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Michael Phelps' Slip-Up
I know Michael Phelps pretty well, starting in Athens at the '04 games, through Beijing, where I was the only non-poolside journalist from whom he'd take questions after each race. In October, I flew to Baltimore to host the Olympic Heroes Parade in his honor. He has always been the most awesome swimmer. He has not always been the most popular guy. That is new for Michael because now, he is. I think he'd rather just fit in and be like everyone else... no chance, Mike.
He smoked some pot at a party and someone took a photo. A tabloid from another country, perhaps eager to knock a symbol of American greatness, published it.
Other cool, rap-listening, video game and poker-playing dudes have looser rules to live by. Michael has big-time sponsors relying on his All-Americanism. Imagine his team of handlers, agents and his MOM hunkering down in lead agent Peter Carlisle's office at The Octagon Sports Agency freaking out about which sponsors might bail. It's got to be happening.
He smoked some pot at a party and someone took a photo. A tabloid from another country, perhaps eager to knock a symbol of American greatness, published it.
Other cool, rap-listening, video game and poker-playing dudes have looser rules to live by. Michael has big-time sponsors relying on his All-Americanism. Imagine his team of handlers, agents and his MOM hunkering down in lead agent Peter Carlisle's office at The Octagon Sports Agency freaking out about which sponsors might bail. It's got to be happening.
Phelps said: "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."
Will that be enough to mollify his multi-million dollar spending sponsors? I think so. I hope so. It should.
Right after winning 6 gold medals in Athens, he slipped and got a DUI. I wondered if it would happen again. It did. We all err and most of us do it more than once.
Finally, is there a double standard? Do Britney and Lindsay get crucified while Michael gets by? Michael's pattern is more forgivable. He's "given" more to others, charitably and emotionally, in my opinion. In short, he's built up some real goodwill and capital. He's having to spend all of it now. I think that makes him even.
Will that be enough to mollify his multi-million dollar spending sponsors? I think so. I hope so. It should.
Right after winning 6 gold medals in Athens, he slipped and got a DUI. I wondered if it would happen again. It did. We all err and most of us do it more than once.
Finally, is there a double standard? Do Britney and Lindsay get crucified while Michael gets by? Michael's pattern is more forgivable. He's "given" more to others, charitably and emotionally, in my opinion. In short, he's built up some real goodwill and capital. He's having to spend all of it now. I think that makes him even.
He's clearly not the smartest guy out there, but I don't think the guy should be crucified for this. His publicist should be commended on writing such a well-crafted "apology" in Phelps' name :)
We (fans) let him slide on the DUI. In my opinion, his DUI arrest was much more "newsworthy" than this (as he may have been putting other people in danger). If we can "forgive" him for that, I highly doubt this event will tear him down.
I'm sure Mr. Murdoch will be really pissed if, one day, pictures of his daughter smoking weed is published by a competing tabloid. We've all done silly things in our youth. Phelps might be an American Hero, but he is also just a young man who like the rest of us is capable of making mistakes.
He needs to be very careful though. Though sports stars seem to have more goodwill than anyone else (for some reason), no one has an infinite quantity of goodwill.
yaaaawwn... nobody cares.
You are right, I am British and I think the British press or maybe just the press in general are out to get anyone who has made it and made their country proud and bring them down.
We see this negativity everyday and I have to say I am getting so sick of it!
Billy, I respect you but I think your blog entry on Michael Phelps is shameful. I have small children who look up to athletes as role models and they put Olympic record-holders at the very top of that list. While I don't allow them to watch or follow the actions of Britney or Lindsay, I am happy to let them put people like Michael on a pedestal because of his hard work and dedication to the sport of swimming. When he got a DUI in 2004, I said shame on him but chalked it up to youthful immaturity. Now, I think he's flaunting his celebrity and when I have to explain to my children what he's done- I'm embarrassed. Further, I'm equally as embarrassed that NO ONE seems to be willing or able to hold him accountable. Will his sponsors bail on him? Doubtful. And it doesn't help that people like you with great influence just slap him on the wrist. Finally, shame on me for believing in him again. I won't give him an opportunity to disappoint me or my family anymore because we simply won't be watching.
I like Phelps, but I don't agree with some of his sponsors. I personally think this sends a wrong message to our youth.
Sure he made a mistake. Yes, he apologized, but he is a role model to so many kids. It's not like this is the first time he has made a "mistake". Remember his DUI a few years back? Obviously, his apology is more to save his $'s than really caring about his actions. How many times will he say that he made a mistake, and it wont happen again? Yes he is a young guy, and yes this happens to a lot of people, but he is a celebrity role model!
I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about Phelps recent public announcement! OK so he has encountered some rough patches…who hasn’t. Two of our past presidents omitted to smoking pot along with a vice-president and I’m sure Obama isn’t going to fall far from that tree! So why now… because Phelps is an Olympic Gold Medalist? I do understand where B Wells is coming from because I have 3 young children (10, 8 & 5). They all think of Phelps as their hero but they also think that the President(s) of our Country are (& were) their hero’s too! So I guess, what I’m trying to say is today’s society is nothing like it was 20 yrs ago. Unfortunately, people are a lot more spiteful and want to cash in on someone else’s mistakes. With people today having cell phones (that take pictures) ANYONE who does anything that is slightly wrong, you can bet that photo or video will be posted somewhere on the internet! So EVERYONE, say goodbye to your privacy! I don’t think he should be punished for his past mistakes even though he is a Gold Medalist! One last note…. Did any of our past leaders of our country get punished for their mistakes????
I agree with the poster above who said that Michael's DUI arrest is a lot worst than his pot-smoking. I don't think smoking pot is a big deal (as it is not a performance enhancing drug). However, I fully understand why a company like Kelloggs would drop him. I hope Michael is more careful with his health though.
They should just make him do an anti-drug PSA and move on. I'm sure he has learned his lesson.
totally agree with you billy!!! its not fair for this type of behavior to be joked about by hollywood stars and music artists, even have feature films made about it discussed at the mtv movie awards (which is watched mostly by tweens) and then crucify someone for doing it just because they are a sports figure. i always agree with you billy, keep doing what you do!