“As a member of Michael Phelps’ generation, I can say that we do not always make good decisions. Phelps proved this point to the fullest extent when a British tabloid published a picture of him smoking a bong at a party last November. So the world now knows that Michael Phelps smoked pot.”
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As a member of Michael Phelps’ generation, I can say that we do not always make good decisions.

Phelps proved this point to the fullest extent when a British tabloid published a picture of him smoking a bong at a party last November.

So the world now knows that Michael Phelps smoked pot.

Who cares? Apparently, the majority of America doesn’t.

Phelps only lost one endorsement deal. The rest of Phelps’ endorsers stood by him after he admitted guilt and apologized.

While you could argue that they stayed with him because of his honesty, we all know that’s not true.

They all stood by him and didn’t release him from his contract because he’s making them millions of dollars.

U.S. Swimming also suspended Phelps for three months. They didn’t feel the need to mention that they have no major competition during his suspension.

What I’m saying is this: No one cares that Phelps is a smoker.

Despite what you might hear about the situation from certain media outlets, the sun is still rising in the East and setting in the West.

Phelps is an American icon. He has 14 gold medals to his name.

When his career is over, he’ll be the most decorated Olympian to ever compete.

Despite all of this, he is only 23 years old.

Because of his spectacular talent, Phelps will be in the limelight for the rest of his life. He obviously made a terrible decision to smoke when someone near him had a camera.

Does smoking marijuana make him a bad person? No.

Does it change his status as one of the best American athletes to ever live? No.

Does it make him an idiot?

Absolutely.

He’s not a criminal of some kind. He’s not a social outcast. He’s a kid who got caught doing what millions of other kids his age do regularly; smoke marijuana.

I’m not condoning the recreational use of drugs.

However, I do not think there is a problem if someone chooses to do so.

It is their personal choice. Who am I to tell them it’s wrong? No one has that right but officers of the law.

This wouldn’t even be an issue had Phelps not set what was seen as an unattainable record in Beijing last year.

He was celebrated and portrayed as a god-like figure in our culture. He was rewarded with appearances on talk shows and he graced more magazine covers than Barack Obama.

Now that the infamous picture has surfaced, chances are most of these opportunities are gone.

Some people may be withholding judgment because he has mentioned not swimming in the 2012 games in London because of the backlash from the media circus.

Keep your chin up, Michael. You’re still making millions to do nothing but appear in ads.

Just be more careful next time you decide to light one up.

Call Editor in Chief Dillon Deshong at:

330-972-6184

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