He also had a drunk driving arrest in 2004. Seems like he needs Rehab.

Tralynn, I think he did let everyone know he was sorry - I read that he said he regretted it and had shown bad judgement.

This is a guy who volunteered for extra drug testing during the last Olympics and passed all eight times.

I like him and feel sad that this is getting so much press.

I didn't even know about it, till I read about it online. It's to bad, that he got caught trying something, if that is all it was.

Like Susan, I would not, and did not raise my children because of some individual being a possible role model. I was my childrens role model. I didn't drink, didn't smoke, and didn't do drugs.

My husband and I lived our lives, how we felt we would like our kids to see us. They learned by our examples.

Yes, it is to bad, that Michael did this.

Moni

He like many of the celeb's just do not believe that the rules apply to them personally.........

I saw a swim coach being interviewed and he said he hoped this would be a wakeup call for Phelps so that he would quit his partying and drinking several nights a week. If this is true then hopefully it will be a wakeup call. I also think that if he was partying that much that the media would have aleady picked it up.

I have never done drugs of any kind, but would still hate to live in a glass house.

I'm not surprised. Young people often go "off the tracks" when hit with too much fame and fortune.

Iowagirl has it right. Use it as a teachable moment.

The person who took the picture (cell phone?) and sold it to the British tabloid bothers me more then the fact that Phelps smoked...

He's a kid and kids make mistakes. I would be more surprised if he never got into any trouble at all.

I have to admit I was disappointed. I know he is human, but when you become a celebrity athlete, I expect that person to also be a good role model to those aspiring to achieve some of the same goals. It is an illegal substance that he used. I would have been just as disappointed if he had been caught with a DUI.

one can't help but wonder where ppl get off on judging the kid

so what..he smoked a little weed...so do a lot of ppl...then there are the ones that smoke cigarettes,or have that little glass of wine at dinner,etc etc,the list goes on.

Not disappointed at all. I agree with those who say it must be awful to live under a microscope. And I agree with Ont_gal. Big damned deal. If he was drinking or smoking cigarettes...hardly a thought. It's not like he is doing heroin or something.

He made enormous sacrifices to get to accomplish what he did.

This country has a lot bigger problems than worrying about Michael Phelps....and they ought to be concentrating on some of them.

No..because I never put him on a pedestal.
Just because someone's good at something doesn't mean that they should be role models for anyone.

Hero worship was never my thing, and I would never encourage a child to worship or emulate any celeb.

Marilyn C You said it perfectly. Thank you!

I'm with the others that say big deal.
I was surprised but certainly not disappointed.
There are much worse things he could do.

I don't feel sorry for him a t all. He did a STUPID thing. I am even more upset about it because my kids remember that he had a DUI at 19 just after his first Olympics. I am really sick of people (him included) passing this off as a "kid" thing. I have kids and this is absolutely unacceptable behavior. So is drinking and driving at any age. He put himself in the public eye as the most meddled Olympic athlete ever. It didn't just happen to him. He strove to achieve it. He accepted those endorsements and probably signed contracts regarding his behavior. He CHOSE to do drugs and was STUPID to think he wouldn't get caught. He's not sorry he behaved in a "youthful manner" he's sorry someone took a picture of it and sold it to the press.

Yes I am disappointed in him, and anyone in the public eye, that chooses to present themselves that way.

The biggest fool/loser/creep is the maroon who took the picture.

I don't have a problem with Phelps...wish I'd been there to share..pass that bong, Mike!

Party On!

He did do a stupid thing but he also hasn't been able to be a kid and do the teen stupid things. I agree that drugs isn't one of the teen stupid things he should have done but he is a human.

I agree with Marilyn too. How can they okay MJ for medical reasons, and say it's wrong when you use it recreationally? I don't consider him a 'kid' at 23.
There's more pressing things to worry about.
Leslie

I was disapointed. I don't hold him up as a role model for my kids, but I'd think a guy who has accomplished so much could make better judgements than that.

I think it sends a message to those who worship him that you can do drugs, and drink, and you can still be a great success and hero!

If I was a sponsor, I'd subject him to random drug testing, if I was going to continue with any contracts with him.

He is not a kid. He is 22 and he should know by now that not everyone is his friend, and that not everyone can be trusted. If he chose to smoke a little weed in private, then that would have been his own little dirty secret.

I had never seen pot smoked from a pipe before (just call me sheltered). I had only ever seen pot smoked in the form of a doobie, and a tiny skinny one at that. Seeing him with the pipe made me immediately wonder if there might have been something a lot worse than pot in it.

I imagine there are a lot of folks here who know of people who have let pot ruin their lives. They can't look for or get a 'real' job because they know they could never pass a drug test. Instead they have to take jobs here and there, working for 'some guy'.
There are however responsible pot smokers who have lives, and are contributing members of society, and then there are the ones who aren't able to take care of themselves, much less the children they choose to bring into this world.

At least it brings up the subject, so we can discuss it with our kids.

just to add... My kids are young athletes. They work really hard and love what they do. My oldest son wants to use athletics along with his grades to achieve his goals. We have had many conversations about how drugs and alcohol can ruin your chances of achieving those dreams. So when my son sees something like this, my words and advice lose credibility. If MP's actions don't have seriously negative consequences how can this be something kids learn from? No my kids don't idolize him, but they ARE watching him. We all cheered with him during the Olympics. We all felt the thrill of his victories. Now they get to see it is possible to have fame and fortune while breaking the law and doing drugs. Thanks a lot.

I kind of agree with susan. I don't teach my kids to look up to people in the media... I mean he may be a role model for swimmers and swimming... but why would I consider him to be a role model for anything else? Making heroes or role models out of sports celebrities just never seemed right to me. They're good at their sport, period. I don't know them personally; so I can't and don't praise them for anything more. Why would/should I want my kids to emulate people I don't even know?

I wonder how much his "friend" got for releasing that photo to the publications.

When will anyone in the public eye or expects to be in the public eye learn that every movement - every word- will be scrutinized some day and perhaps come back to haunt them or ruin a career.

I am signing my name to Ont_gal's post and those like hers......He is a human being first and foremost and WE ALL DO DUMB STUPID THINGS!! Stacy

My son is an athlete too, and a pretty decent one. But we discouraged them from holding anyone up to be a role model. Now, sometimes we DID talk about certain TRAITS of certain athletes, and encouraged discussion about positive traits and characteristics that they had. But first and foremost, both of my kids knew from a very early age, that we would never accept blanket adulation of athletes or celebrities from them, because it interfered with independent thinking and decision making. We had many, many discussions like this.

I think he's just a kid and kids do dumb stuff.

Anyone who says they haven't made mistakes in life are big fat liars.
:-)

Disappointed? Nah. Where's it say that an athlete can't party? Roids are a much more serious concern for parents with young athletes.

I was talking about this with my nearly 17 year old athlete son yesterday. I don't have a problem with what he did. I can't imagine the pressure he's been living under. Sure he's wanted to do these accomplishments and has pushed himself hard..And probably lost alot of "childhood" doing so.

I don't condone it.....but I don't need to smack him upside the head either..that's HIS MAMMA's Job!

But I told my kid..."don't even think about it"..LOL

When I was in college, I knew an Olympic swimmer. While I knew her she "retired" from swimming, at the ripe old age of 21 or so. Well, she really let her hair down, so to speak - lots of partying for a while. But I understood it, because she had, from the time she was a yound child, been under an extremely disiplined regime.
When she finally could let loose, she went overboard for a little while, but she turned out fine. Michael Phelps is not the first young man to make an error in judgement. I don't think anyone can be expected to be perfect.

Nope, not disappointed. First of all, I don't think being an athlete automatically should make you a role model, whether or not you know you're going to be in the public eye. Just because people look up to you does not mean you have to live your life a way other than how you want to live it. Second of all, I don't think smoking pot is a big deal. Alcohol causes far more damage to people's lives, as well as other drugs, regardless of the legalities. People go over the speed limit all the time too, and that's illegal. I know ALOT of people addicted to painkillers that they get legally and it is ruining their lives far more than any pot smokers I have known.

This kid has finally got some free time on his hands. I know it's illleagal but..... he needed to let loose. I believe he is sorry for his actions. What country was he in? Did he do this in the US? I say give the kid a break.

Did he lose any sponsors? Just curious.

Judy

I'm in the *what's the big deal* camp. I think a whole lot of things are worse than smoking pot.....like not using a car seat for a child or not knowing the name of your kid's teacher. Drunk driving is different and can truly be a tragedy.

you can talk till you're blue in the face, live a straight and narrow home life, but the minute the kids leave home and off to college you'll never know what the pressures are and how many fall to temptation...that includes the atheletes, honor students, and the quiet ones...

that's for over dinner when they start reminising, while you're putting their kids to bed...

I agree with Iowagirl way back on top. We live in a new technical world of cameras everywhere. I workout at the Y regularly and one day there was a guy in the steam room with a cell phone! You got to know I had him get out quick. Everything we do today is recorded, taped or put on a picture. Privacy is a thing of the past. Who knows how many of the heroes in the past were doing things we would of been shocked at if only we knew. Michael Phelps was foolish for not remembering that his and all of our lives are now on tape.

Here is a link that might be useful: traveling and cooking with grandpa

He is not a kid. He is 23. At that age, most of us were out in the world supporting ourselves and trying our best to make good decisions.

He did more than make a mistake. He broke the law. He chose to do so. He is a disappointment in that respect.

He did work hard to win his medals, and for that we all celebrate with him. But to keep our respect, he needs to toe the line, keep on the right side of the law, and earn our respect every day, just like anyone else. He may have lucrative contracts and make lots of money now, but that is NO excuse.

I agree, he is NOT a kid at 23. I agree with Sheilajoyce. I was out on my own from the time I was 18 as I'm sure a lot of older folks were. Things are different these days. But nowadays kids don't seem to grow up and support themselves until long into their 20's, living at home with their parents in a lot of cases. I guess that is why we get the impression that young adults are still kids. Yes the cost of a higher education does mean that most kids live at home. Backtracking, he did break the law for which he did apologize. I'll bet he wouldn't have taken that hit of pot if he had know the consequences.

Those who think they are better than anyone else,
please step forward. I have a saying for people like
you.....Mind your own business!!!!
Dolly

It's against the law!

Smoking a ciggy, or having a glass of wine is not
against the law.

He knows it was wrong. He admitted it was not a
wise choice! Why in this world would he need dope?

"I think it sends a message to those who worship him that you can do drugs, and drink, and you can still be a great success and hero!"

Well the truth is that you CAN do all those things and be a great success and even a hero. Do you think none of our military heroes ever drank? Or that a president can't smoke, drink, etc? Or that our kid's entertainment heroes don't do all kinds of things? What about all the football, basketball, anythingball heroes who seem to do anything and everything illegal?!? We've had very successful and well respected leaders who smoked, drank, had sex with people you might not have approved of and still did their jobs.

I agree that it's a bad image for a sports hero to do something damaging to his body and his performance, but these people are human and they have worked hard to get where they are. Sometimes they trip and sometimes they fall.

Like others have said, use it to open some dialogue with your kids. Let them know that one or two blunders doesn't make them a failure. It doesn't make Phelps a failure either.

I'm not disappointed. He's a kid. They screw up and learn and move on. No biggie.

Wow, I certainly am impressed to find out that so many folks here at the table have never driven above the speed limit; have always come to a full and complete stop at stop signs; have never speeded up to make it through an intersection on the yellow light before it turns red; have always allowed pedestrians to cross the street before making a turn onto the cross street....

Driving even a fraction faster than the posted speed limit; not coming to a full and complete stop at stop signs; speeding up to make it through an intersection on a yellow light before it turns red; and not allowing pedestrians to cross the street before turning onto the cross street are against the law, too; but I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that NO ONE here can HONESTLY say that they have never, ever, done any of them.

Heather--whether you like it or not, there is medical evidence that our brains don't fully mature until we're in our mid-20's. Before that, the brain is capable of making emotional decisions, but the logical thinking portion of the brain isn't fully matured.

Yes, we tell 18 year olds they're legally adults. Yes, we let them work, join the military, make decisions about their future, get married--but they aren't truly equipped for those jobs. Some get lucky--I got engaged and married in my early 20's and am still married to the love of my life 35+ years later.

But yes, at 23, he's still a kid in a lot of ways, and still in a stage of life where he's likely to make poor decisions. Add to that his own personal limitations, I don't think you can come down too hard on him. As I said, I wasn't overly surprised by this, and personally--I don't like people in the public eye setting a poor example that children may think is 'cool', but I also think we have to understand that this fellow is still a child, with learning issues, and the same right as the rest of us to do stupid things at inopportune times.

It's interesting to see the range of emotions and feelings regarding this.

Personally, I was surprised ... because I thought first of the athlete, and what smoking (anything) would do to his lungs.

But disappointed? No.

He could only disappoint me if I had expectations of him. And since he has no place in my life experiences (other than watching and rooting for him during the Olympics), I have no right to feel disappointment about what he chooses to do.

I do agree, that he was sorry he *got caught* not necessarily sorry that he smoked pot. For all we know, he smokes pots every day and this is just the first time the public has found out.

And as for adding in the 1999 DUI, someone up above said he needs rehab (for these two infractions, nine years apart). I have chosen to assume you're being sarcastic!

Azzalea, I knew what was right or wrong from the time I was a teenager if not earlier. My brain didn't have to be fully mature. I may not have understood the full consequences of my actions as I kid but at 23 I would expect that I had matured enough and heard enough about drugs to know logically that there might be consequences to drug partaking. Younger people think that they are invincible, we learn we are not as we get older. Medical evidence may show that our brains don't fully mature until we reach adulthood but I don't buy this as an excuse for doing drugs.

He made a choice. I'm glad for his sake that it was only pot and not a harder drug.

I think we all have to think back at when we were younger and did things that were "illegal". I was a child of the 60's..as I'm sure lot's of us here were. . maybe he should be more careful where he does it in this day and age with all the cameras around, but the media, once again has made it bigger than it was. We'd all be surprised, I'm sure to know what people, celebrities or personal friends that we think are so "perfect" do in their private lives.
There are alot of other more important things the media could be dwelling on IMO. This was so trivial and not worth all the attention it got on the news.

We'd all be surprised...what people, celebrities or personal friends that we think are so "perfect" do in their private lives.

I think many would be surprised to know what their own kids do... Lots of "halo polishing" here. LOL!

He has been suspended from swimming for 3 months,and Kellogs
has dropped him.

Sign my name to Ont Gal's post also.

What many people don't realize is that when kids are training all their lives for something they miss out on a lot of the normal stuff regular teens go through. It's not that unusual for them to do a little catching up in their 20's.

We've voted in politicians with a lot worse drug histories than Michael Phelps will ever have. We even have a smoking President. Now that's legal but how dumb is that? The dangers of smoking were well known by the time he started unlike some of our generation who weren't aware of the dangers when we got hooked.