How Should We React to Michael Phelps and His Bong?
Author: DavidJones // Category: Ethics, Family, Pop Culture, Sports, TV, Youth Culture
While many people are still talking about the Super Bowl, another sports story has come out of different proportions. Unless you’ve checked out from the world for the last few days, you’ve probably heard about the picture that was taken of Michael Phelps at a party in South Carolina. Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana. In case there was any question, Phelps has acknowledged he is the person in the picture. He has since issued a public apology for his actions.
This whole incident seems very alarming to me, not only because of Phelps’ actions, but also because of the feedback that has been coming through many sports talk radio lines and web sites. Let’s start with the latter…
Many people have been saying this whole ordeal is being blown out of proportion. These people argue Phelps is 23 and is only doing what most 23 year olds are doing these days. The guy has spent his entire life training to be an American hero…he deserves a break.
Others are arguing there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana. Even though it’s illegal, they claim it’s safer than cigarettes and the whole incident should be completely acceptable.
And then there’s Michael Phelps. Yes, he did issue an apology, but after hearing him speak in interviews, I’m a little skeptical of any professional sounding written apology. No offense to the guy, but I’m having trouble believing he wrote this apology on his own. Maybe it was sincere, but I’m sure he had a lot of help. Regardless, this apology can only go so far.
In my opinion, if this was the only case of wrongdoing in his career, he could be forgiven by the American people in time. Santonio Holmes, WR for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Super Bowl MVP, was guilty of a similar thing in 2008. Now, people have vague recollections of the incident and will remember him more for his Super Bowl catch than his drug use…that is, unless he messes up again.
Sadly, in the case of Phelps, this isn’t the first time he’s messed up. In 2004, as a 19-year-old, Michael Phelps was arrested and charged with a DUI. Not only was he driving drunk, but he was not even old enough to drink. As part of his sentence, Phelps had to speak to students at several schools about making choices and the dangers of alcohol.
Five years later, he’s back in the same situation. I understand we all make mistakes, but some of our mistakes have stronger consequences. After the Olympics in 2004, Phelps was considered an American icon. After the 2008 Games, he was considered a world icon, hero, leader, and role model for many. Whether or not he asked for the role, he was given it because of his accomplishments. Sponsors came out of nowhere to pay Phelps the big bucks so he could endorse their products. Swimming classes and lessons skyrocketed in enrollment from people simply watching Phelps on NBC.
Phelps may not have asked for the attention, but he certainly had to know it came with the territory. After making a stupid decision to drive drunk in 2004, he knew well and clear every move he made would be watched by the country. After winning his record gold medals in Beijing, he had to know he would be put under the microscope even more and be analyzed for every move he made.
Maybe you think we should cut him some slack. Maybe we’re going overboard on all of this. I actually don’t think we are. DUIs and drug possession are major charges. Not only did he do something stupid to himself, but he also put others in danger through his decisions. I am glad he apologized, but there’s part of me that is just wondering when he’ll do something stupid again.
Michael Phelps is NOT an American hero. He’s not a role model. He’s not a leader. He doesn’t deserve to be worshiped, praised, or bowed down to. The guy can swim. That’s it! Our country loves him because he swims fast. We don’t love his personality, his humanitarian efforts, his hospitality, his wisdom, or any great attributes. We simply love him because he can swim.
That may get you on the front of a Wheaties box, but in my opinion, it gets you nowhere in life!
When Charles Barkley made headlines by stating he was not a role model, maybe he was on to something. Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, teachers, doctors, pastors, youth pastors, etc should be the real heroes. Sadly, Barkley’s recent DUI makes his point more apparent than ever.
Is Phelps’ crime a big deal? It shouldn’t be, because we shouldn’t care. We should care about his inappropriate actions, not because he’s Michael Phelps, but because he’s doing some stupid things. We shouldn’t care about the prestige of the person doing it, because he should never be our hero, role model, or icon to begin with.
(Picture from News of the World)
Tags: Charles Barkley, DUI, marijuana, Michael Phelps, Olympics
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I agree that he shouldn’t be considered a hero, but rather an impressive athlete who has accomplished things in a way that no other swimmer ever has.
However, I disagree that he isn’t a role model or a leader. We all are. We either lead people to positive directions or we lead people to negative directions. Even sitting still is leading. The fact is, someone’s always watching what we do and how we act. The more fame you have the more people that are watching you. Being famous is a big responsibility, and famous people lead, whether they want to or not. I’ll still root for him when he swims. Just because he got caught doing something he shouldn’t have been doing doesn’t make me want to boo him, just like I hope no one would boo me if they saw my problems spread all across a newspaper page.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Hey Steve, thanks for the comment. I do agree he IS a role model and leader. When Barkley made his comment years ago, even though he didn’t want to be considered a role model and shouldn’t necessarily carry that title, he still WAS a role model. Phelps is in the same position. When your face is on cereal boxes, swim gear, Rosetta Stone, and TV, you automatically pick up that role. I just really wish our society didn’t hold these guys as high as we do.
Hopefully when 2012 hits, this will all be behind us (and more importantly him) and it won’t be an issue. I definitely won’t boo him, but as of right now, I’d have a tough time being enthusiastic about him being on the team.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I cannot and will not fault Michael Phelps for being the world icon that he has become. We the general public have exalted him to that status. However, the moment that he profits off of that status, I believe he becomes accountable for his actions. Granted, people make mistakes, but the media publicity of your mistakes comes with the “Celebrity” territory.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:37 am
So, I have to agree with Steve. I wouldn’t want my mistakes to be smeared all over TV and the internet.
But relating this to Christians, we’ve become so good at sinning in private that maybe having our sins publicized would actually help some of us. We don’t feel we have to admit to any sin, ever.
Sometimes, to help myself overcome things, I think to that day when I will have to face Jesus and wonder if he’ll have a big screen playing all of my sins…
As for Michael Phelps, he is a guy.. and a young guy.. and college guys do stuff like he does. He is human and not a believer. I think this would be the ideal time to explain to kids that our heroes should be those with integrity, honesty, and good ethics. But we all make mistakes. That’s why we line our lives up with the Bible and Jesus as a man, not those around us.
I’m sad and disappointed, but I have come to expect things like this from celebrities. I will still cheer for him as a swimmer and try to remember his soul in my prayers.