USOC / McClatchy Tribune
As everyone knows, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps̢۪ reputation went up in smoke earlier this week when a picture of him taking a bong hit surfaced on the internet.
It appears that he won’t lose any endorsements over this one incident, but what intrigued me the most was the wide range of opinions that I heard about it — and everyone I talked to had one.
One person I talked to said he was crestfallen about his former hero, saying “Phelps should be stripped of every single medal he won.” Others seemed indifferent, saying “Phelps was old news anyway.” And some I talked to said it would actually help his career, even claiming that the incident would spice up his image, citing the painfully unfunny SNL he hosted in October.
There were plenty of jokes to be had. Fox News ran the headline, “Phelps Image Takes a Hit After Marijuana Photo Surfaces.â€Â For conservatives, they sure seem to know the lingo.
Plenty of other jokes surfaced about water bongs. Slate Magazine ran an article which confirmed that, yes, Phelps̢۪ enormous lungs did allow him to take Olympic-sized bong hits.
My dad called me up from Atlanta: “Hey son, I made a new joke: Michael Phelps used to be on the cover of Frosted Flakes, right? Looks like the flakes weren’t the only thing getting frosted!â€Â
For all the serious implications and disappointment in his character, this story sure seems to have been a lot of fun for the national imagination. And I̢۪m left to wonder, yet again, what exactly is so wrong with using the plant in the first place.
To put it another way, consider this: Michael Phelps issued a public apology about his marijuana use. President Clinton claimed that he didn̢۪t inhale. Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg.
Let’s give Phelps a break. He put something “specialâ€Â in the brownies of a slow news week, and we should all be thankful for that.
Autoflowering Seeds • Jan 9, 2010 at 6:34 am
He is a great athlete all the same. None of us are perfect.
Brian • Sep 28, 2009 at 5:41 am
It is ok to be a world class athlete and have a life. Sometimes the public view forgets that. However, at the same time it is important to his career and image to be aware of how things he does will be perceived. Might be better next time to have a marijuana laced brownie.
Brian
Brian • Sep 28, 2009 at 12:41 pm
It is ok to be a world class athlete and have a life. Sometimes the public view forgets that. However, at the same time it is important to his career and image to be aware of how things he does will be perceived. Might be better next time to have a marijuana laced brownie.
Brian
dating guide • Jun 9, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Phelps is already a legend , I cant understand the trend of the American community of hunger to destroy their idols.
dating guide • Jun 9, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Phelps is already a legend , I cant understand the trend of the American community of hunger to destroy their idols.
adam jauregui • Mar 27, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Michael Phelps iis one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all-time, and he smokes weed! Wow, if there’s anyone who didn’t fit the “marijuana-user” stereotype, it’s this guy. This just adds ammunition to marijuana-reformers that marijuana when used responsibly is no problem at all. It’s up to the user to decide whether it’s responible, too. For some people, a night of getting stoned is good enough. Others, who use it for medicinal purposes, need it every day. And no, you don’t need a MM card to prove that you need it medicinally (some doctors are still living in the ’60s on the drug).
As long as it doesn’t disrupt your life, I don’t think anyone should be disappointed in someone who uses a drug. I mean, for pete’s sake Ray Charles shot up heroin and he’s one of the greatest musicians ever. I’m not saying it’s okay to do heroin–it’s one of the absolute worst drugs out there–but he used his drug responsibly (knowing how much to take, making sure no one else took it) and was able to make awesome music.
If Phelps can use marijuana responsibly without it having it impact his career (health-wise) then why shouldn’t he have the unalienable right to pursue happiness with one of Nature’s greatest miracle? The fact that he’s being stigmatized just because he used marijuana says more about how dumb society is.
There will NEVER BE a drug-free America. Quit living in some ideological fantasy. End prohbition.
adam jauregui • Mar 28, 2009 at 5:20 am
Michael Phelps iis one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all-time, and he smokes weed! Wow, if there’s anyone who didn’t fit the “marijuana-user” stereotype, it’s this guy. This just adds ammunition to marijuana-reformers that marijuana when used responsibly is no problem at all. It’s up to the user to decide whether it’s responible, too. For some people, a night of getting stoned is good enough. Others, who use it for medicinal purposes, need it every day. And no, you don’t need a MM card to prove that you need it medicinally (some doctors are still living in the ’60s on the drug).
As long as it doesn’t disrupt your life, I don’t think anyone should be disappointed in someone who uses a drug. I mean, for pete’s sake Ray Charles shot up heroin and he’s one of the greatest musicians ever. I’m not saying it’s okay to do heroin–it’s one of the absolute worst drugs out there–but he used his drug responsibly (knowing how much to take, making sure no one else took it) and was able to make awesome music.
If Phelps can use marijuana responsibly without it having it impact his career (health-wise) then why shouldn’t he have the unalienable right to pursue happiness with one of Nature’s greatest miracle? The fact that he’s being stigmatized just because he used marijuana says more about how dumb society is.
There will NEVER BE a drug-free America. Quit living in some ideological fantasy. End prohbition.
Rory Carlberg • Feb 13, 2009 at 4:22 pm
He is a world class athlete who inhaled the smoke from one of Earth’s natural plants. He did not take steriods, he did not commite a violent act against his girlfriend, he did not even use foul language. We the people make him into a role model, it is our ritual to idolize athletes and that is not the fault of the athletes, it is our own fault. Role models should not be selected based on their performance in a pool, on a field, or on a court. What sense does that make? If you don’t like Phelps because he smokes then you don’t like him, good for you it is your choice.
Please do not lie to yourself like you never hit a bowl or drank a beer. Alcohol is bad for your body, in fact alcohol is far worse for your body and causes an uncomparable number of deaths (seeing how weed never killed anyone). Im not saying you drink alcohol or are an alcoholic, its just a comparision. Just because the government (well Federal Gov – its legal where i live – California) says something is right or wrong does not make it so. The patriot act says they can listen to every phone call you make if they want to — i do not think that is right, seeing how we are gauranteed the right to privacy by the constitution and that would be an invasion of that right. Marijuana raises the quality of a lot of people’s lives. Every since my grandfather battled cancer, he has had to smoke to have an appetite; without marijuana his quality of life would be much lower. He fought for this country and is one of the most mature people I have ever met and he just happens to smoke weed. There is nothing wrong with it.
Rory Carlberg • Feb 13, 2009 at 11:22 pm
He is a world class athlete who inhaled the smoke from one of Earth’s natural plants. He did not take steriods, he did not commite a violent act against his girlfriend, he did not even use foul language. We the people make him into a role model, it is our ritual to idolize athletes and that is not the fault of the athletes, it is our own fault. Role models should not be selected based on their performance in a pool, on a field, or on a court. What sense does that make? If you don’t like Phelps because he smokes then you don’t like him, good for you it is your choice.
Please do not lie to yourself like you never hit a bowl or drank a beer. Alcohol is bad for your body, in fact alcohol is far worse for your body and causes an uncomparable number of deaths (seeing how weed never killed anyone). Im not saying you drink alcohol or are an alcoholic, its just a comparision. Just because the government (well Federal Gov – its legal where i live – California) says something is right or wrong does not make it so. The patriot act says they can listen to every phone call you make if they want to — i do not think that is right, seeing how we are gauranteed the right to privacy by the constitution and that would be an invasion of that right. Marijuana raises the quality of a lot of people’s lives. Every since my grandfather battled cancer, he has had to smoke to have an appetite; without marijuana his quality of life would be much lower. He fought for this country and is one of the most mature people I have ever met and he just happens to smoke weed. There is nothing wrong with it.
junior • Feb 8, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Ok, so as a “role model” I guess the guy’s gotta be more careful. But way to toke one for the team Phelps. Team America that is. After all, marijuana is what we’re good at.
junior • Feb 9, 2009 at 3:23 am
Ok, so as a “role model” I guess the guy’s gotta be more careful. But way to toke one for the team Phelps. Team America that is. After all, marijuana is what we’re good at.
Michael J. Faux • Feb 6, 2009 at 10:42 pm
the guy somewhat struck me as kind of a pothead—–I watched a 60 minutes when he was chowing down on a big-assed breakfast. He had a stoned look about him like he has just taken some skunk weed. He seems a little laid back and oblivious to be a world class athlete.
Michael J. Faux • Feb 7, 2009 at 5:42 am
the guy somewhat struck me as kind of a pothead—–I watched a 60 minutes when he was chowing down on a big-assed breakfast. He had a stoned look about him like he has just taken some skunk weed. He seems a little laid back and oblivious to be a world class athlete.
dora the explorer • Feb 6, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Well, the guy is young for starters. That means it’s easier to make mistakes in life. I know he has handlers and should be better prepped for dealing with this, but oh well. He’s still a champion. One of the best.
dora the explorer • Feb 7, 2009 at 5:06 am
Well, the guy is young for starters. That means it’s easier to make mistakes in life. I know he has handlers and should be better prepped for dealing with this, but oh well. He’s still a champion. One of the best.
whatever • Feb 6, 2009 at 3:06 pm
The issue isn’t just that he used marijuana. This guy has been making total clown comments for a while now. He is a major role model regardless of whether he likes it and should be more careful about what he does in public.
I don’t think he should be suspended or have any of his medals taken away, but I definitely think less of him for the way he’s handling his successes. I will always be amazed by his ability but this isn’t the way someone in his position should act.
whatever • Feb 6, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The issue isn’t just that he used marijuana. This guy has been making total clown comments for a while now. He is a major role model regardless of whether he likes it and should be more careful about what he does in public.
I don’t think he should be suspended or have any of his medals taken away, but I definitely think less of him for the way he’s handling his successes. I will always be amazed by his ability but this isn’t the way someone in his position should act.