Michael Phelps. What can I say that hasn't been said by all the commentators this weekend? In case you live in a box, this week a picture of American Hero Phelps having a bong hit appeared in a British tabloid (News of The World article here). It seems the world can't believe that Phelps had a bong hit. Uh - this is the same guy who was caught drunk driving at 19 years old. Why is anyone surprised? I just think of comedian Jo Koy's piece on Michael Phelps and how he's Superman in the pool and Forrest Gump when he takes his swimming cap off (check video here.)
What is it about heroes that makes fans believe that they are perfect? If there is one thing that we are taught in stories and the news it's that heroes are human. They have faults and skeletons in the closet. Those faults are what make their conquests so special. Overcoming faults and obstacles make the triumphs taste better.
As far as Phelps screwing up his endorsements and such, hey, he's 23 -he's stupid. 23 year-olds think about sex, partying and eating, The fact that Phelps was only caught messing up one previous time is a freak of nature.
Besides, lets face it. We've all seen the articles and interviews. Outside of the pool, the guy is a bit of a dweeb. The fact that chicks finally dig him and everyone wants to know him was too much pressure for poor Mike. A source even describes him as "holding court" when he goes out to bars. More power to him.
Bottom line? Does anyone really care? Women dig a bad boy more than a jock. The Olympic Committee has made it clear that since the puffs took place after the games and he has admitted responsibility, they are sure he will be a better role model in the future. His fans (over 50%) forgive him and the media will remember when we get closer to the next Olympic games, but does that really matter? He may lose some endorsements, but how many millions does one man really need?
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1 comment:
Dude this is all Bullshit, how do people idolize athletes as heroes and role models? You play a game for fun! I'm a sports fan, and a Phelps fan before and after this. Know why? Cause Idon't care! I have no need to forgive him, because who the hell am I to forgive? I don't know him, pay his rent, suck his deeznutz or anything for that matter! The real heroes are the guys fighting a bullshit war and the ones trying to get some son of a bitch hiding in a cave. Also the ones who get shot and run into burning buildings trying to save our monkey asses from bad guys/things. Who gives a rat's ass if some swimmer smokes some weed? Or if a baseball player took some juice? Not I. I have far more important things to worry about. I will still watch him, and all these other "heroes" when I want to be entertained by them, but aside from that my sun still rises and sets the same no matter what someone puts in their body. Unless Phelps becomes a crackhead and tries to rob me, or A-Rod goes on a Roid-Rage(a fiction in and of itself) and tries to kill me I can't waste my time giving a half of a shit...I'm out!
Peace.
Thad
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