Michael Phelps ‘Regrets’ He Got Caught Smokin’ A Bong
Yesterday morning we saw a pretty amazing photo of 14-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps puffin’ on, by all accounts, a humongous marijuana pipe (more commonly referred to as a bong). After some speculation on the Internets by anyone with an opinion as to what damages could result from a photo like that in regards to his Olympic career (ie. what could be proven, what could not), Michael Phelps released an official statement admitting wrongdoing (while never expressly discussing specifics of that wrongdoing) which makes a solemn vow to fans that he will never transgress in such a manner ever again:
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps admitted to “regrettable” behavior Sunday and vowed it wouldn’t happen again after a British newspaper published a photograph of the swimmer smoking a marijuana pipe. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” the record-setting American athlete said in a statement issued Sunday. “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,” Phelps said. “For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.” Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, four years after he won six gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He has received numerous corporate endorsements totaling millions of dollars. His statement was also posted on his Facebook page, followed by comments of both support and admonishment from fans. In a separate statement, the U.S. Olympic Committee said it was “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps.” “Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people,” the committee said. “In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.” However, it added, “Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.” The picture, billed as an exclusive by the tabloid News of the World, showed Phelps using a water pipe during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina. In 2004, Phelps was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. Phelps pleaded guilty and received 18 months probation in that incident, issuing an apology afterward. “Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong. It’s dangerous and it’s unacceptable. I’m 19, but was taught that no matter how old you are, you take responsibility for actions, which I do,” Phelps told ESPN. The Olympic swimmer is one of 12 Olympic athletes that have pledged to “My Victory,” an initiative launched last year by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to keep competitive sports clean of cheating and drug use.
Honestly, this was his best course of action … to deny and play around with admittance of guilt would’ve been foolhardy, I think. And you gotta love that every time he apologizes publicly he has to remind folks of how old/young he is, as if that were enough of an excuse. He was 19 when he got arrested for drunk driving, he was 23 when he got caught using drugs. Whatever your feelings on marijuana use is (ie. whether it’s dangerous and illegal or harmless and “no big deal”), I think the fact that Phelps made a very public vow to join My Victory (which is STRICTLY anti-drug use) is what painted him into the corner. I’m bothered also by his promise that “it will never happen again”. That is the surest way to get busted in the future, should this ever happen again. Personally, marijuana use is not that big a deal to me … but considering the role model title that he took upon his self (as evident by his public endorsement of My Victory) I contend that getting busted with a bong was in very bad form. I’m sure he will not suffer any consequences from this action … but he does seem a bit tarnished, at least to me, as a result … no matter how old/young he is.
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February 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 am
BFD!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 am
BFD and I think he meant there weren’t gonna be anymore pixs of him smoking pot LOL
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 am
Big woop.
Is he sorry he toked? Or does he regret that someone snapped a picture?
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 am
It’s lame that he joined that anti-drug group whatev it’s called…but he’s a 23yr old, prob partying his a$$ off after all those years of hard training….maybe I’m lame, but I don’t think it’s such a big huge deal.
I’m impressed he just owned up to it and apologized instead of pullin a “lie & deny” charade.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:14 am
I don’t have a problem with his smoking pot, but it’s the fact that he is a role model and also My Victory that seems to be the big deal. I don’t care how old you are…if you know that you are looked at as a role model and have millions in endorsement deals, you need to be more careful about who you are going to smoke pot (or do other drugs) around. Obviously if you are at a party with people you don’t know, don’t do it, or do it in the bathroom, or room where someone isn’t going to take a picture of you and sell it to the tabs. He may be young, but he’s old enough to know better me thinks.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 am
He should have got in the line for ‘Horse Sense’ not ‘Horse Teeth’. there’s a big difference there Michael!!!!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I hate pot… something must be wrong with my nose, because to me, it is the worst smelling thing on this entire planet!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 am
People may not think that pot is a big deal, but it IS a big deal when my kids are watching the Today Show and see that picture of him smoking a bong. It is just a bad message for kids — he signed up to be a very public role model!!! I’m really disappointed in him.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
So the swimming pterodactyl rocks the ganj. He needs to be apologizing for his face! Put the cap and goggles back on, Mike. It detracts so much from your alien appearance. Damn, someone get Ellen Ripley on the phone.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
Totally agree it’s not so much that pot is a big deal, it’s because it’s HIM. He’s a world-known, Olympic champion and the reality is that kids look up to him and will see this and likely think it’s “no big deal”. Of course lots of people do it – heck I dated a pothead for 6+ years…I’m just surprised he’d be dumb enough to get his photo snapped.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
marijuana is not a drug…it’s a plant
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Maybe he smokes pot to slow himself down and level the playing field for other swimmers? :P
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I agree with the other comments…I don’t think pot is such a big deal but I think when you set yourself up as a role model and a public figure you need to be more careful about your actions. That being said, I like that he owned up to it. I hate when celebrities get all defensive and act all put out by the media.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
this guy is so lame. pot is illegal and he’s a jerk for using, but honestly he’s not even worth talking about. anyone else just sick of him? we should just throw him out into the sea. he’ll be fine.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 am
Geez, he’s 23 years old and hasn’t done anything in his life but eat and swim, give the kid a break. Who says that role models can’t make mistakes? Does a pic of him doing what a lot (not all, I know) of 23 year olds do negate all that he accomplished? I don’t think so.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:01 am
i dont care about what he does in his personal life (hookes, drug use i dont care), but what i have NEVER liked about him is how arrogant he comes across. seriously, he thinks he is god’s gift.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 am
I get tired of hearing people defend his choices by pointing out what a strict lifestyle he led before due to training. He chose to go after that and because of that choice he has certain responsibilties. It bothers me to see him promote a drug-free lifestyle and then have these pictures released. WHy does he get to enjoy the rewards of fame- money, celebrity status, parades in his honor- but not have to suffer the consequences as well? That’s the trade off.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 am
OMG!!! He smoked pot!!! He will never amount to anything. Except that at 23 he’s done a lot more then a lot of people have done in their entire lives. Let him have a little fun. If he drives drunk again then we can get on his ass.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
blah he is no fucking role model to me or to anyone that are not fuckin horny ass 12 year olds.. FUck HIM AND THE BONG I DON’T REALLY CARE WHAT HE DOES.. blah i am wasting my time. :[
February 4th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
michael reminds me of a dead horse ._.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:58 am
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March 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
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