't help myself.
One thing is for sure, Michael Phelps has made a few big mistakes in his life (a DUI after Athens, and now this). A result of multiple gold overdoses perhaps? Maybe just simple immaturity? We'll never know for sure. Whatever the case, he’s definitely in hot water for his “regrettable behavior,” aka smoking a bong. But why?
The now infamous picture depicts Phelps taking a nice rip from the glass pipe, during a party in South Carolina (see left). Apparently the uber-athlete was too stupid or way too stoned to realize what such a picture would do to his image.
Everyone was waiting to hear what’s going to happen with Phelps’ sponsors, and to the media’s dismay it was all very anti-climactic. His sponsors gave him a light slap on the wrist, and Phelps is still in business. I bet Omega actually gave him a raise after getting their bling posted on every TV station and website known to man.
Lets remember that pot is not a new issue in the U.S., where it is legal in multiple states (for medical purposes only of course). I get that the picture is terrible for his pretty boy image, and his sponsors should be upset. What I don’t get are the criminal charges S.C. Sheriff Leon Lott are trying to drown Phelps with.
C’mon, criminal charges? Really? Has he ever seen the movie Super High Me? If so, comedian Doug Benson better run for the hills. Lott should go find a Phish cover band concert in Boulder, CO on April 20th (4/20/09), and just chill, man.
If Phelps weren’t famous this would just be one picture of some dude smoking weed, among millions, posted on the Internet. Really boring stuff, not proof of criminal behavior. In three years or so, as Phelps is taking home enough gold to fund an Obama stimulus package, it will be a non-issue anyway.
What do you think about Michael Phelps and his controversial picture?
Comments (4)
I just can't believe how so many people have nothing better to do than to admonish Phelps. Okay , so the guys an idiot. He could have his choice of actresses or models and yet goes out with a stripper. He should have been smarter than to go to a party and smoke out of a bong in front of strangers. But who cares? If you're using the breaking the law argument, how many of those people drive a car after one drink? How many people break the speed limit? How many give their kids a drink at home before they are 21? I could go on and on. It just must make these people feel better about themsleves to chop down a guy who's so successful. It's pathetic. He's 23, naive and most importantly he hasn't hurt anybody. No team, no season ticket holders and no family of his own. The guy is just human and making mistakes we all make at one time or another. And those looking to Phelps as their kid's role model should really talk to their kids and let them know role models should be people they personally know, not people they watch play a sport on TV!
Posted by T2 | February 4, 2009 9:25 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 09:25
What hot water is he in??? You think he's going to lose any of his big endorsements. Who do you think michael phelps fans are? 92 year old miserable men like you Jacobs. Nobody cares what you think about phelps. And i know for a fact that 86 % of Sun readers skip over your articles.
Posted by blogger are morons | February 4, 2009 10:01 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 10:01
T2, in the 3+ years we've been doing this blog, that might be the single, most articulate post you've made. And dammit, I think I agree with the entire thing. Usually, I can find at least one thing in your longer posts to disagree with, but you got me silenced here.
The only thing I can add is he even apologized immediately and properly....did everything right except make a dumb choice. Heck, if that's the worst he does at 23, he's OK. As far as we can tell, he didn't get behind the wheel of a car like he did when he was 19, either.
Let's lay off Phelps.
Posted by Teddy P. | February 4, 2009 4:59 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 16:59
Regarding today's article by Kevin Jacobs, "Snow kidding: February is one boring month" . Kevin states: "Unfortunately February is here, bringing withit absolutely no worthwhile athletic action. "
Are you kidding, NASCAR is just starting up again. Daytona activities are starting this weekend. I'm excited about that!!
Posted by Joy Tucker | February 5, 2009 10:31 AM
Posted on February 5, 2009 10:31