Did You See That?
Rich Frankliln with an eye patch over his right eye after UFC 93.
Rich Franklin/American Fighter
Rich Frankliln with a bruised right eye after UFC 93.
Rich Franklin/American Fighter
Marion Kreiner of Austria takes 1st place during the FIS Snowboard World Championship Women's Parallel Giant Slalom on January 20, 2009 in Gangwon, Korea.
Agence Zoom, Getty Images
Russia's Lubov Iliushechkina and Nodari Maisuradze perform their pairs short program at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, on January 20, 2009, during the European Figure Skating Championships.
Lars Lewen #12 of Sweden leads through a turn in front of Xavier Kuhn #5 of France and Beni Hofer #20 of Switzerland during the Men's Ski Cross heats on day two of the Freestyle World Cup on January 19, 2009 at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York.
Tunisia's Mahmoud Gharbi shoots against Russia during the Men's World Handball Championship Croatia 2009 Group C match in Varazdin city January 19, 2009.
OBERHOF, GERMANY - JANUARY 11: Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway skates during the Men mass start of the E.ON Ruhrgas IBU Biathlon World Cup on January 11, 2009 in Oberhof near Erfurt, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ole Einar Bjoerndalen
Martin Rose, Getty Images
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers' Chris Harris (43) defends during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.
Chuck Burton, AP
Pilots make an exhibition of Motocross Free Style in Rio Hato, some 120 km north of Panama City, on January 11, 2009. Motocross free style world champion, US Travis Pastrana, also participated in the show.
Elmer Martinez, AFP/Getty Images
San Jose Sharks forward Mike Grier hits the boards after he scored a goal during the second period of their NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alberta, January 6, 2009.
Todd Korol, Reuters
Now is the low. After the pot pictures heard 'round the world hit the newsstands last week, everyone has been jumping quickly off the Phelps bandwagon and quickly on the ridicule van. Now? Phelps will be out of swimming for three months after USA Swimming suspended him.
"This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero," the federation said in a statement.The Phelps story has become one of intense argument. On one hand, you have the critics that would throw stones if Phelps was indeed strapped to a stick in the middle of town, denouncing their beloved star because of the mistakes.
Others have taken the "ignorance" argument, saying that Phelps can do whatever he wants in his free time as long as he doesn't get caught by some digital camera.
We even have some critics saying that there really isn't anything so bad about this. It's just marijuana. He's still just a kid. Why do we have to kill our hero just because of this?
Drugs are something that find their way into sports day in and day out. We deal with athletes being caught with pot (hello, Micheal Vick at the Miami airport) all the time, and we deal with it. This is different. This was our kid. He was our boy. The highest-tier athletes around loved him during that improbable stretch, and celebrities even admitted to occasionally getting shivers down their spine when his long arms paddled through the lanes.It might not be a race issue per se, but it is a white kid that had role model slapped on him (whether he liked it or not) getting caught doing something that is actually available to most kids, even if parents don't want to believe so. It's pot. Anyone can get their hands on it. Anyone can figure out how to use it. With Phelps being someone that parents were proud to point to as a fairly straight player, his grilling seems to be as atomic as possible.
I think a suspension was necessary because it showed that this isn't condoned in our society. Do I agree with all the downfall that has landed on Phelps? Maybe not, but that is how life is. Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you don't.
Comments (Page 1 of 7)
leave poor mikey alone!!who knows what was in that pipe maybe it was chlorine he was out of water
Big freakin' deal! Marijuana is an herb that has many medicinal qualities. It's not like he was busted with a meth lab. If you're old enough to die for your country, then you're old enough to ingest whatever you want in your body. Leave the kid alone! If I won a bunch of gold medals I'd be toking it up too!
Pot doesn't make you stupid, it just so happens that a lot of stupid people smoke it and get caught, the smart ones hide it better. It's the truth and all of you know it, that is why 11 states are attempting to legalize small amouts! Maybe we should expose all of the research that is going into the goverment production and experimentation of the canibus genus. Think people.
What would really be nice in this whole saga is if someone would publicize the name of the photographer, since this would be a non-story without the photo. Let that glory-hound jerk feel a little wrath, now that he's cost someone else their livelihood. Was Phelps wrong? Sure. Should he lose millions and be smeared for life because of a harmless act of stupidity? I don't think so. If that paparazzi-wannabe wants fame, I say give it to him (or her)!
Could not have said it better!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't agree more. Just who is this photo jerk? As Michel has found out the hard way.. you just can't trust anyone. Shame on everyone for seeing him guilty without knowing the facts. What he does on his time is his business, not the worlds business. Maybe those of you throwing rocks at him should take a hit from a bong and chill!
You are right....there has to be a way to find out who took, the picture. I say we bombard them and let them know what a jerk they are....and how unneccessary that was.
Fit punishment, I believe. While he didn't commit a heinous crime, he does need to be accountable. I just hope everyone doesn't harangue him until he quits swimming. He is a rare talent. He has lived a different life than the rest of us and he's just doing what many others his age do. It doesn't make it right, but it also doesn't make it abnormal. Give the kid a break.
A lot of other 23 year olds aren't directly involved with training young children and didn't make hypocrital statements to these young children, including my own child. This is Michael's 2nd break, remember? You get tired of trying to explain this behavior to children. Personally, I don't think Michael should quit swimming but I think he should remove himself from swimcamps or any type of lecture circuit directed towards children. I commend USA Swimming and Kelloggs for acting like the adults here and holding Michael accountable for foolish and illegal behavior. And for the rest of you, please stop referring to alcohol as being worse. Michael already has the DUI to his name. You're not helping him. This guy is amazing in the water but that's it. It ends there. I'd love to see him prove me wrong. I'm hoping that I am wrong for his mother's sake.
happy now Wilbon? Kornhiser you Happy?
Enough even, in this age of 'you can't hold me accountable!! I got excuses!! Michael holds himself accountable. That trait, as much as his swimming still makes him a role model worthy of notice. And if South Carolina wants to prosicute him, what about all the other people at that party , you know, the ones that put what ever in that bong and handed it to him! Do they get a free ride just because they're not house hold names!?!
Our society thinks pot is ok. It's glorified in movies as fun, and harmless. Our young kids don't know what morals are, or role models. The pressure is so great for them to fit in, and there is so many 1 parent homes, there's no family to turn to. Yes, he should be scolded severly for letting down his young peers, as all people who are in the spotlight taking the money for the movies, the games, the sports, the music, the entertainment business in general. The greed to make the big bucks at the expense of the kids. We have very few heros for them to look up to. Its sad. America has forgotten what honesty, integrity, and pride stands for. He's tried to act like it was friends who caused this. Please own up to your actions Michael. See how stupid you look with your bong! Was it worth ruining your reputation? Was it just harmless pot? Gosh what's the big deal? Well it sure has caused a big deal, if it was so harmless. Apologize to your young fans, and to everyone who admired you.
listen grandma if you knew anything about everyday life and understood human psychology that statement wouldn't come off your keyboard guy takes a hit on abong who showed americans what hard work can do and represented you and you want even stand up against the most crooked wrong doing enity on the planet your own us goverment untilthat happens you can't say squat to nobody!how old are ya and how long have you let goverment slide
The pot isn't harmless grandma...what makes this whole deal harmful is that it is illegal...for no legitamate reason when compared to alcohol...he didnt hurt your child by hitting that bong or anyone elses...he jus wanted to relax he trains hard...and if he wants to slow down to give the rest of the world a better shot at beating him...then i would call Michael Phelps a humble man
Give me a break! They should give him another medal if he's smoking pot and performing the way he does. If her were using performance enhancing drugs then I would be upset and say strip the medals, but pot...really?
I'm not trying to say that it's good for you or argue that it won't help you make stupid choices. However, marijuana has many positive qualities and has helped many through chemo. That is the reason people don't condemn it as much because it isn't the same as other drugs that it is often summed up with.
So he would be a "good guy" if he was photographed with only beer or an alcoholic drink in his hand. Alcohol causes more problems by far than marijuana.Maybe the USA will wake up someday to its skewed standards.
Thank you very much. I heartily concur. I also would indeed like to know the identity of the paparazzi that was enterprising enough to get off on taking pix of someone on his own time. Granted, it is not a picture poster of behavior for kids but give me a break. A brewsky in his hand is a BETTER message? I think not at ALL. Tempest in a "tea Pot". Hardly worth the personal vilification he is being subjected to. People do a LOT worse. He is still a star athlete and it's NOBODY'S business but his own what he does on the stage. Someone out to make a dollar is apparently delighting in a nasty way to make that buck. I supposed it is payback for a life less successful that Michael's. Tough. Change careers or go back to the hole you crawled out of.
I'm a fan of Michael Phelps. I hope that he will be back for swimming in Olympics in London 2012. Pot is used for medical reasons. I don't agree on your comment about alcohol. Maybe he feels since he wons so many medals that he needed to smoke Marijuana. It is not Marlboro cigarettes which will cause cancer of all kinds. he's not an addict. Oh, three months will come and go fast,after his suspension is finished. NicoleBY33@aol.com.
Phelps is no idiot. When your a public figure and he definately is then your every move is scrutinized. His fault for and his only for hitting the bong. He is suspended and may lose millions of dollars. Thats on him and nobody else, I dont see anybody twisting his arm while he is smoking the dope. Dope is dope and it makes one dopey and do stupid stuff. So if you say pot is harmless ask Phelps it is costing him his reputation and money. And dont tell me pot is harmless. Its proven over and over to be a gateway drug and it damages the lungs more than cigarettes. Only time will tell if he can stop. I hope he can for his sakes, however his brain is not and has not functioned normally (addhd) since childhood so he is putting his brain at further risk by doing dope. I hope the addiction does not take for his sake personally. It will not suprise me if he gets in more trouble. Lets hope and pray for his sake he doesnt as he seems like a pretty decent dude. Only time will tell.
How long do you think it'll take before the photographer gets a royal beat down? 1...2 weeks?