Photo of Michael Phelps smoking pot? He says it's him

[RamboLiberal]

TAMPA, Fla. -- Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana.

News of the World, a British tabloid, posted a picture with an accompanying story today that the publication says shows the 14-time Olympic gold medalist taking a hit from a bong at a college party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The article's headline: WHAT A DOPE.

The article said that the photo was taken last November during a visit by Phelps to the campus to visit a girl he had been seeing. It also said that Phelps, described as "loud" and "obnoxious" by students, spent much of his time there partying.

The story also said the Phelps' representatives "went into a panic over our story and offered us a raft of extraordinary incentives not to run the bong picture."

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture.

Phelps said: "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/michael-phelps-admits-regrettable-behavior.html

[Ian David]

1. That's not pot. That's Phelps trying to teach himself to breathe water. n/t

[Clear Blue Sky]

13. "What a dope" is right.

The IOC may not look favorably on this. Not helpful to his future swim career.

[bluestateguy]

2. What WILL we tell the children?

nt

[Hello_Kitty]

3. I, for one, couldn't care less.

It's time to legalize this harmless weed and tell the authoritarians to sod off.

[ferrous wheel]

8. I wish he'd just said "Yeah, I smoked a joint...so what?"

sheesh

[liberalhistorian]

26. Amen, I'm so

sick of this hysterical shit.

[sendero]

41. Exactly..

... big, fat hairy fucking deal.

[underpants]

4. I wonder how his endorsements will be effected

:scared:

[mucifer]

5. if you read Obama's autobiography he smoked a lot of pot in high school.

He also states he did cocaine. It's all there in his book. Time for this stuff to be legalized controlled taxed etc.

[The Straight Story]

6. Obama smokes cigs, Phelps Pot - we are doomed!

I usually mix my pot with my tobacco when I roll it so I get the best of both worlds... :)

[BlueCaliDem]

14. ROFLMBO! You sooooo bad! n/t

[The Straight Story]

21. Yeah, you think by now I would be the president of the swimmer's association

The only stroking I am doing though ain't in the water... :rofl:

[BlueCaliDem]

50. You are BAD to the bone... uh...LOL! n/t

[Luna_C_06]

58. Glad to know I'm not the only one.....

:smoke: But I only smoke once in a while. Last time was about a week before Halloween, if anyone cares. I still don't understand what the big deal about pot is though, it's much safer than a lot of the prescription pain killers out there.

[glowing]

7. Time to leagalize marijuana. Its insanity that keep that dead-ended law

in place.. At least classify the drug in a diff. category so that it is not an illegal narcotic to be caught with. Pot is not a narcotic by most people's standards. Its certainly nothing like crack, meth, extasy, or heroin.

[BlueCaliDem]

17. I'd vote for that! I never did pot or any other drug outside tobacco (which is worse)

but knowing that marijuana isn't addictive, doesn't make people aggressive (it makes them chill to the extreme), and is innocent compared to tobacco, I don't see why this is considered "illegal". :shrug:

[glowing]

31. As well, the medical help it provides for people with cancer, AIDs, and

even elderly with glaucoma or cataracts (not sure which one it helps with), is something that most people in America recognize. If your mom's fighting breast cancer, and you know that mj helps her deal with the chemo treatment and keeps allows her more comfort, then you don't care what the govt "labels" it... you go and purchase it for her care. I love that certain states have said a big F-You to the govt in allowing medical access for mj.. just hate that during slow times the DEA and FBI bust up state approved mj distribution centers and ruin plants for the dist. centers patients. Its rather sick that our govt continues to rule against the will of the people. Most of America.. over 60% would like to see mj legalized and sold in a store (like a liquor store) and is "sin" taxed to help provide money that our govt agencies desperately need. AND Americans approve its medical uses by a larger margin.. but that has to do with big pharma.. god-forbid a stinking weed provide so much great help with relief from stress, depression, aches and pains, etc... They'd be out of business with the loss of so many people walking into the Pot Store and buying something as simple as a weed.. or for people just to grow it in their garden... LOL.

[BlueCaliDem]

49. Big Pharma can't patent anything natural, like mj. It's all about the

fat bottom line, nothing to do with anything else. If they could put a patent on mj, you BET they'd lobby congress to get it legalized!

Anyone claiming their herbal methods can cure are in trouble with the FDA. They'll shut you down faster than you can say "cure" and prosecute you to the full extent of the law, even throw you in prison just so you know who you've effed with.

Marijuana has so many positive uses in today's world of terminal diseases that if the FDA really is interested in helping the American people, they'd lobby to have it legalized, and allow Americans to grow the stuff in their backyard for personal use.

But Big Pharma owns our Congress-critters and unless Americans stand up against them and force those reps and senators to look out for the best interests of the people that have sent them to their posh offices and jobs, nothing will change.

[Ignis]

53. But if we legalized marijuana...

Where would we put all the African-American males?

How else would police routinely circumvent search and seizure laws?

How would the private prison industry come up with huge bribes...er, campaign contributions?

:spank:

[Aqaba]

9. Good for him!

Nothing wrong with a few bong hits after breaking a shitload of Olympic records.

[CatWoman]

10. well

my estimation of him just went up several notches :smoke:

[underpants]

11. God can you imagine the pull he can take on one of those

I have friends you used to once do that sort of thing

[TahitiNut]

20. Yup.

:hug: :smoke:

[TwilightGardener]

12. Sounds like his mental development stalled out somewhere between

the freshman and sophomore years of college. I've noticed that kids who are deprived of normal life experiences often go back to them as adults. He hasn't quite finished with the frat-house phase.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

15. Not like it's a performance-enhancing drug.

:shrug:

[TahitiNut]

25. Well... (cough) that depends on what you're doin', as I recall.

Memory Lane: There was one night over 35 years ago ... with Denise ... (sigh) :silly: ... it was awesome.

[givemebackmycountry]

16. Costas just breathlessly reported this on the SB pre-game show -

Just once, I want one of these guys to say the following after they get their picture taken like the one above:

Yeah, I smoked some pot. So, what? Did I harm anyone? NO. Did I harm myself? NO. I smoked a few bowls, and I'll smoke a few more if I feel like it. Most of America has smoked it at one time or another, maybe we need to look into why it's still illegal and why no one wants to talk about that. I don't give a damn if you like it or not so get over it.

[underpants]

35. It is for the most part a domestic industry

maybe we could get that in the stimulus bill

[skiddlybop]

36. Thank you.

I would add:

You're shocked? Like you or your family members never smoked? Or maybe you are meth and oxy-heads like Rush Limbaugh.

Please. You need to get out more.



Sorry thing is, even Madonna could not say SFW once the sanctimonious media got after her. But I predict this "controversy" has the shortest life ever.

[20score]

18. It's only news worthy if it's a hypocrite. Otherwise, enjoy yourself Michael, it is your life.

[Happyhippychick]

19. He's human? I don't believe it...

[NeedleCast]

22. I wouldn't let Phelps near my pot

With a lung capacity like he's got, he's the definition of the word Bogart.

[appleannie1]

23. I could care less. I have never smoked pot but IMO it should be legal.

Apparently smoking pot did not hurt his ability to swim.

[NOW tense]

24. I think it sad of our society

that we believe that a 23 year old should be "perfect". For parents to expect anyone else to be a role model besides themselves is selfish.

[grannie4peace]

29. so very true

[Iggo]

27. Young man smokes pot!

Oh dear god, NOOOOOOOoooooooo...(!)

[undeterred]

28. Phelps is a party boy who likes women, alcohol, and smoking pot...

He got a DUI when he was 19. But why do the media always have to force someone like him into their idea of a "role model"? Phelps is proof that you can be a stellar athlete even if you are not so disciplined in other parts of your life.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

30. too bad he felt the need to play along with the HORRIFIED morality police.

screw them.

He's an elite athlete.

he works hard enough to deserve his fame. He should be allowed to party. You know--be a whole person. What a concept!!

fuck this CONSERVATIVE expectation of saintly behaviour, 24/7

And fuck the conservative need to regulate victimless "crime"!! Some jerk offs criminilized a harmless substance (racist influences there!!); so brainless authoritarians who believe the populace must be controlled endlessly beat the drum.

Meanwhile, what legal drug is decisively linked to violence, crime, etc etc?? Booze.

[prolesunited]

33. With so many endorsemnts at stake, why do you act surprised?

By saying it was a mistake, perhaps he will manage to keep some contracts. By saying, "So what? Screw you." I doubt he has any hope.

Although I agree with your premise about regulations, the fact is that it is still against the law.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

43. oh no surprise---

guess I'd be more surprised by celebs who put their integrity above $$$ driven pretense.

The argument that it's against the law, therefore it's bad and should remain against the law, because it's against the law, and those who break this law should be censured because they're breaking the law, is a circular argument. I find no value in it.

[Blue Dog Dominion]

32. His lungs must hold a fuckload of smoke

Fuckload is an industry term.

[SmileyRose]

44. funniest post in the thread

:)

[jmowreader]

34. You know what's going to happen at the 2012 Olympics, right?

"Mr. Phelps, the rest of the swimmers are tired of competing only for the silver and bronze medals, so to make all three medals competitive you are required to smoke a blunt before every heat."

Ross Rebagliati won the snowboarding gold when HE was lit; I see no reason why Michael Phelps cannot do the same.

[anonymous171]

37. I'm just glad it wasn't a cigarette .

His lungs need to be in perfect condition.

[Runcible Spoon]

38. This is the poster child for non-issue.

My good friend is a professional judo wrestler with realistic expectations to be in the 2012 Games. Her argument with pot is that it can be used as a bronchial dilator and analgesic. However, it's training season, it's not like he's getting high right before he races. The real issue here is the 3 year testing policy. Honestly, doping and beating drug testing is an art form in sports at this level. Something like pot is the least of the IOC's worries and they should really just worry about steroid testing for the 3 year span.

[devilgrrl]

39. I am now the hugest Michael Phelps fan ever!!!!

BTW, I knew someone very close to US Men's Swimming - according to him, most swimmers are huge stoners, especially the guys.

[skepticscott]

40. How disillusioning

The next thing they'll be telling us is that Olympic snowboarders have been smoking weed...DUDE!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

45. rofl!! n/t

[Loge23]

42. Best endorsement for legalization I've ever seen

If this fellow can accomplish what he has and still take a toke, then there is absolutely no legimate reason for the continued prohibition of marijuana.
What a ridiculous and costly law this is.
We have to stop pandering to the Puritans.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

47. stop pandering to the Puritans

[Deja Q]

46. No, it was bad judgment for allowing someone to photograph him so he could be caught in the act.

What a wanker.

And I love it how he says it won't happen again. He'll either have cameras banned or he'll say "I can quit any time I want! Now, can we just bypass the test this week?"

[Are_grits_groceries]

48. I might be wrong, but

that is the first time I can remember somebody flat out saying they did it. I know there were pictures and other people around, but everybody else caught doing something still denies it. Or they have an "excuse."

I can't remember where I heard this, but it could have an effect on his appearance in the next games. I'll try to find some link.

[Vektor]

51. I really don't care if he smokes pot.

I just don't see it as a big deal, and don't even really think he should have apologized for it. That's validating those who try to turn a simple herb into some sort of "demon drug."

[alfredo]

52. If you are in the public eye, be even more discreet. If you want to get a

buzz for a movie, party, or concert, eat a brownie, or a honey slide. You will have an hour to get to where you are going before you are blitzed. Hours later after the event, scrape yourself off the floor and take a taxi home.

[janx]

54. Given that guy's lungs, I wonder if he gets a better buzz

than we do?

:rofl:

[Catherine Vincent]

55. We're on a desserted island and you'll never believe what we found....

Michael Phelps smoking pot!

:yawn:

[tabasco]

56. LEGALIZE!

Stop ruining lives for the use of an harmless herb.

OH NOES!!! It makes you feel relaxed!!! THE HORROR!!!

[IntravenousDemilo]

57. If he was loud and obnoxious, it was probably BEFORE the bong hit.

If anything, the weed would have mellowed him out.

[cherish44]

59. I doubt there are many people here under the age of 65 who didn't fire up a bowl back in the day

But I'm sure people will find it a reason to wet themselves anyway...

[rcrush]

60. OMG

WHAT ARE WE GOONNNNA DOO?!!? THE CHILDRENZ!

[cbc5g]

61. Michael Phelps should just tell people to "fuck off."

He won all those gold medals and the critics haven't won any. What right do they have to even talk down to him about smoking marijuana? They probably get wasted off alcohol, a far more dangerous drug, every night.

If I were Phelps I'd just retire and live off the large amounts of money he has made. Go chill in the Caribbean for awhile. He'll never get more gold medals than he got last olympic games. He shouldn't have apologized, he should have stood up for peoples rights to use marijuana even if it cost him some opportunities. Sometimes standing up for something is better than cowering and apologizing.

He could have helped create a new dialogue in America about marijuana, he could have come out in support of people's rights and defended himself...but no he had to cower. Sad.

[FLAprogressive]

62. wow who cares

[Bennyboy]

63. I am very disappointed...not so much that he

puffed some weed, but that he is takign the usual line about it. he should have (as everyone else should) said "hey know what, I get high and big fucking deal". and then tried to do something about the stupid ideas about weed that permeate society.