This headline has been all over the news recently. If you don't feel like reading the entire article, the jist of the story is that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who has won more gold medals than anyone in Olympic history, admitted Sunday he had engaged in "regrettable" behavior and shown "bad judgment" after a photo of him smoking what appears to be marijuana from a glass pipe was published in a British tabloid over the weekend.
In a statement he said, "I'm 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public -- it will not happen again."
Marketing experts said the incident should have minimal effect on Phelps' multimillion-dollar sponsorships because of his quick apology.
What do you think?
9 comments:
I was really disappointed when I saw this in the news. Michael Phelps has become an American icon and acts as an example and hero to SO many, both young and old.
I do realize that people make mistakes, but I would just kind of hope that those who carry such status would take their responsbility more seriously. When you reach stardom like he has, you're held to a higher standard, like it or not. That's just how it goes. I hope that he honestly does learn from his mistake and can move forward from here.
Wow that stinks. I mean, how many magazine covers have we seen him on since the Olympics? He's everywhere! I do appreciate the apology but that just stinks.
what's interesting is when i was discussing it with my Dad he was justifying Phelps' behavior. his apology sums it up, he was an idiot.
but i think it's really unfortunate. even if he does keep his endorsements, i would think it would come up again when he goes to the next olympics. i heard a comment on CNN that that's why he eats so much each day-he gets the munchies from the pot...
I think it says more about our society than it does Phelps. Certainly he acted appropriately in apologizing and we shouldn't hold a mistake against him. However, the fact that this is considered "normal youthful activity" by so many is really a sad commentary on our society. I thought the same thing when I heard some journalists discussing Obama's admission that he had been a heavy drinker and an occasional user of drugs. One of the journalists said, "I'm the same age as Obama, who wasn't do that stuff then?"
On the other hand, this gives us all an opportunity to make our own stands very clear to those with whom we have contact (kids, nieces/nephews, the YW many of us work with, etc.). It gives us a chance to talk to them and help them process.
I hope for Phelps' sake that he moves on from this behavior quickly and thoroughly.
I guess I wasn't at all shocked when I saw the headlines... maybe it comes from being married to a police officer, but I kind of assume that almost everyone is doing stuff like that... soccer moms do drugs, high school honour students do drugs, why not an Olympic athlete? That doesn't make it ok by any means, and I'm disappointed to find that a talented athlete is wasting his time doing something so ridiculous, but I definitely wasn't shocked.
And I highly doubt it will affect him or his sponsorships. Celebrities and athletes seem to rarely be held accountable for their "errors in judgement".
I am reminded of something my parents always taught...The ONLY perfect person to walk the earth was Jesus Christ. Everyone else has the potential to make mistakes and disappoint...Therefore, don't put anyone on a pedestal (that goes for professional athletes, Presidents, teachers, and mentors). He might not have won 8 gold medals in the Olympics, but Christ will NEVER let us down.
I was also disappointed. It is always sad to see a role model of so many doing something like that. I am glad he apologized, so at least all of his fans realize that what he did was wrong...but still. It is sad. And also, if he's going to do one illegal drug...how do we know he'll stop there? Drugs are bad news and that is unfortunate that it was considered normal youth behavior. It just goes to show what a grip Satan really has on our society...where good is called evil and evil is called good....
I was disappointed sure, but not really surprised. Like others said, this is pretty common behavior these days, and he doesn't live by LDS standards. So while it is illegal, it's not that uncommon. I appreciate that he was mature enough to own up to it and apologize. Now he has to live with the consequences of disappointing people and not being the "hero" he could have been. It doesn't change much to me. I respected and admired him for his swimming ability, he wasn't a "hero" for any other reason to me...
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