Michael Phelps

[Dos Equis]

How stupid is this kid?  Not only smoking pot but having his picture taken?? 

[mass 04]

TBH, i think the publics reaction to it has been even more stupid. He never should have put himself in a situation where a photo like that could come out. On the other hand he's young, successful and seems like a good guy, who cares if he smokes from time to time?

[body88]

He screwed up and it looks like the picture was taken by someone trying to set him up.  Anyone who gets mad about this is crazy.  Thankfully his main sponsors stuck with him.  I think it makes him more marketable.  Sure companies like Kellogg's had to back away because of all the loser moms writing letters, but I think your average high-income Omega watch buyer, or speedo buyer can identify with smoking a little pot at a college frat.  Most did.

[Dos Equis]

They should have all cut him loose.  He broke the law.  And he was dumb enough to do it with a camera on him, while he was one of the most popular sports figures on the planet. 

Terrible role model. 

[body88]

They should have all cut him loose.  He broke the law.  And he was dumb enough to do it with a camera on him, while he was one of the most popular sports figures on the planet. 

Terrible role model. 

Overkill. 

[OzmO]

BFD, 

Bad judgement on his part for getting photographed.

The reality is, people smoke weed.  So what if he does?

People break the law.  In most places smoking pot is not a felony, just as running a stop sign or going 59 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone. 

If it causes him to not reach his goals then it was his choice.

In the end, so what. 

[Dos Equis]

This isn't just about a kid smoking pot.  It's about the most celebrated athlete on the biggest stage in the world choosing to put himself on the cover of cereal boxes in front of millions of kids violating state and federal law and getting photographed while doing it.  If you're going to take money for something like that, knowing that you impact the lives of kids as a role model, you don't break the law. 

Driving 59 in a 55 is a traffic violation, not a crime.  Smoking pot is a crime.  I don't care if lots of people do it.  Doesn't make it right, especially when you're a public figure.

If he wants to break the law he needs to give up the endorsements.   

[body88]

This isn't just about a kid smoking pot.  It's about the most celebrated athlete on the biggest stage in the world choosing to put himself on the cover of cereal boxes in front of millions of kids violating state and federal law and getting photographed while doing it.  If you're going to take money for something like that, knowing that you impact the lives of kids as a role model, you don't break the law. 

Driving 59 in a 55 is a traffic violation, not a crime.  Smoking pot is a crime.  I don't care if lots of people do it.  Doesn't make it right, especially when you're a public figure.

If he wants to break the law he needs to give up the endorsements.   

Phelps only has to give up the endorsements if his endorsers decide they want to cut him.  It's their money, their image and they have a right to decide on their own if they want to keep Phelps on the payroll.  Phelps was smoking some pot at a frat party and someone snapped a picture of him from the side.  Phelps is a 23 year old kid who made a big mistake.  Pot smoking is illegal, but it's not a major issue.  Plus, Phelps' major sponsors like Omega and Spedo are not targeting kids, they are targeting adults who probably smoked a joint or two in their day.  Parents need to start being their own role models to kids. Infact, if my child asked me about Phelps I would tell them that he was caught smoking pot and that it was the wrong thing to do.  I would tell them that he apologized for it and that he felt really bad about it.....so when the kids offer you some pot at school - don't make the same mistake Mike Phelps did.  That said, chances are they will try it anyway.

Bum, you seem to still be a big fan of Colt Brennen after his legal issues.  Brennen entered a female's dorm room, fondled her and exposed himself, correct?  Infact, UH should have never admitted him to their program after what he did at Colorado, right??  He should have had his NCAA eligibility stripped for good, right?  Colt is a role model to millions of young athletes in America, and he border line rapes a women?  Playing the NCAA is a privilege, not a right, he should have had his eligibility stripped for good!

[Dos Equis]

Phelps only has to give up the endorsements if his endorsers decide they want to cut him.  It's their money, their image and they have a right to decide on their own if they want to keep Phelps on the payroll.  Phelps was smoking some pot at a frat party and someone snapped a picture of him from the side.  Phelps is a 23 year old kid who made a big mistake.  Pot smoking is illegal, but it's not a major issue.  Plus, Phelps' major sponsors like Omega and Spedo are not targeting kids, they are targeting adults who probably smoked a joint or two in their day.  Parents need to start being their own role models to kids. Infact, if my child asked me about Phelps I would tell them that he was caught smoking pot and that it was the wrong thing to do.  I would tell them that he apologized for it and that he felt really bad about it.....so when the kids offer you some pot at school - don't make the same mistake Mike Phelps did.  That said, chances are they will try it anyway.

Bum, you seem to still be a big fan of Colt Brennen after his legal issues.  Brennen entered a female's dorm room, fondled her and exposed himself, correct?  Infact, UH should have never admitted him to their program after what he did at Colorado, right??  He should have had his NCAA eligibility stripped for good, right?  Colt is a role model to millions of young athletes in America, and he border line rapes a women?  Playing the NCAA is a privilege, not a right, he should have had his eligibility stripped for good!

Colt Brennan?  lol.  How in the world did you bring him up (again)?  This is about Michael Phelps, not Colt or Michael Vick, etc.  But I'm interested in your claim that Colt "fondled" a woman and "exposed himself."  Link? 

Regarding Phelps, the kid already has a DUI.  This pot incident shows how truly reckless the kid is and how he shouldn't be a role model.   

You should not teach your kids that athletes are role models, but the fact professional athletes are idolized by millions of kids, regardless of what Charles Barkley says.  And when an athlete chooses to accept money to market himself to kids (e.g., being on the cover of a cereal box), he has an obligation to conduct himself like a good citizen.       

[body88]

Colt Brennan?  lol.  How in the world did you bring him up (again)?  This is about Michael Phelps, not Colt or Michael Vick, etc.  But I'm interested in your claim that Colt "fondled" a woman and "exposed himself."  Link? 

Regarding Phelps, the kid already has a DUI.  This pot incident shows how truly reckless the kid is and how he shouldn't be a role model.   

You should teach your kids that athletes are role models, but the fact professional athletes are idolized by millions of kids, regardless of what Charles Barkley says.  And when an athlete chooses to accept money to market himself to kids (e.g., being on the cover of a cereal box), he has an obligation to conduct himself like a good citizen.       

It's not about Colt Brennen....it's about you being a moral crusader when it suits you.  You are a huge UH fan and a big Colt Brennen fan, but when he was at UC he got kicked off the team for exposing himself to a young women and reportedly fondling himself.  You want Phelps to lose all his sponsors, yet you are a fan of a player who was kicked off a major NCAA football program for horrible conduct. By your standards, Colt Brennen should have been kicked out of the NCAA for life.  Phelps took a bong rip, said he was sorry, and lost one of his major sponsors that targets kids.  Thats enough punishment.

Phelps lost his sponsorship from Kellogg's, but again, Speedo and Omega are not targeting kid....they are targeting adults.  Those sponsorships have nothing to do with children and it's their money, so they can do what they want with it.  Trust me, if they felt it was going to effect their sales, they would pull the plug on Phelps.  Infact, I think this will increase their sales, because their main demographic probably did some wild things in college. The kid smoked some pot, it ain't that big a deal.  Look at any music video today and see rockers drinking and rappers puffing on weed.  Your kids buy into that a lot more than a picture of a guy with a bong.

Parents put way to much emphasis on other people as their kids role models.  Kids are exposed to a lot worse than pictures of bong rips on a daily basis.  Adults need to be role models, not get all bent out of shape about a kid who messed up and apologized.  Beach, if your child grows up to become a star UH player and he/she screws up by getting a DUI or making a stupid mistake (but he/she is a good person) you wouldn't be talking like you are now.  Phelps is clearly a good kid, who smoked some week and acted immature.  Really, he smoked a bong.....it ain't that serious 

[OzmO]

Colt Brennan?  lol.  How in the world did you bring him up (again)?  This is about Michael Phelps, not Colt or Michael Vick, etc.  But I'm interested in your claim that Colt "fondled" a woman and "exposed himself."  Link? 

Regarding Phelps, the kid already has a DUI.  This pot incident shows how truly reckless the kid is and how he shouldn't be a role model.   

You should teach your kids that athletes are role models, but the fact professional athletes are idolized by millions of kids, regardless of what Charles Barkley says.  And when an athlete chooses to accept money to market himself to kids (e.g., being on the cover of a cereal box), he has an obligation to conduct himself like a good citizen.       

I agree with you in principle but in reality it doesn't work.  Many sports based role models have issues with one thing or another.  Kids need to learn to make their own choices for the right reasons and the only role model thats really makes a difference is their parents.

Personally, I don't see smoking pot as a big deal.  It's breaking a law that shouldn't exist.

[Dos Equis]

It's not about Colt Brennen....it's about you being a moral crusader when it suits you.  You are a huge UH fan and a big Colt Brennen fan, but when he was at UC he got kicked off the team for exposing himself to a young women and reportedly fondling himself.  You want Phelps to lose all his sponsors, yet you are a fan of a player who was kicked off a major NCAA football program for horrible conduct. By your standards, Colt Brennen should have been kicked out of the NCAA for life.  Phelps took a bong rip, said he was sorry, and lost one of his major sponsors that targets kids.  Thats enough punishment.

Phelps lost his sponsorship from Kellogg's, but again, Speedo and Omega are not targeting kid....they are targeting adults.  Those sponsorships have nothing to do with children and it's their money, so they can do what they want with it.  Trust me, if they felt it was going to effect their sales, they would pull the plug on Phelps.  Infact, I think this will increase their sales, because their main demographic probably did some wild things in college. The kid smoked some pot, it ain't that big a deal.  Look at any music video today and see rockers drinking and rappers puffing on weed.  Your kids buy into that a lot more than a picture of a guy with a bong.

Parents put way to much emphasis on other people as their kids role models.  Kids are exposed to a lot worse than pictures of bong rips on a daily basis.  Adults need to be role models, not get all bent out of shape about a kid who messed up and apologized.  Beach, if your child grows up to become a star UH player and he/she screws up by getting a DUI or making a stupid mistake (but he/she is a good person) you wouldn't be talking like you are now.  Phelps is clearly a good kid, who smoked some week and acted immature.  Really, he smoked a bong.....it ain't that serious 

Moral crusader?  I like that one.     Let's assume for the sake of discussion that I'm only a moral crusader when it suits me.  What in the world does that have to do with Michael Phelps putting people's lives in danger by driving drunk, breaking state and federal law by smoking pot, getting photographed while breaking state and federal law, and taking money so his face can be plastered in front of millions of children?  I understand the need to attack the messenger at times, but even if you do so in this instance, it doesn't change the facts.   

If he was truly a man of integrity he would fall on his sword, give up the endorsements he hasn't lost already, and try and win them back in four years. 

Regarding the issue of Colt, which again has zero to do with Phelps, give me the link showing he "fondled" a woman and "exposed himself."  I'm not going to accuse you of making stuff up (although you have done that about Colt in the past), but that would be news to me.  But maybe I missed that part of the story.     

[Dos Equis]

I agree with you in principle but in reality it doesn't work.  Many sports based role models have issues with one thing or another.  Kids need to learn to make their own choices for the right reasons and the only role model thats really makes a difference is their parents.

Personally, I don't see smoking pot as a big deal.  It's breaking a law that shouldn't exist.

This isn't some gray area we're talking about.  Having a debate about whether to legalize drugs is one thing; breaking the law is something completely different.  It's not like he was engaging in some form of civil disobedience.  He knew what he was doing was wrong.  What kind of message does this send to kids? 

Also, don't forget he already has a DUI. 

Here is a six-minute clip that summarizes what I think about this situation.  Janet Evans is on the money, but also listen to how the other woman says she had to explain what a bong was to her kid when this story came out. 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/02/09/pn.phelps.loses.endorsement.cnn

[OzmO]

This isn't some gray area we're talking about.  Having a debate about whether to legalize drugs is one thing; breaking the law is something completely different.  It's not like he was engaging in some form of civil disobedience.  He knew what he was doing was wrong.  What kind of message does this send to kids? 

Also, don't forget he already has a DUI. 

Here is a six-minute clip that summarizes what I think about this situation.  Janet Evans is on the money, but also listen to how the other woman says she had to explain what a bong was to her kid when this story came out. 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/02/09/pn.phelps.loses.endorsement.cnn

I understand that he "broke the law", but holding "people" to those standards is unrealistic, because people will be people and will break the law from time to time or do something embarrassing.  The fallacies lie in making these people or anyone "role" models, the illegality of weed, and the standards we set the role models at.  They shouldn't be "role models" in the first place.  Parents should be the role models, Weed should be legal, and star athletes shouldn't be in the public eye so much.

[Dos Equis]

I understand that he "broke the law", but holding "people" to those standards is unrealistic, because people will be people and will break the law from time to time or do something embarrassing.  The fallacies lie in making these people or anyone "role" models, the illegality of weed, and the standards we set the role models at.  They shouldn't be "role models" in the first place.  Parents should be the role models, Weed should be legal, and star athletes shouldn't be in the public eye so much.

Ozmo let's be realistic.  They should not be role models, but they are and there is nothing we can do about that.  Kids idolize those guys.  They buy posters, wear jerseys, clamor for autographs.  They all want to "Be Like Mike."  Athletes know this.  Because they are role models whether they like it or not, they have an obligation to set the right example for kids, especially if they're asking for endorsement money.   

I believe that when a person becomes a public figure and knows he or she has a great deal of influence on children, that person has an obligation to exercise the highest degree of integrity, etc. possible.  This isn't just about a person making a mistake, which we all do, it's about a person on the world stage seeking out money so he can put himself around the kitchen table of millions of homes, engaging in behavior he knows is wrong. 

[body88]

Ozmo let's be realistic.  They should not be role models, but they are and there is nothing we can do about that.  Kids idolize those guys.  They buy posters, wear jerseys, clamor for autographs.  They all want to "Be Like Mike."  Athletes know this.  Because they are role models whether they like it or not, they have an obligation to set the right example for kids, especially if they're asking for endorsement money.   

I believe that when a person becomes a public figure and knows he or she has a great deal of influence on children, that person has an obligation to exercise the highest degree of integrity, etc. possible.  This isn't just about a person making a mistake, which we all do, it's about a person on the world stage seeking out money so he can put himself around the kitchen table of millions of homes, engaging in behavior he knows is wrong. 

Phelps was not asking for endorsement money, he was asked to endorse something and offered money to do it.  Thats how it works.  You have a romantic outlook on pro athletes, but it's not realistic. The money Phelps gets is private money.  If it was public then you would have a point.

Now to get to your other post.....

[ATHEIST]

 Colt is very open about what happened in CU. He was on 1420am our ESPN affiliate here in honolulu discussing the incident when he was asked about it during the pre-draft interviews. I havent heard of what actually happened. he does a lot here in Honolulu though and has changed quite a bite since his CU days. Im not defending Colt, but from what i know of him since he came here, he seems like a good guy.

I have never smoked weed, but i can understand a 23 year old who is famous getting caught up. Its just weed and its not like he would be the first athlete/celebrity to get in a little trouble for this. I have no idea why the media is STILL talking about this, its been two weeks already. Taking away all his sponsors would be way too severe IMO.

Beach, you surprised Mantai Teo went to Notre Dame? i sure was.

[Dos Equis]

Colt is very open about what happened in CU. He was on 1420am our ESPN affiliate here in honolulu discussing the incedent when he was asked about it during the pre-draft interviews. I havent heard of what actually happened. he does a lot here in Honolulu though and has changed quite a bite since his CU days. Im not defending Colt, but from what i know of him since he came here, he seems like a good guy.

I have never smoked weed, but i can understand a 23 year old who is famous getting caught up. Its just weed and its not like he would be the first athlete/celebrity to get in a little trouble for this. I have no idea why the media is STILL talking about this, its been two weeks already. Taking away all his sponsors would be way too severe IMO.

Beach, you surprised Mantai Teo went to Notre Dame? i sure was.

Colt was very open about it.  I don't recall it being anything like what body claims (fondling and exposing).  Sounds like a total embellishment.  Plus, Colt was a choir boy when he was here.  He's arguably the most popular athlete in Hawaii history.  Got his degree.  I really have no complaint about how he conducted himself while in Hawaii.  Only thing I’d take issue with is he didn't spend enough time in the weight room. 

I was a little surprised about Manti.  Most everyone had him going to USC.  I was listening to Curran when the story broke and he had a USC reporter on the phone at the time.  The guy sounded like he was kicked in the stomach. 

I think it was a good decision.  Notre Dame has a great program (even if their coach is an egomaniac).  Good environment.  Closer to how he lives his life than the heart of LA at USC. 

I was more surprised to see Roby Toma go to ND instead of UCLA.  We didn't even offer the kid till last week.  Somebody was asleep at the switch.   

[Option D]

They should have all cut him loose.  He broke the law.  And he was dumb enough to do it with a camera on him, while he was one of the most popular sports figures on the planet. 

Terrible role model. 

very dumb law

[Dos Equis]

very dumb law

Still the law.

[Cap]

Great swimmer, dopey kid who is notorious for being an ass in his personal life.  You think he would have learned from the DUI but he didn't.  Whether or not you agree with the law, his actions were dumb considering the attention that follows him.

[body88]

Great swimmer, dopey kid who is notorious for being an ass in his personal life.  You think he would have learned from the DUI but he didn't.  Whether or not you agree with the law, his actions were dumb considering the attention that follows him.

True, but he said he was sorry, his sponsers pay him private money to sell products for them and they are ok with that happened.  It's not a big deal.

[Cap]

True, but he said he was sorry, his sponsers pay him private money to sell products for them and they are ok with that happened.  It's not a big deal.

I don't really care either way.  I'm not a big fan of him personally but he can swim.  Gary Hall Jr. did the same shit and nobody cared.  If it was juice I would care, a little...okay a lot.

The kid is a dope but he got a punishment so let's all move on.  I would not compare Phelps to A Rod, that's for sure.  He just needs to be smarter with as much attention as he gets.

[body88]

Moral crusader?  I like that one.     Let's assume for the sake of discussion that I'm only a moral crusader when it suits me.  What in the world does that have to do with Michael Phelps putting people's lives in danger by driving drunk, breaking state and federal law by smoking pot, getting photographed while breaking state and federal law, and taking money so his face can be plastered in front of millions of children?  I understand the need to attack the messenger at times, but even if you do so in this instance, it doesn't change the facts.   

If he was truly a man of integrity he would fall on his sword, give up the endorsements he hasn't lost already, and try and win them back in four years. 

Regarding the issue of Colt, which again has zero to do with Phelps, give me the link showing he "fondled" a woman and "exposed himself."  I'm not going to accuse you of making stuff up (although you have done that about Colt in the past), but that would be news to me.  But maybe I missed that part of the story.     

I'm not "attacking the messenger", beach.  I think you go on moral crusades when it suits you.  The kid smoked some pot and someone took a picture of it.  He apologized and his main sponsors decided that they wanted to continue paying him their own money to represent them.  The vast majority of people who have been commenting on this issue agree that it's just not that big of a deal.  Your ideals and insinuations are unrealistic and ridiculous.  Why would the kid give up his endorsements?  Again, that is for the companies who pay him to decide.

The Colt issue that I brought up has everything to do with your inconsistent opinion of Mike Phelps.  You're a huge fan of Colt Brennen...a guy who was kicked off the CU team for getting drunk, breaking into a woman's dorm room (and allegedly) doing some pretty disgusting things.  According to the story posted, Colt was forced to spend one week in jail, cop a plea deal, he was put on probation, expelled from CU and he was kicked off the football team.  The newspaper that first reported this story had Brennen allegedly fondling and exposing himself to the young women who accused him of rape. Further more, your boy Jevon Bass was recruited out of prison! He stole someones car and caught a 15 month bid before he came to UH.  Your own coach admits that he recruits players from JAIL.  Hypocrisy!  You make excuses and ignore the past of your UH guys, but you rip Phelps for smoking a little weed.  Come on.

Brennen Story
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/92490-the-truth-about-colt-brennan

(The charges that were reported in the original news story can be found on Colts wikpedia page)

A qoute from the USA today story in the link provided:

The three best players I've had in this program were Pisa Tinoisamoa (now a linebacker with the St. Louis Rams), Colt Brennan and Davone Bess, and I recruited all three of them from jail," Jones says. "We can't get a kid like that to come to Hawaii. If a kid like that doesn't have legal trouble, he's going to USC or Colorado or somewhere."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/wac/2007-12-20-hawaii-football_N.htm

[Dos Equis]

Great swimmer, dopey kid who is notorious for being an ass in his personal life.  You think he would have learned from the DUI but he didn't.  Whether or not you agree with the law, his actions were dumb considering the attention that follows him.

Yep.