<p>So will Michael Phelps’ “indulgence” affect his endorsements? How will it affect the way America sees him generally" </p>
<p>For those who haven’t heard, he was photographed taking a bong hit in November at a party in South Carolina.</p>
<p>Give him a break. America will view him as the great champion he is and forget his slip up.</p>
<p>People will forget it…other celebrities have been spotted doing worse drugs (see Kate Moss), and remained on top.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine who could possibly care! Let the kid have some fun for a change.</p>
<p>He’ll be fine. As he should be.</p>
<p>I hope everyone feels that way - it was supremely stupid - but I hope it won’t jeopardize endorsements. He seems to have big plans for spending that money locally. I’m sure the thing that will bother him the most is his mother’s reaction. When he got the DUI several years ago, he said the worst part was how upset his mother was.</p>
<p>Not a big deal. Not as bad as the DUI.</p>
<p>He is my D’s hero, so I am deeply affected and question the way he achieved his success, which before was looking like an awesome example for everybody and such a huge promotion of swimming as a sport. Would it be an excuse for everybody to “slip” once in a awhile? I am afraid so.</p>
<p>I think the fact that he came out and admitted it (even if it was kind of forced), and issued an apology, makes it tolerable. He’s not trying to pretend as if it didn’t happen.</p>
<p>However, the article I read (the British version) said this kind of lifestyle is not all that unusual for him. I can guarantee now that he’s been caught, anyone who can get a photo of him in a compromising position, will. If he becomes a regular fixture in the news because of stuff like this, his endorsements will go away… quickly.</p>
<p>I had to laugh, though, when I read it. I thought, how can an athlete of his caliber pull off the partying he supposedly does. Then I was reminded of the article I read about him, when he shares what his typical diet is like, and I was amazed at how much he eats… it’s really unfathomable for someone his size. But when I read about the pot, I thought, I’ll bet that helps with his appetite!
;)</p>
<p>I don’t see any way this impacts his achievements in the pool. He was drug tested and offered to be tested extra times just to dispel any suggestion that his performance was chemically enhanced. He did nothing but train every day for years - never taking a day off. This was clearly him letting loose after years of very hard work. At 23, he should know better than to do something like that in public. Tough lesson learned.</p>
<p>It seems like people came down way harder on Ricky Williams a few years back. Me personally, I don’t care so much one way or another. I think Marijuana will become legal in the US within my lifetime.</p>
<p>Forget phelps, I want the name(s) of the frat, the brother who took the pic, and the brother who sold the pic. No honor at this frat.</p>
<p>I dont understand why anyone should even care. He works really hard, he needs some time during the offseason to be a normal young adult.</p>
<p>My former swim coach was a top Olympic swimmer. He smoked pot AND drank
AT the Olympics. It is a very intense sport. Unfortunately, that man remained an addict and ended his life in 2002. The swimmers I knew (as a masters swimmer) who had been top college swimmers were HUGE partiers. Runners are comparatively boring.</p>
<p>Remember when there wasn’t a camera in every hand called a cellphone? Things have changed. Everyone becomes the paparazzi.</p>
<p>
Do normal young adults smoke pot? I have no problem with him enjoying life to the fullest at his young age. I just wish he’d do it without the illegal activities.</p>
<p>I think enough normal young adults at least try pot that it’s OK to say it’s normal. Doesn’t mean everyone does. But like I said, as long as it’s not part of a pattern.</p>
<p>Not news to me. I believe this country’s attitude is becoming very lax towards pot smoking. A lot of people would prefer that their kids would smoke pot in college instead of drinking, as it has been studied to be safer. I say legalize and let the people make their own choices. He worked incredibly hard, and he apparently wants to party hard when in the off season. Big deal.</p>
<p>I wondered that too 3bm. I don’t know any longer how common pot use is among 20 somethings. Pretty much everyone I knew smoked dope in college in the 70s, and I was not at what was considered to be a party school. I don’t care whether he gets high or not, but he has to be more aware of what’s going on around him. He brought a Vegas showgirl/waitress home for Thanksgiving for dinner with Mom so I don’t think anyone thought he was doing anything other than catching up on partying until he starts training again. Discretion is the key.</p>
<p>Legalize it. Tax it. Solve the recession. </p>
<p>Whether or not people smoke pot, I doubt that many care that Phelps did. His smoking pot doesn’t affect my view of him.</p>