The 8 time Olympic Medal champion Michael Phelps was caught taking hits of a bong filled with marijuana in 2008 while visiting a college campus. Someone had taken a picture of this happening and was paid to have this picture published in a newspaper in England. The site of this picture was a huge shock to Phelps fans around the world. Not only did this action effect Phelps career but it also helps to show others that not only is he an Olympic champion but he is also a human who makes mistakes just like everyone else.
There are many different approaches and ways to look at this issue. Smoking weed is illegal in the United States and you can get in serious trouble for breaking this law. Many parents these days to not want their kids doing drugs and drinking alcohol. When celebrties make actions like this and they get announced in the public is just makes it okay for other people to behave in this mannor. Many kids think to themselves well if someone famous is doing it then it must be okay. Many college students these days are into partying and getting into illegal activities. As time goes on partying and outrageous behavior is becoming more popular.
I don't think that when Michael Phelps decided to make this decision he thought it was going to be this big of a deal. The reality of this situation is that Phelps is an adult and is going to make his own decisions. Many people smoke weed everyday without the consequences that Phelps has had to go through. When your around 20 years of age most people make many decisions that they are not proud of and eventually learn from. Hopefully in this situation Micheal Phelps will learn from it and move on with his life. The sad part from making this decision he lost about 8 million dollars worth of sponsorship. I'm just happy that I don't have people watching my every move like a hawk and judging me for the decisions I make. My question is would you rather not be famous and be able to make decisions as you please and not have to worry about publicity or be famous and have to deal with something like this inncident.
Personally, I am proud of Michael for his amazing achievements but do not condone his action, which he now has to face the music for. Every one knows that once you put a signature on any million-dollar deal that defines your paycheck, you are under scrutiny from viewers and fans. There are also people sitting in the stands waiting for you to slip and either profit from it, or just get sheer satisfaction because of their inability to reach such a status quo in their lifetime.
ReplyDeleteA branch of psychology, which is not very common but is in the works, is sports psychology. Before this incident, I thought….what a waste of time for such a field to emerge! Well, despite helping athletes develop relaxation and mental focusing skills to overcome performance anxiety and enhance their performance, they help them deal with major adjustments in life. I presume with Phelps income, he could add one to his payroll…not to say that he is whako…No! It would have saved him all this embarrassment. I don’t think even his mother saw this coming…with the good upbringing she exposed him to.
Social drinking, and all the other extra curricular stuff people do to engage in fun is by preference…but soon as you become a celebrity…do it in private coz the media will eat you alive and thus cost you everything you invested into get you to that “A-list!”
I'm intrigued at the fact that Michael Phelps did not experience a firestorm anywhere near as big as this when he was pulled over for drunk driving a few years ago. Sponsors didn't drop him, the media didn't rake him over the coals. But, the reality is, drunk driving is way more of a danger to other people than smoking pot, even if he drove afterwards. What does this contradiction say about our laws regarding alcohol and drugs? What does it say about how much credence legality gives alcohol that marijuana never gets? Why weren't we (and the sponsors, fans, etc.) more worried about the fact that drunk driving is way, way more dangerous than smoking? Is it because marijauna is illegal? Is it because drinking (and then driving) is so common ...and legal?
ReplyDeleteI think the sadest thing about this whole situation is the guy who took this picture. I mean I understand that smoking weed is illegal and yes, Michael Phelps should be punished for this, but the guy who sold this picture says a lot about society. We will ruin anyone's career for money, even an American idol. I think this guy should feel really bad for what he did. Even if Phelps is kind of a tool, no one who works that hard deserves to have their career ruined.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement because they are many famous people who sufferer with this kind of situations and at the same time they are many teenager who look up to famous people like Michael Phelps. Also he is being bad influences instead of being a good one for them to look up something like this. Because they may think it’s okay to do any kind of drugs if one of the good players or famous one is doing it. Even though anybody should not control any body’s life at the same time most of the time teen learns things form famous people by watching on TV. When they say something like this they think its cool do drugs.
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