Phelps...Is it really THAT bad?

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Permalink Reply by Toni on February 6, 2009 at 1:51pm

Personally, I don't think it is a big deal at all. What he does in his off season is his business. Phelps being a "smoker" could actually do good things for the image of pot.
I actually have not done in a very long time but I have never had bad thoughts about someone just because they did. When you watch the commercials on tv, the only things you see people doing are horrible things and you can tell that whoever wrote that script had never even tried it. Honestly, I never sped out of a drive thru fast enough to injure a child. I never left my friends at a party because I forgot about them. I never even stole money from my parents in order to buy it. I did, however, almost break the fridge door trying to get in when I had the munchies. Bet you won't see that on a commercial!
I think the media is just trying to find something to focus on besides this horrible economy. They try to categorize the people who smoke as lazy, jobless "potheads." Almost all the people that I knew/know who did it had jobs and were/are responsible, upstanding citizens. I would never in a million years call Phelps lazy and if he can accomplish receiving the highest number of gold medals in history while being a smoker, then I say he needs to start sharing.
They just need to move on and leave him alone.

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Permalink Reply by David Stehle on February 6, 2009 at 2:08pm

He was drug-free when he competed in the Olympics. So I don't really see what the big deal is. He's 23, has a shit load of money, tons of free time to kill on his hands now and can hook up with any girl he wants! I don't see how anyone is shocked by his behavior. If he wasn't hitting the pipe while out partying, I would be surprised.

However, from the standpoint of the sponsers, I can fully understand if one of his endorsements, like Kellogg’s, wants to drop his ass.

When an athlete is endorsed/sponsored by a company, they usually pick that athlete because they project the squeaky clean image they are looking for to grace their advertisements. Photos of Phelps taking hits from the bong does NOT accomplish that goal, obviously.

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Permalink Reply by Brigid on February 6, 2009 at 2:13pm

Kellogg's is just not renewing his contract when it comes due. Totally different than dropping him in the middle of the contract.

Please correct me if I am wrong, that is the only sponsor that is not renewing his contract. I do know Speedo and Omega are standing behind him 100%.

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Permalink Reply by David Stehle on February 6, 2009 at 3:10pm

You're guess is as good as mine. I don't really know the details because I'm not a Phelps fan. Yeah, I watched and cheered for him in the Olympics, but since then, I have no idea what he does...other than smoke dope. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Mindy on February 6, 2009 at 2:14pm

While I'm not one for pot-smoking in general, I think the scrutiny he's receiving is definitely out of hand. The entire thing is being blown out of proportion.

Could I see sponsors dropping him? Yes, but that's because he's marketing their product under the image of role model and someone who does smoke may not be seen as such by the parents of children who admire Phelps.

However, it has to be recognized that not only was he clean during the Olympics, but said incident occurred when he wasn't even back in training yet. This was his "off" time, if you will, and it's a shame the media - yes, I'm criticizing my own industry - is scrutinizing his actions to such a high degree.

It's his own personal business and, in my opinion, should remain as such, but as a public figure, that's not exactly how it works. Perhaps Phelps should have been more aware of the consequences of his actions and how that might tarnish his image, so some fault has to be placed on him. But, at the same time, said incident has zero relevance toward his swimming career, and perhaps he's receiving far too much media and public backlash for it.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Tabick on February 6, 2009 at 2:31pm

I'm completely drug-free, but I have friends who are not. It doesn't bother me one bit, which is why I have zero concern with this entire Phelps ordeal. What he does with his spare (personal) time is of no concern to the entire world. It's the same reason I see no point in the useless Hollywood tabloids. Everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet, so who cares?

I remember a smaller uproar when Ben Curtis got arrested for trying to buy pot. (Don't know who I'm talking about? This might help.) Obviously, being five years ago, it didn't get quite the media attention, but I still remember it being plastered everywhere. (Or perhaps my geek side is coming out.)

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Permalink Reply by Gary on February 6, 2009 at 2:31pm

I hate the negative attention that marijuana receives. When the whole "War on Drugs" era started with the Reagens, anti-drug groups (like Partnership for a Drug Free America) got a pretty much free pass to say or do whatever fancied them. Those commercials that they run boil down to propaganda. My personal favorite is the one where the two teens smoke pot and end up shooting each other. It's the reefer madness scare dressed in a new flashy suit. When was the last time you heard of some pot-crazed swimmer wreaking havoc on the local kiddie pool? I'm going to take a wild stab and say that 99% of people in North America never have, because it just doesn't happen. Turn on the TV though and you'd swear everyone in your apartment building is conspiring to sell pot (which, as we all know, turns into selling crack sooner or later).

Ya, so what. We all know the media is bad, so what is my point? If Phelps smoked cigarettes, he'd have a bad habit. If he smokes pot, he has an addiction. Guess what! They're both drugs, and I'm sure you can guess which one causes more problems for people. The fact is that he blazed a doobie after winning 8 gold medals. I'm pretty sure I would have been a wreck that whole week if I were him. As for being a role model? He is a well-know womanizer, drinks often and never did well in school. Why does this bring the spot light on him all of a sudden?

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