Evidence of Michael Phelps smoking weed has recently surfaced and overprotective mothers across the nation are shielding their children’s eyes, shunning the once-revered Olympic hero. Despite his fish-like abilities, it turns out Phelps is no different from the average 23-year-old partier. However, after winning eight consecutive gold medals and shattering numerous world records, Phelps has been shoved into the limelight. This means dodging incriminating photo-ops at any cost ‘mdash; a responsibility that must have slipped his mind when he left his training pool, stumbled onto dry land and into someone’s South Carolina home and placed his mouth over the top of a bong. Since then, our nation has had no problem reminding him that his spectacular lungs are naturally sanctioned for underwater activities only.’ ‘ ‘ ‘
Before that infamous house party, Phelps’ record-setting year earned him about $1 million worth of endorsement deals with companies like Speedo, PowerBar, Subway and Kellogg’s. But no faster than you can light up a J, Kellogg’s terminated Phelps’ sponsorship, arguing his actions were inconsistent with the cereal brand’s image and forgetting its previous willingness to sign $250,000 over to a dopey athlete with a DUI in his not-so-distant past. USA Swimming also suspended Phelps from three months of competition, and nixed his financial support for that time. In a statement, the organization’s governing body said it ‘decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and hero.’
But all this for a little pot? While preachy parents worry that Phelps’ drug stint will soon turn local elementary schoolers into stoners, they should take a step back and think of their twenties. From our parents’ population to now, marijuana usage has always been publicly condemned, but behind the scenes, it’s remained the young adult’s drug of choice. According to a 2007 study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, half of America’s 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. The truth about pot is apparent: For a good chunk of the youth population, a night with Mary Jane is just another way to spice up the usual Bud Light binge drinking.
Although age-old D.A.R.E. campaigns have consistently warned us that marijuana can seriously impair short-term memory and cease brain development, many great figures have tried the mysterious green plant and survived. In fact, Phelps is now in the esteemed company of former President Bill Clinton and current President Barack Obama ‘mdash; both of whom have puffed a little ganja, whether they fully inhaled or not. Maybe experimenting with drugs isn’t uncommon or strongly linked to personal character ‘mdash; rather, it’s a stigmatized social practice that leaves stars like Phelps ducking for cover at casual house parties.
It’s no secret that celebrities are obligated to control their behavior in the public eye, especially if they serve as role models and inspirations. But why do we expect perfection from public figures when we ourselves continue to bend the rules? Celebrity scandals are bound to happen because no matter how hard people try, nobody’s perfect. Headlines publicizing stars’ drug and alcohol use, unstable relationships or obsession with body image aren’t too far from our own lives. Even good people make mistakes. A politician can cheat on his wife and still perform for his country; a world-class swimmer can still break records, even with a little grass in his pants. Instead of wasting energy punishing the swimmer-turned-star for not living up to our unrealistic standards, why not confront our own addictions and infidelity?
As
for Kellogg’s, it’s too bad the brand dropped Phelps. His little bongscapade might have done wonders for the company, expanding its target market to stoners across the nation, making Corn Flakes a necessary staple for any munchies run.