Michael Phelps: a role model?

[Crissy]

Miz Booshay at Quiet Life asked today whether her readers think Michael Phelps should be given another chance after his pot smoking was made public.

I answered from the perspective of a company offering a lucrative endorsement deal, and said that because he chose to participate in an illegal activity, I wouldn't want him representing my brand.

 

But I have been thinking about how bad I feel for him and other young athletes like him. Should they really be put in the position of being a role model simply because they are gifted athletes?

 

What is it about gold metals and championship titles that makes the media and some parents hold the winners to a higher standard and say, "Don't you dare slip up! Our kids are watching you."

 

What do you think?

[Veritaserum]

Yeah, I think it's a bit harsh to expect these folks to not make any mistakes. I personally think "meh" with regard to pot smoking. That bothers me far less than, say, steroid use or drunk driving (didn't he have a problem with that, too?).

[Happy]

It distresses me that he also had a DUI a couple of years ago. To me, that was his first warning.

 

I do hold him to a high standard, but, frankly, it's the standard I hold every man and woman to...do the right thing. We are all examples. However, he has achieved fame in sports. Companies want him to influence my buying decisions. That means I'm also influenced by his negative behavior.

 

I also don't understand the argument that 'everyone' does pot and we should leave him alone to enjoy his private life. Not everyone does pot. Further, today the connection was made (in conversation) here locally, that anyone doing pot in the States in contributing to the awful drug wars along the Texas border with Mexico.

 

So, yeah. I hold him to a standard and think his decision was more than regrettable.

[orangearrow]

I don't encourage my children to look up to anyone they don't know extremely well as a role model. With those of us in our family, the kids know we're all doing the best we can - and they see how we handle things when we make mistakes, so they see the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

Well - I might encourage them to consider maybe someone who's already dead as a role model (they can't make major mistakes, roflol).

 

I figure he's doing the best he can at this point - and it's a good lesson for kids to learn from (you are NOT alone - even when you think you're alone, or with people you trust - cameras are everywhere, even if you're not Michael Phelps! lol You never know what will show up online 5 years from now that might haunt you forever!).

 

He's a young kid, likes to have "a good time" apparently - I think he'll be fine when it's all blown over (and I'm sure that, legally, they're going to make an example of him, so he'll pay a price). I just hope he's learned from this lapse in judgment and won't make the same mistake twice. He seems like a smart guy - I'm betting this won't happen again. He just got to feeling invincible after the gold medal rush and all the attention he was getting from all sides. He forgot that, while people like to "build you up", they truly love nothing more than tearing you down - so he got careless.

Edited February 6, 2009 by orangearrow

[Dawn E]

Well...I'm with you on seeing it two ways. He's a young guy who made a mistake. We can all identify with making stupid mistakes.

 

However, he is being paid to be a role model with those millions in endorsements. By choosing to be a representative he is accepting that he is a role model, and he has stated that he is a role model. Consequently, part of earning that money is staying away from illegal activity.

 

Also, Phelps had a DUI years ago, so this isn't his first time being caught doing something illegal.

[Jenny in Florida]

Why would I? We watched an interview with him during the Olympics, and my impresion at the time was that he was not exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He seemed pretty shallow and self-centered, too. I mean, I'm sure he's a nice enough guy, but he said right on TV that all he really does is swim, sleep, eat and watch TV. I'm sorry, but I can't get behind that as a role model for my kids.

[klmama]

Miz Booshay at Quiet Life asked today whether her readers think Michael Phelps should be given another chance after his pot smoking was made public.

I answered from the perspective of a company offering a lucrative endorsement deal, and said that because he chose to participate in an illegal activity, I wouldn't want him representing my brand.

 

But I have been thinking about how bad I feel for him and other young athletes like him. Should they really be put in the position of being a role model simply because they are gifted athletes?

 

What is it about gold metals and championship titles that makes the media and some parents hold the winners to a higher standard and say, "Don't you dare slip up! Our kids are watching you."

 

What do you think?

 

I think he's still a role model in his dedication to his sport. His total commitment to that for so many years of his life is admirable.

 

However, I understand he's also a young man with ADHD, and that he doesn't take medication for that. Obviously, impulsive behavior is still a problem that he needs to accept and deal with. I think it's unfortunate that someone so young is held to the standard of perfection. When I mention him to my dc, I will use his choices with alcohol and marijuana as examples of what not to do, and point out again that people who accomplish great things can still make foolish choices.

[abbeyej]

I think it can be useful to kids to point out that *one* aspect of someone's character may be worth emulating while another's is not. Sure, use him as a role model to discuss dedication and hard work. But we can also discuss why some other choices are ... unfortunate ... at best.

[texascamps]

I discussed this with my kids, and we all kind of feel sorry for him. But once he starts taking sponsorship money, its like he is being paid for being a role model. Once he starts showing up in ads with compnay logos on them then he becomes a spokeman or "agent" for that company.

 

 

I pointed out to my kids that sometimes when money or fame comes too fast, the celebrity feels bulletproof and feels like the rules that apply to all of us don't apply to them.

 

I think he will redeem himself over time and end up back on cereal boxes (but I bet it takes a lot of community service and advocacy to sway sponsors) and we will all be as proud of him as we were 6 months ago.:bigear:

[Jugglin'5]

Why would I? We watched an interview with him during the Olympics, and my impresion at the time was that he was not exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He seemed pretty shallow and self-centered, too. I mean, I'm sure he's a nice enough guy, but he said right on TV that all he really does is swim, sleep, eat and watch TV. I'm sorry, but I can't get behind that as a role model for my kids.

 

Yep. I don't feel like he has been knocked off a "role model" pedestal because he was never there as far as my family was concerned. I can understand the endorsement issue, but this hasn't caused me any personal angst.

[Home'scool]

I've been disappointed with him since he finished the Olympics. It seems that all he has done is party in Las Vegas and date "cocktail waitresses". I was not surprised that he was caught smoking dope.

 

I think some positions in society are held up to a higher standard.

 

A policeman driving drunk while off duty IS worse than the average Joe doing it.

 

A youth coach caught trying to solicit sex for drugs IS worse than the average Joe doing it (this happened to my daughter's softball coach)

 

A teacher downloading porn ...... you get my drift.

 

Call me judgemental, but this stuff should have been taught to him by his mother, whether he is 5 or 25. Once he won the gold medals he was going to be looked up to by people, especially kids. The whole story of how he overcame odds to do this wonderful thing goes right down the tubes when he then turns around and acts like an a*s. Guess he's just a mile wide and an inch deep.

 

The fact that he is doing this stuff shows he has zero respect for his mother or his country.

[AnnetteB]

:iagree:We are more comfortable with the dead role models, too. Less pressure on the role model...

 

I don't encourage my children to look up to anyone they don't know extremely well as a role model. With those of us in our family, the kids know we're all doing the best we can - and they see how we handle things when we make mistakes, so they see the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

Well - I might encourage them to consider maybe someone who's already dead as a role model (they can't make major mistakes, roflol).

 

I figure he's doing the best he can at this point - and it's a good lesson for kids to learn from (you are NOT alone - even when you think you're alone, or with people you trust - cameras are everywhere, even if you're not Michael Phelps! lol You never know what will show up online 5 years from now that might haunt you forever!).

 

He's a young kid, likes to have "a good time" apparently - I think he'll be fine when it's all blown over (and I'm sure that, legally, they're going to make an example of him, so he'll pay a price). I just hope he's learned from this lapse in judgment and won't make the same mistake twice. He seems like a smart guy - I'm betting this won't happen again. He just got to feeling invincible after the gold medal rush and all the attention he was getting from all sides. He forgot that, while people like to "build you up", they truly love nothing more than tearing you down - so he got careless.

[KJB]

who admit drug use, I don't understand the big deal so many people have about Phelp's drug use. I mean, as long as he says he's sorry....LOL

 

Honestly, he's a young guy who did a dumb thing. We've forgiven many before so I am a little baffled at the public outcry about Phelps' mistake. I am always surprised at our lack of consistency as a nation surrounding our public reaction to drug use.

Edited February 6, 2009 by KJB

[unsinkable]

I think it can be useful to kids to point out that *one* aspect of someone's character may be worth emulating while another's is not. Sure, use him as a role model to discuss dedication and hard work. But we can also discuss why some other choices are ... unfortunate ... at best.

 

Kinda like OJ Simpson...

[Susan A.]

For us it's not so much that he made a mistake, it is what he does from here on out that counts. There are plenty of fine people who did dumb things as a kid. Lets hope he learns his lesson.

[Danestress]

He can do what he wants. I think a lot of normal kids want to smoke pot. But I expect that his sponsors will be rethinking their commiment. That seem fair to me.

 

If you want to swim competitively into your 20s, you really need sponsorship because it's expensive to train. Phelp's makes a lot of money (a LOT of money) showing up for events where he talks to kids and basically enjoys his celebrity status. I don't care whether he continues to do that or not. I think he's a great swimmer and I wish him luck as a swimmer. But I also don't feel the least bit sorry for him. He knew the risks of smoking pot. If my kids gets caught smoking pot, it's a relatively minor criminal offense that can probably be dealt with pretty easily, but I don't feel *at all* sorry for him that he has to hire an attorney and pay some court costs and do community service.

 

More is at stake for Phelps because he as much much more on the line. I feel no more sorry for him than I would my own child. You take the risk, you know the risks, you pay the price. Simple.

 

He will recover from this and be fine. He had a DUI and it caused some discomfort, but nothing major. He still had many willing sponsors, and he still will. Kellogs may not want him because they are marketing to young children. Dell probably won't care.

[tribemama]

Having a family of swimmers - my 11year old who is enthralled with him said it best. "I look up to him as a "swimmer" - as an amazement of his gift, in wishing that I could swim even half of his speed - not his entire life. I could care less if he smokes or whatever - I didn't watch the Olympics for his family saga - I watched it to see him swim! - He is still a human being and the fact that anyone could put on him that he needs to be perfect - well, I guess they are not human because I didn't think anyone was perfect. Didn't anyone else have the saying "if your friend jumps off the cliff will you?" - or is that just you mom?"

So, yeah - if my 11 year old can think like that...

My 2cents - he needs to have a life, I can't imagine the pressure that poor boy is under - let him breathe and inhale :lol:.....

Tribemama

Mother to the Tribe

[Tammyla]

I think at 23 he isn't that young.

[nukeswife]

My husband and I were just discussing this last night. We fell he's a fairly young guy that made a bad choice. It's bound to happen. The difference between him and athletes of years past may be that now everyone seems to have a cell phone camera etc, so I'm sure many past olympians have done some pretty dumb things but it wasn't caught on camera since everyone around them wasn't carrying one in their purse or pocket.

 

As for him as a role model, he absolutely still is one that can be looked up to, he's one that I can show my kids that even those that seem to have it all can make a bad choice and have to live with the consequences. Like my dh said last night "He made a stupid mistake, but that doesn't erase the fact that he won 8 gold medals in 1 olympics and that he had one of the most taxing schedules when he did it" Just because he messed up that doesn't erase the major accomplishments he's made in swimming or erase all the time he's dedicated to being his best in the sport.

 

I honestly feel that he'll catch royal heck from his mom as she just didn't seem the type to just ignore this

 

Lastly if we can elect Former President Clinton after he said "Yeah I smoked pot but didn't inhale" (how do you do that anyway?) and then had some pretty poor judgement about what is acceptable behavior in the oval office, and still have many consider him a great President, why can't we give Michael Phelps a little slack and see him as a fairly young college kid who made a stupid mistake?

Edited February 6, 2009 by nukeswife

[AnnetteB]

Kinda like OJ Simpson...

 

Nothing about OJ Simpson to hold up.

[unsinkable]

Nothing about OJ Simpson to hold up.

 

Football fans might disagree with you.

[lionfamily1999]

I like him. Even if he is a big bad pot smoker. He's supposed to be taking time off to live for a little while (outside of swimming, eating, sleeping and watching t.v.). He worked hard to get a vacation. I just hope he doesn't end up facing some stupid, make-an-example-of-you charges. If he loses his sponsors, whatever.

[lionfamily1999]

Football fans might disagree with you.

Murder vs. smoking pot? Or b/e with a gun vs. smoking pot?

 

Closer comparison might be Magic Johnson.

[unsinkable]

Thought I'd just add this about OJ's football accomplishments:

 

Football

 

University of Southern California

Simpson earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California where he played running back in 1967 and 1968. Simpson led the nation in rushing in 1967 when he ran for 1,451 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also led the nation in rushing the next year with 355 carries for 1,709 yards.

 

In 1967, he starred in the 1967 USC vs. UCLA football game and was a Heisman Trophy candidate, but he did not win the award. His 64 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter tied the game, with the PAT the margin of victory. This was the biggest play in what is regarded as one of the greatest football games of the 20th century.[13]

 

Another dramatic touchdown in the same game is the subject of the Arnold Friberg oil painting, O.J. Simpson Breaks for Daylight. Simpson also won the Walter Camp Award in 1967 and was a two-time consensus All-American.[14] He ran in the USC sprint relay quartet that broke the world record at the NCAA track championships in Provo, Utah in June 1967.[15]

 

In 1968, he rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award that year. He still holds the record for the Heisman's largest margin of victory, defeating the runner-up by 1,750 points. In the 1969 Rose Bowl where #2 USC faced #1 Ohio State, Simpson threw a costly interception and fumbled the ball in a 16-27 loss in his final college game.[16]

 

 

NFL

The October 27, 1968 regular-season NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers was dubbed the "O.J. Bowl", as it was thought the loser would be awarded the first pick in the 1969 NFL Draft and thereby secure Simpson for the following season. The Eagles won 12–0 (on 4 field goals by Sam Baker), however, neither team drafted Simpson.

 

Simpson was drafted by the AFL's Buffalo Bills, who got first pick in the 1969 draft after finishing 1–12–1 in 1968. Early in his NFL career, Simpson struggled on poor Buffalo teams, averaging only 622 yards per season for his first three.

 

He first rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1972, gaining a total of 1,251. In 1973, Simpson rushed for a record 2,003 yards, becoming the first player ever to pass the 2,000-yard mark, and scored 12 touchdowns. Simpson gained more than 1,000 rushing yards for each of his next three seasons. From 1972 to 1976, Simpson averaged 1,540 rushing yards per (14 game) season, 5.1 yards per carry, and he won the NFL rushing title four times.

 

Simpson's 1977 season in Buffalo was cut short by injury. Before the 1978 season, the Bills traded Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers for a second round draft pick, where he played two unremarkable seasons.

 

Simpson gained 11,236 rushing yards, placing him 2nd on the NFL's all-time rushing list; he now stands at 17th. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1973, and played in six Pro Bowls. He was the only player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14 game season. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility.

 

There are people who admire him a ballplayer but not a man, which I think is what this thread touches upon.

 

I am NOT one of those people.

[unsinkable]

Murder vs. smoking pot? Or b/e with a gun vs. smoking pot?

Closer comparison might be Magic Johnson.

 

Neither. A point was made about one aspect of a person's character being worth emulating while another aspect is not worth emulating.

 

People in my part of the country think this about OJ Simpson.

[Daisy]

My honest opinion? Hmmm...

 

1. I think endorsements are a waste of money. I don't appreciate the whole paying people tons of money in order to sell our product mentality. Don't watch tv. Don't watch commericals. Don't care if Mr. So-in-So eats Kix or wears Nike.

 

2. I don't think someone should be "looked up to" on the basis of how fast they swim, how many hoops they make, or how well they run. We look up to Jesus. So the degree in which you follow Christ, is the degree to which we hold you up as a role model.

 

3. Character is EVERYTHING. Without it, you have NOTHING. I don't care how fast you swim.

 

And that is what I teach my children.

Edited February 6, 2009 by Daisy

[lionfamily1999]

Neither. A point was made about one aspect of a person's character being worth emulating while another aspect is not worth emulating.

 

People in my part of the country think this about OJ Simpson.

Wow... as much as I loved him in the Naked Gun movies, his criminal issues are big enough that I would not want to set him up as a role model at all. Crazy. Where are you at?

[unsinkable]

Wow... as much as I loved him in the Naked Gun movies, his criminal issues are big enough that I would not want to set him up as a role model at all. Crazy. Where are you at?

 

Buffalo. He played for the Bills.

[Julie in CA]

I think it's unfortunate that someone so young is held to the standard of perfection.

He's not exactly a kid. I haven't been that up-to-date on him or his situation, but I do object to the media grouping him in as a "kid". He's many years beyond the age that I (and the law) consider someone an adult.

 

Also, I don't believe that what he's being held to is a standard of perfection--simply not breaking very clear laws of our land would be enough to keep me off his back! :confused:

 

With all that said though, there's no pedestal for him to be knocked off of around here. I've tried to impress upon my dc how to recognize really *great* achievements and the folks who achieve them. You know, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, feeding people spiritually, those are the heroes in my eyes, and hopefully the heroes of my children too.

[bettyandbob]

OK, I gotta say the things OJ has been accused of are far worse than taking a hit from a bong. The only comparison is that they are both gifted athletes.

 

It really bothers me that we thrust athletes and celebrities into the category "role model." I think Charles Barkley was always adament in interviews about not being a role model. I always thought he was right about athletes in general. I believe he also said that "role model" was a parent's responsibility. I think he was right on that too.

 

Phelps is a role model for his work ethic when he is in training. After both the 2004 and 2008 olympics he took breaks and he had trouble during those unstructured periods.

 

He is a young man who has ADHD and probably has had such a structured life with training that he has never had a chance to learn how manage unstructured time or how to deal with impulse control during unstructured time. He should face what ever legal consequences he has to face. I have sympathy for the fact that he has to face consequences in public whereas the rest of us would not end up on national news for these problems. He's been in the public eye since his first olympics in 2000 when he was 15 and the youngest American male swimmer in 32 years. I suspect the constant monitoring of his time for training never gave him the chance to learn how to conduct himself and now he has to learn it as an adult in the public eye, not as a kid at home without the glare of "news". It also appears he's still learning he can't trust all his "friends"--whoever sold that picture probably made a lot of money.

 

So, if you look at his training ethic, he is a model for an athlete in training. Otherwise, not a role model.

[lionfamily1999]

Buffalo. He played for the Bills.

See, and my expanisive knowledge of his career begins and ends with being wheelchair bound while Leslie Neilson pushed him off a balcony...

 

lol I'm a goof, sorry.

[Jenny in Atl]

Athletes, celebrities, etc... have always done dumb things like do drugs and behave badly. Only difference these days, is that almost everyone has a camera with them at all times (the cell phone). It's just so easy to get caught.

[Haiku]

Role models are people who make the world a better place. Athletes, movie stars, and musicians, no matter how talented, attractive, or personable, are not making the world a better place simply by being talented, attractive, and personable athletes, movie stars, and musicians. They are entertaining us, but that's not the same thing.

 

For that reason and because of the track record of so-called entertainment role models ending up embarrassed by their actions, I do not hold them up as role models. My husband is a Steeler fan and a Penguins fan. The kids have favorite sports figures from these teams, and they are aware that some of these people do charitable work as well. We admire the athletes for their abilities on the field and we appreciate that they entertain us, but we are very open with the kids about star status not being the same as being a positive force in the world. When we admire entertainers for their charitable work, it's completely aside from their entertainment status.

 

On the flip side, when someone chooses to pursue an activity that puts him or her in the public light, that person has to accept the fact that what they do will most likely not be private. I don't hold public figures to higher standards than "regular folks," but I do think that people who pursue an activity of public interest need to be aware that their more unsavory activities will be fodder for public discussion and not complain when people have something to say to it.

 

It reminds me of some teen starlet (I think Britney Spears) who complained that she shouldn't be called a tramp for the way she dresses because she only wears a costume when she performs and she doesn't dress that way when she goes to the grocery. My response to that was, seven year old girls who idolize you don't see you going to the grocery, they only see you dressing like a tramp onstage. Dress however you want, but don't complain when someone calls you out on it.

 

Is Michael Phelps a role model? Not in my opinion. He's merely a talented swimmer.

 

Tara

[FloridaLisa]

But I have been thinking about how bad I feel for him and other young athletes like him. Should they really be put in the position of being a role model simply because they are gifted athletes?

 

What is it about gold metals and championship titles that makes the media and some parents hold the winners to a higher standard and say, "Don't you dare slip up! Our kids are watching you."

 

Well, signing million-dollar endorsement deals (like the front of the Wheaties box) was a purposeful decision to bask in the public eye. And that comes with a cost. Perhaps being an athelete alone would not make him a public figure (though legally he is), but appearing on the talk show circuit and earning millions of dollars from endorsements throws you right into the public figure category in my book.

 

So, no. While I hate to see him in a bad spot and certainly hate, hate, hate that yet another sports hero has disappointed for young kids and teens, he's got to count the cost of his actions.

 

Lisa

Edited February 6, 2009 by FloridaLisa

[Highereducation]

The way I see it, he's not sorry he did it - he's sorry he got caught.

 

From many reports, since the end of the Olympics, this guy has been partying hard and often. I highly doubt this was an isolated incident. I highly doubt this was his first time partaking. And regardless of just how much casual drug use has become a societal norm, it's still illegal. And I would bet money that he's well aware of that.

 

When Phelps signed on to do all those lucrative endorsements, he knew what he was getting into. He knew that his behavior - in and out of the pool - would be held to a certain level of accountability. He accepted the money, therefore he should have kept his reputation clean. In this day and age, there's always a camera around, and while I don't expect the guy to sit home for the rest of his life, there are many other ways to blow off steam. Would anyone care if he drank like a fish every night? Probably not, so long as he didn't get behind the wheel.

 

Bottom line, he broke the law. Rationalizing it by saying other people have done the same thing doesn't make it right.

[Elaine]

Given that we elect public officials to high offices who admit drug use, I don't understand the big deal so many people have about Phelp's drug use. I mean, as long as he says he's sorry....LOL

 

Honestly, he's a young guy who did a dumb thing. We've forgiven many before so I am a little baffled at the public outcry about Phelps' mistake. I am always surprised at our lack of consistency as a nation surrounding our public reaction to drug use.

 

I totally agree. We elected presidents who admitted to drug use and extra-marital affairs, and DUIs for pete's sake. He's a swimmer, not a world leader.

 

He did a stupid thing and got caught. I have done lots of stupid things, I just haven't had them posted on You Tube. Yet.;)

 

Seriously, he's a kid. I don't think what he did was wise, but I am not ready to throw stones at him for it.

[Mrs.W]

If he didn't want to be considered a role model he shouldn't have a biography, encouraging people to follow their dreams. Each chapter had a character trait like perseverance or commitment as it's theme. In his book he talks about how ashamed of himself he was for drinking and driving 4 years ago. How does that make him look now? :glare:

 

Nevertheless, he's still a great swimmer and a lot can be learned from him. My 11 year old, who also swims competively, loved the book (after I used white-out on a few passages!) and really admires his work ethic. We had a great discussion on how we disagree with his criticism of people who don't swim on Sundays, so I think it's possible for children to separate their admiration of the athlete from the person.

 

He knew the responsibility he had, and blew it. But it's also not going to stop us from cheering him on in future meets.

Edited February 6, 2009 by argsmommy

[Colleen]

Why would I? We watched an interview with him during the Olympics, and my impresion at the time was that he was not exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He seemed pretty shallow and self-centered, too. I mean, I'm sure he's a nice enough guy, but he said right on TV that all he really does is swim, sleep, eat and watch TV. I'm sorry, but I can't get behind that as a role model for my kids.

 

Well said.

 

ETA: Also...

 

I answered from the perspective of a company offering a lucrative endorsement deal, and said that because he chose to participate in an illegal activity, I wouldn't want him representing my brand.

 

I wouldn't either if someone seriously screwed up. (Smoking pot doesn't qualify, imo.) Seems perfectly reasonable to me. You want me to pay you mega-bucks to represent our brand? You bet I'm gonna hold you to a higher standard!

 

But I have been thinking about how bad I feel for him and other young athletes like him. Should they really be put in the position of being a role model simply because they are gifted athletes?

 

If they choose to be in that position, so be it. No one's forcing these people to accept million dollar deals.

 

Edited February 7, 2009 by Colleen
addition

[PiCO]

Further, today the connection was made (in conversation) here locally, that anyone doing pot in the States in contributing to the awful drug wars along the Texas border with Mexico.

 

 

Maybe he grows his own. ;) Maybe it's for medical use? :tongue_smilie:

 

No, really- I think he has bad judgement. I don't think a young person smoking post is any worse for them than drinking (but it is illegal.) I wonder who took the picture and spread it around. That person is not a good role model either!

 

I think this should affect his future endorsements, but I really don't know if it will.

[EKS]

You know--here's what I am always telling my kids: People are complicated. Someone can be a fabulous role model for one aspect of life without being perfect in every other aspect.

[cathmom]

He's not a kid. He's 23! I was married and had a child at 23.

[dawn of ns]

You know--here's what I am always telling my kids: People are complicated. Someone can be a fabulous role model for one aspect of life without being perfect in every other aspect.

 

Amen! I really resent the idea that for people to be worthy of being role models they have to be perfect. If we have confident kids who can think critically surely they can look at someone, admire and take lessons from part of their life and leave aside other parts.

[Haiku]

If we have confident kids who can think critically surely they can look at someone, admire and take lessons from part of their life and leave aside other parts.

 

I don't know. I guess, to me, that kinda negates the idea of a role model. To me, a role model is someone who lives their life in an admirable way, a way we would want to emulate. It's perfectly fine to say, "This part of the person's life is admirable but that part is not," but then, to me, that person is no longer a role model. He or she is then a person who does something well but is not a person whom, overall, we would want to emulate.

 

Tara

[Catherine]

is a local hero. I disagree that he's not worthy of admiration. He worked HARD, very hard, for many years. For me, that is a trait I'd love to see my kids emulate, whether it resulted in them being the best, or not. So many problems I see are the result of laziness.

 

OTOH, as others have pointed out, people are not one-dimensional. Prominent people and ordinary people make mistakes and do dumb things. His weaknesses have caught up with him. I think he's a great example for my kids of how to think ahead to avoid putting oneself in situations that might prove too tempting, or might result in loss of self-control. Michael's capable of it, and I hope he learns it soon.

[pqr]

I could care less if he smokes or whatever - I didn't watch the Olympics for his family saga - I watched it to see him swim! - So, yeah - if my 11 year old can think like that...

 

My 2cents - he needs to have a life, I can't imagine the pressure that poor boy is under - let him breathe and inhale .....

Mother to the Tribe

 

I am sorry but I vehemently disagree. I care and so should everybody else.

1. He has broken the law.

2. His behavior supports a criminal network that results in horror all over the world.

3. Your 11 year old may be smart enough to see past this but many others are not. Further when he did what he did, Phelps was demonstrating that he did not care about your 11 year old or any other child that looks to him.

4. He violated a trust that his sponsors placed on him when he signed contracts.

 

Therefore he is a man of no character.

 

There was, however, a day when character counted and people, especially parents, would never stand for this type of thing.

 

The likes of Phelps, Magic Johnson, Rose and assorted other moral midgets compare not at all with real athletes of character such as Eric Liddell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Liddell .

 

I never buy something based solely on whose face is on the box, but sometimes I do not buy based on that fact. If Phelps ever gets another advertizing contract I, for one, would refuse to buy anything he endorsed.

 

The admonitions that he is a young man and must be allowed his mistakes, simply do not fly. 18 year olds are dying in Iraq and displaying true character, I expect a spoilt 23 year old to be able to stay away from drugs. This is especially true from one who is driven enough to win gold. He must know what work and dedication are, as well as denial of things that may impact his swimming. That he would smoke drugs can only be because he simply does not care. Hopefully now that his wallet has been hit he will.

 

Alas it is not only in the athletic community that we see this. One only needs to look at Hollywood to see further evidence of the malaise that has afflicted our nation. I recently found an interesting website. Can anyone imagine the likes of Penn, Sarandon, Robbins et al displaying something as simple as the patriotism that these actors of yesteryear displayed. http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/flipside.html

 

Weak men will behave as weak men, but we as parents should be vocal in our condemnation of them, not make excuses.

[SquirrellyMama]

Yeah, I think it's a bit harsh to expect these folks to not make any mistakes. I personally think "meh" with regard to pot smoking. That bothers me far less than, say, steroid use or drunk driving (didn't he have a problem with that, too?).

 

I don't think we are expecting them not to mess up but we are telling them there are consequences when you do. Too many young people see athletes today doing stupid stuff and getting away with it.

 

I'm sure Micheal Phelps can come back from this and that is fine. They need to see that you can make a mistake, pay the consequence and then come back.

 

Kelly

[Demal]

"

Can anyone imagine the likes of Penn, Sarandon, Robbins et al displaying something as simple as the patriotism that these actors of yesteryear displayed. http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/flipside.html"

 

Some of these actors of yesteryear were critics of the wars in Vietnam and/or Iraq. Off the top of my head, I know that Henry Fonda and Charles Durning were such critics. That website also omits mention of the following Hollywood celebrities, all of whom were veterans and opposed the wars in Vietnam and/or Iraq: Paul Newman, Robert Altman, Gore Vidal, Kurt Vonnegut, James Garner, Oliver Stone.

Edited February 7, 2009 by Demal
added quotation marks because I messed up the quote block

[pqr]

I am not claiming that some veterans did not oppose subsequent wars. The point is that they at least spoke from knowlege. The Sarandons et al do not. Opposing a war is fine, the comments and actions of Penn are not. (Henry Fonda would never have behaved as his daughter did, despite any opposition to a war). Anyway we are probably coming to close to the ban on political discourse.

[Gretchen in NJ]

It distresses me that he also had a DUI a couple of years ago. To me, that was his first warning.

 

I do hold him to a high standard, but, frankly, it's the standard I hold every man and woman to...do the right thing. We are all examples. However, he has achieved fame in sports. Companies want him to influence my buying decisions. That means I'm also influenced by his negative behavior.

 

I also don't understand the argument that 'everyone' does pot and we should leave him alone to enjoy his private life. Not everyone does pot. Further, today the connection was made (in conversation) here locally, that anyone doing pot in the States in contributing to the awful drug wars along the Texas border with Mexico.

 

So, yeah. I hold him to a standard and think his decision was more than regrettable.

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

I think he needs to pay for his mistakes. We can forgive him, but he needs to pay. Let's see what he will do. Maybe, he can become an example of what not to do. It would not be good if nogthing happened to him. It wouldn't be good for him, his fans, USA swimming, or our country.

[Gretchen in NJ]

He's a GREAT role model--he worked his butt off for something he wanted and he got it. Then he fell. This is SO TYPICAL and he is being made to pay the price. I want my son to see this. Not to hate Michael Phelps but to respect what he did right and learn from what he did wrong, and to see that he is NOT super-human.

 

I don't hold these guys to a higher standard. Phelps did a great job swimming and setting out to do something big and doing the hard work to make it happen. I could never have done that.

 

I also have never smoked pot. I've never been under the temptations he was to do so. How can I judge him?

 

I hope Phelps takes the Tiger Woods turn in the path and not the John Daly one. His past indicates to me that he will do the Woods route--I hope he does.

 

I hope so too Patty. :001_smile: