The incident is once again a reminder that sports heroes, movie stars, politicians, and basically celebrities in general, are no angels and are not really worthy to be worshipped as gods or even as idols. Yes, many have inspiring stories to tell, and many can set examples that we can learn from, but like anyone who has ever lived on this face of the earth, they are not perfect individuals. While I still marvel at Michael Phelps’ incredible prowess in the pool, why should I look beyond the individual of the pool and feel he is somehow a superior being? Superior in the pool? Absolutely? A person to learn from? In certain aspects? Someone to become my god? Absolutely not.If we can move away from this idol-worshiping state in our society, we’d be disappointed far fewer times, and we actually would be better for it. Some people, in particular, would be much better off growing out of this state where a person is either an angel or a devil. Michael Phelps is a perfect example: he was a great Olympic swimmer in the 2004 Olympics already, and remarkably, he topped the performances of 2004 by making history in 2008. His achievements in the pool are indelibly incredible. Having said that, this is the same guy that was caught in a D.U.I. (driving under influence) incident shortly after the Athens Olympics, and is pictured smoking from a “bong” now in a college party. The body of work is quickly building up to suggest that Phelps’ private life is not one people should be looking up to. Ultimately, he may pay dearly for the choices he is making, but like many other individuals facing choices, he is responsible to his own actions, and outsiders like you and I really should not love or hate him for those choices.
Speaking of outsiders, this brings me to the interesting reactions other athletes had on Phelps. One college swimmer, for example, said “I'm not going to hate him forever, but I don't think that he's the role model everyone makes him out to be…” Hate?! Has he hit a family member of yours? I’m glad you are not going to hate him forever, for if you have to hold a grudge that size towards every celebrity that has done something criminal, you are in BIG trouble…
(Local swimmers express disappointment on Phelps)
Sarcasm aside, the reaction to Phelps’ latest trouble by former Olympic, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati just made me laugh. “I think Michael Phelps is an incredibly talented athlete and it's a shame the media is choosing to focus and scrutinize one photo taken months ago at a private college party. The guy has 14 Olympic medals.” Rebagliati said. The media is choosing to focus and scrutinize on one photo?! If Phelps was not caught smoking pot, there would be no photo to focus and scrutinize from! The guy has 14 Olympic medals?! What is the relevance? We are talking about a sports celebrity making an extremely poor judgement here. OJ Simpson cannot say that his Heisman Trophy has any bearing on his armed robbery trial! Why is Rebagliati so bent out of shape for Phelps? Oh, I get it now – Rebagliati was himself in the center of controversy in the past when his gold medal was temporarily stripped because of a blood test that showed he has smoked pot. From a pot-smoker to a pot-smoker. Incredible credibility, Ross! Michael Jackson defending a pedophile thinks you should keep your mouth shut.
(Rebagliati defends Phelps: fully story)
Phelps made a mistake. It is not a serious enough crime that he should be crucified for it. But should he be receiving a major public relations backlash? You bet he should. Should he be punished for it? As long as marijuana is an illegal substance, why in the world not?
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