Celebrities

Michael Phelps. Still a Role Model?

By Jessica at Parenting.com on Monday, February 2, 11:55 am EST

What do you do when a celebrity role model slips up?

Recently, Michael Phelps was exposed smoking pot.

From CBS News: "A photo wound up in a British tabloid Sunday, forcing Phelps to publicly apologize and his handlers to deal with sponsors whom observers say are surely none-too-pleased about the swimmer's choices away from the pool."

On one hand, I just don't care. His life is his to live.

On the other hand, if I had a child who worshiped Michael Phelps, I'd have some serious explaining to do on Phelps' behalf. Not a fun conversation!

Update -- Parenting editor, Lisa Bain, was interviewed by AP this week and had this to say: "Any conversation you can have with your kids about the choices people make, especially those they hold up as role models, is a good thing." Read the whole story.

What do you think? Leave a comment, and take our poll.

Superstar Interview: Michael Phelps
A Mom to Live By: Debbie Phelps

What is more interesting to

2/3/2009 at 6:39 am

What is more interesting to me is why our culture elevates athletes into major celebrities, as we do pop stars and actors, and then makes the leap that these people are, automatically, role models. There are many, many role models out there, sprinkled throughout history, people that have gone above and beyond their own limitations and lives to effect change, to make the world a better place. But a 23 year-old athlete? Maybe not. He isn't obligated to be perfect just because he is a phenomenal swimmer. It is our own obsession with sports that creates this strange need for athletes to be "heroes" and then treats them as we would movie stars-who also deserve a little privacy too. The best conversation you could have with your child(ren)? One in which you look for real role models, and a cautionary warning not to put anyone, even a gold-medal-winning athlete, on a pedestal. Because nobody's perfect.

Anonymous

Oh yes he is a role model!

2/3/2009 at 5:44 pm

Children and young teenagers will not support you on this one! Take your head out of the sand!!

Anonymous

phelps is just a man/boy

2/3/2009 at 6:00 pm

...after giving away so many years of his youth to attain this level of athleticism - he deserves a break - lets give him one. Don't be a jerk... If he was in college this would be a non-issue, but b/c some dolts decide that he must be a certain way this creates a false issue.

Anonymous

If he were in college he

2/3/2009 at 8:13 pm

If he were in college he wouldn't have multi-million dollar endorsement deals with sponsors who depend on him to uphold his wholesome image that appeals to the majority of this country who are far more conservative than yourself. I'm not saying I agree with the criminalization of marijuana but it is the law and he did break it. Let's face it, he's not sorry he did it, he's just sorry he got caught.

alysa

According to whom? Who made

2/3/2009 at 9:37 pm

According to whom? Who made him a role model and an idol? People really need to stop putting ministers, athletes and actors on a pedestal. They are just men. Have you ever thought that they may not want that title? and just want to swim, ball, act or preach. A drunk can deliver the word of God if the Lord puts it in his heart, he can deliver a message to someone passing him by on the street and it can be a message that has an everlasting impact on ones life. Is he then an idol or a role model, I think not. And I suppose you nor you children have never or will never make a mistake or a bad choice, right?

Maigua

Michael Phelps

2/3/2009 at 10:24 pm

You are right! Give the guy a break! Why people judge others like demi gods, they are humans And by the way, nobody can`t take away his wonderful performance, not even pot

richtheg

Role Model beyond the talent and creditability he earned

2/4/2009 at 4:15 am

I agree with alysa's point of view. The person(s) to whom we label role models are those people we admire for their proven talent, success and the "How to" or the way in which they achieved their success. If reporters of public venues get credit for exposures of Role Models to destroy them it is them who created the role model and then destroyed it with their own talent to be a successful by destroying a public person. Any success, whether a swimmer or reporter, is appreciated by all or the few who are interested in their talent or field of choice. Michael is a world class talent. Seen by millions while performing to the highest levels a talent only accomplished none before him. Most important is what Michael did to prepare for that success, what ever he did to prepare made him. As for Michael, He has nothing to be sorry by smoking weed. He should not be viewed as bad for anything outside of the role in which he became successful. That is swimming. Smoking weed had nothing to do with swimming. Nor, could he have accomplished the highest level achievement without the years and thousands of hours he devoted to swimming. Michael trained hard and the results came. Thus, the role model he must be awarded is for the success and how he got there.

ex-swimmer

got to agree

2/4/2009 at 5:17 am

hello, Im from other country so i dont really think this guy as a rolemodel. Still i got to agree fully. Plus as an fellow competive swimmer [tho now quited one] i want to say that guy like this never had really childhood and 23-years aint anyway old. I can say this by experience as when i was 16 i were top3 of my country. But i quited because i wanted to do what teenagers do. Not swim everyday hours and hours. The otherguys keeped going and well they still top even if not as good as this guy. The point is that he aint super human and he havent even got that much life yet other than swimming. So no 23-years aint old or too old to use ¨the card¨. I do acknowledge the fact that he broke law and disapointed sponsors and some ppl. But i too think that its half fault of these ppl themself to expect and to raise these people up to godlike pedestal. Also for kids and talks with em. This should be very good situation to teach them what is it to be human and not to teach em to glamor highlife. T. Ex-swimmer

Sam

Role model

2/4/2009 at 6:50 am

I still don't understand why we keep calling him a role model. He did something great in a sport, even though he did close to the same thing in 04' and then preceeded to go out and get an under age DUI. He is a great role model for kids who have a dream, but he is definatley not a role model for the celebration. He is not a role model. Obama, Cary.....ect... these are role models, not some guy who plays a game. He proved when surrounded by people his own age, he is just as much of an idiot as they are, Some Role model. His speech for apology sounded just like the one from 04', so sorry Michael I'm not buying it. Speaking as a father now, I believe him to be a great son, the way he acts towards his mom, but as a grownup he still needs some guidance. He hasn't been allowed to grow up yet, so he was just acting age appropriate. My biggest question where the idiot that brought the dope to the party? Why haven't the police gotten involved, I'm pretty sure University of South carolina frowns on this sort of behavior from their upstanding students. There should be a rule, We should not allow the media to exploit anyone under the age of 25. Give the youth a time to grow into adulthood. If we were to examine Michaels life, it probably wasn't really a life that our own children led. He probably hasn't had the chance to mentaly get past being an 18 or 19 y/o. i don't mean to ramble, But as a society we have done this to ourselves time and time again. WE MAKE THE ROLE MODELS, THEIR JUST TRYING BE THE BEST AT A SPORT. Why do we pick sport figures, why can't we teach our kids that the Dr. who is trying to cancer is a hero. Why can't we at least TRY to show them a different way to look at stuff. NAH nevermind were to hung up and immature ourselves. I hope this might change even one person's mind to talk about it out loud. Just 1 man's opinion.

Anonymous

oh please, it's as if no

2/3/2009 at 4:59 pm

oh please, it's as if no ones ever smoked pot before. It's pot people, not crack. I'm sure the majority of people judging him right now have at least tried it once in their lives. He didn't ask to be put up on this pedestal, his talent put him in the spotlight and demanding he be holier than thou is unfair. This country needs to get off the bible belt and relax. As for the endorsements, who cares, if it wasn't in his contract to stay off drugs they should not drop him.

Swimfan

This is news?

2/3/2009 at 5:10 pm

Who cares if this dude lights up? Didn't seem to hurt his performance any, now did it? If you're worried about your kids, remind them that they are not being raised by Phelps, or any other star athlete, pop star or movie star, they are being raised by YOU. And they should do as you say, period. Stop looking for "perfection" in other people and learn to be the kind of person you want your child to be.

Anonymous

Bravo!!!

2/3/2009 at 6:08 pm

Bravo!!!

Chris

Really? Let the man spark up...

2/3/2009 at 5:15 pm

Michael Phelps is a young athletic man. If he wants to spark one up, I say go for it. He is not smoking crack, snorting cocaine, or shooting heroin. This is more of an argument of whether or not pot should be legalized than it is news. I don't smoke pot, but I don't care if anyone else does, so unless he is out robbing houses or pawning his gold medal to buy it, then let it go.

Anonymous

So because he's not smoking

2/3/2009 at 7:50 pm

So because he's not smoking crack, snorting cocaine or shooting heroin, it's okay? Marijuana is still an illegal drug! Yes, he is 23 but is that a valid excuse? If we continue to argue that his age is what makes participating in illegal activities okay, then what's the point? Then we simply should not have any rules or laws because something as simple as age can be used to defend illegal actions.

Anonymous

we should hold up the skunky

2/3/2009 at 5:35 pm

we should hold up the skunky friend who sold to the scummy tabloid as role models?

Anonymous

...not sure what you mean by

2/3/2009 at 6:03 pm

...not sure what you mean by this, but if you mean we should hang the guy/gal who took the pic and sold it to the media by their genitalia? Then yes I agree... Total scum.

pegy

Michael P. smoking pot

2/3/2009 at 5:36 pm

Alot of places you have to go through drug tests for even a job at Wal-Mart... What makes him anymore special then anyone else. Whats against the law is against the law.

Anonymous

Worst behavior makes this ok???

2/3/2009 at 5:38 pm

I cannot understand why no one has come forward in these blogs to respond to you all! Smoking pot is illegal first, second accepting and excusing unacceptable behavior is exactly why our country is lacking in character representation. Behave yourself when you are representing our county, have some integrity!

Anonymous

*worst* behavior? - maybe

2/3/2009 at 6:08 pm

*worst* behavior? - maybe you needed to step away from the pipe yourself and go to English class. If a person commits a "crime" that has no victim, then it is at most a very trivial offense. He was hurting no one... except for perhaps himself. That is his right as a human being to decide how he intends to act... You should not be a hater. Hey Phelps, Smoke up buddy! You earned it. :)

OVA53

WHY THE DRAMA

2/3/2009 at 6:21 pm

I am over 53 and have raised 5 children. Television actors, musicians nor athletes were my children "idols". It is time for parents to become the "idol" to their own children. Set realistic goals, based on your child and then train them right.....they may stary, but they will come back. I PROMISE.....Phelps is a "young person" doing the same thing that all young people do/did (including those of us over 53). He smoked a little "pot"....that should be his private concern, not the world.....the media should back off and let him be young....

Adelle

Mike Phelps

2/3/2009 at 6:27 pm

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," No kidding! He almost jeopardized millions in endorsement revenue. What was he thinking? Oh, and there is that ‘role model’ thing too. As if I care what Mr Phelps does on his time off – as long as he doesn’t drink, smoke, do drugs, has recreational sex (especially outside of marriage), appears nude or topless (even where misguided lawmakers deem it to be legal) or is a member of a non-conformist religion. We really need to stop buying into this.

Anonymous

Phelps Rocks, whats sad is this is news

2/3/2009 at 6:36 pm

Common the 2nd Great Depression is kicking off, our government has blown our money and is now blowing our children children’s money "not that I think the country will make it another 20 years" and we are worried about some supper stud hitting the bong. The dollar is crashing, food is getting expensive people out there are hurting. Reminder folks last time things were this bad it ended in a little something called WWII. What else is sad besides this news is the hundreds and hundreds of millions wasted on the Drug war, Call off the drug war, redirect the money and resources into education programs for are kids for 12 hours a day 7 days a week. Some good old schooling then followed by sports and others, and weekends of activities. Give them something better to do then hang out at the mall daring each other to steel bras from Macys and smoking weed. That’s how you solve the problem folks, besides at the rate the Government and FED is bankrupting our once great Nation, we are all going to be working 24/7 in the Chinese swet shops, --- or is it time for some of our own medicine . Smoke a joint press and focus on the real issues. Phips rock on and keep doing what you do, I am proud of you.

John

Michael Phelps - oh the horror

2/3/2009 at 6:41 pm

Let's not be too quick to judge. It's not like he got caught with a needle in a vein. Besides this is all after the fact and should not reflect on his accomplishments at the Olympics.

Anonymous

He that is without fault, cast the 1st stone.Umm. Can't find 1!

2/3/2009 at 7:12 pm

He worked hard for each of his medals... What he does not diminish his accomplishments, it may however affect his influence. No, he should not be smoking pot; which is illegal, or smoking cigarettes, or drinking in excess, or even sleeping around with multiple partners, and the list goes on and on. But he is human ... After all... He has been training strenously for years, months, weeks and days... And the truth be told he probably needs it... What is your vice?

Anonymous

my vice isn't illegal.

2/3/2009 at 7:52 pm

my vice isn't illegal.

Joe P

Phelps...

2/3/2009 at 7:46 pm

There is a general issue in our society in general. We expect others to forgive us our wrongs and write off our mistakes. In schools they have moved towards protecting the emotions rather than having high performers and low performers and winners and losers. It is time people were accountable for their choices. If they are not accountable, while will their choices and the choices of others change. My opinion he was a great performer but no longer deserves to be considered a role model.

Blanche

Michael Phelps

2/3/2009 at 8:26 pm

I guess most people think Michael like so many others who are in the public eye should walk on water. He made a mistake, seriously, I am not perfect, I give him alot of credit for coming clean right away. Not hemming and hawing about it. Maybe this is a good time to talk to your kids about it. They should realize that he is human and worked hard to earn those medals; but they should also realize that there are other ways to relax. He is still a kid. I hope he doesn't lose the endorsements. I hope he can use this as an opportunity to teach kids not to do drugs and not to drink and drive.

Chandran

Human beings are role models

2/3/2009 at 9:30 pm

Why do we create superstars and celebrities? Did they ask to be role models? I believe showing their human nature only makes them better role models; especially when they make a mistake, learn from it and continue to carry on with their lives despite the mistakes. I think that is what I would teach my kids; to learn from mistakes, accept responsibility and continue to excel. Humans make mistakes; Is a role model one that hides his mistake and continues to make mistakes or One that makes mistakes, publicly acknowledges it and continues to excel?

Kennyt123

Michael Phelps Role Model?

2/3/2009 at 9:36 pm

When a person is paid insane sums of money, the least he could do is keep a squeaky-clean reputation. We're in a major financial calamity and I think it's deplorable that someone in his position can be excused because of his "youth". Remember, he's done this before, four years earlier. To say he'll never do this again is laughable. I hope Sheriff Leon Lott brings charges against him. He's stupid and overpaid. His Mother is probably more embarrassed.

Anonymous

I am with you, I hope

2/3/2009 at 10:11 pm

I am with you, I hope charges are brought against him, to send a message to all these high and mighty celebs who think they can get away with this.

Anonymous

Michael Phelps should lose his endorsements

2/3/2009 at 10:07 pm

During the olympics, I thought he was great and I cheered for him. But, now with this smoking "pot", I think he should lose all his emdorsements. He is not a role model any more, and we should push him to the side and move on. These "people" who has it all, think they can act any way they want and we will just forgive them. I say "nuts", they need to be be taught a lesson, and lets start here.

Recoil

performance enhancing LOL

2/3/2009 at 10:13 pm

Performance enhancing drugs.... this guy did it on weed... Imagine how fast he would be if he didn't smoke. shame on you Phelps you could have broken the records by even more.. LOL

Anonymous

Give me a break

2/3/2009 at 11:17 pm

This is a no win. A lot of people don't believe that MJ should be illegal. I don't smoke it but I don't believe it should be illegal. I see it like alchohol. Regulate it, tax it, make the governement a ton of money. In short, who cares if the guy toked up on his off time.

Akburn

I'm so sure, ITs WEED.. OMG!!!

2/3/2009 at 11:29 pm

ITs not like he was shooting meth or roiding out.... He's smokin' a lil pot..... Trust me Everyone does something weather its prescription pills, Diet pills (which can be amphetamines) Alcohol.... Give him a break, Ill be smoking till Im dead. like some of the judges in my town..... and police officers and Doctors and professors and millions of other people in this country. There are laws in some cities to decriminalize ie. san fran, denver, not to mention British Colombia Legalize it already. don't be fooled by the propaganda that is spewed on commercials and stupid stories like this. Bunch of Zealots.

Ben

How often do we see a

2/4/2009 at 12:01 am

How often do we see a celebrity openly admit to a failure and take responsibility for it?

AnnAnniie

Age is irrelevant!

2/4/2009 at 12:10 am

I am so disappointed to his apology. "I'm 23..blah, blah, blah". I really feel bad of his mom, a single mother, a principal. How could she face the school, the students?! Michael Phelps, 23 is an adult. Don't play the innocent game. You went to U of Michigan and you had record of DUI. Tons of advertisers pay you to be a role model, not a party animal who takes ILLEGAL drugs. I wish all advertisers drop you for endorsement and I am still try to find a way to explain to my kids that you are NOT a role model nor a hero.

Robdiego

Michael Phelps

2/4/2009 at 2:14 am

Oh, come now everyone. About half of you out there failed to pass proper judgment 4 years ago when you re-elected the most idiotic president this country has ever had and will probably ever see. Now, we want to judge a 23 yo kid for smoking weed? Most kids, including mine, would shake their head and realize that he isn't anything special. My kids get it. Many won't, obviously, because you were too ignorant or stupid to get Bush the hell out of office.

Melanie

Give him a break! Let it

2/4/2009 at 3:45 am

Give him a break! Let it die.

Anonymous

Michael Phelps

2/4/2009 at 6:50 am

What a goofball--not only does he look goofy, he acts goofy as well! just another arrogant athlete who thinks he's above the law and can get away with anything. He needs to go in hiding and not resurface until he acts like he has a brain.

orangemama

learning from your mistakes

2/19/2009 at 7:52 pm

At this moment in time, I am inclined to give him another chance. Yes, as others have noted, he is 23 but physical age and his maturity age may not be one and the same. As a swimmer, high schooler, and college student, he has spent countless hours either in the pool, in a classroom, or somewhere doing homework. Knowing just the average life of a swimmer plus student (not even one training for the Olympics), he has likely had very little time in his life to well, experience life. Yes, I agree, experiencing life with a illegal drug was inappropriate but let's hope he learns from his mistake including loss of a sponsor/revenue, public backlash, suspension, and any other adverse repercussions. Also, I applaud Parenting for posting this question and including the mini interview in their print magazine.

Anonymous

Its pot not crack, not

3/28/2009 at 3:32 pm

Its pot not crack, not alcohol, not heroin all of which can ruin your life way worse than a little pot. Its a natrual plant thats prolly been on this earth forever. How many deaths do you see from pot. Now how many do you see from alcohol, crack, heroin, prescription drugs. People act like its so bad but half of the world has tried it or smokes it now. For gods sake its used for medical purposes too. Cant be all that bad if it helps cancer patients and people who have other diseases. Think we need to focus on some other celebs who get away with way worse crimes than smoking a bong! Give the kid a break!

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