Melissa 'Missy' Giove Faces Drug Charges

Former mountain bike world champion Melissa 'Missy' Giove faces drug charges. Associated Press reports that Missy Giove was taken into police custody on Thursday. On Tuesday, police had charged Missy Giove and Eric Canori with conspiring to process and distribute over 100 kg of marijuana. On Thursday, authorities seized more than 200 pounds of marijuana from the truck she was driving in upstate New York.

Melissa 'Missy' Giove Faces Drug Charges: Life and Career

Missy Giove is one of mountain biking's first prominent female stars. Born in 1972, she now lives Chesapeake, VA. Missy Giove is the all-time leader of NOBRA downhill wins (14), second on the World Cup list with 11, and is the 1994 World Champion in downhill racing. She is also the winner of three overall NOBRA titles and two World Cups.

Missy Giove is also known for her eccentric style including her unusual hairstyle, a partially shaved, short bleach-blonde sides, and braided dreadlocks. She is also covered with tattoos and piercings. Missy Giove is openly gay and comfortable with it. She has also received many corporate endorsements including Reebok.

Given what happened to Michael Phelps, one has to wonder how these recent drug charges will affect her marketability. Although Michael Phelps lost his endorsement with Special K, he is not without supporters. On Weekend Update, SNL's Seth Meyers defended Michael Phelps by calling out the narc who ratted him out. In response to concerns that Michael Phelps' behavior may encourage children to want to smoke a bong, Seth argued, "tell your kids they can do whatever they want after they win twelve gold medals for their country."

Melissa 'Missy' Giove Faces Drug Charges: Other Cases

Missy Giove is not the only athlete facing charges for drug and alcohol related crimes. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth is beginning a 30 sentence for a DUI. According to ABC News, Stallworth had pleaded guilty to manslaughter under the influence of alcohol in exchange for the lighter sentence. Donte Stallworth had faced up to 15 years in prison for hitting Mario Reyes with his car while driving under the influence.

In the cases of Missy Giove and Michael Phelps, their crimes were victimless especially when compared to Dante Stallworth. Yet all three cases demonstrate that while athletes can serves as role models for young people, athletes are fallible just like anyone else.
Sources:

Ex-mountain bike champ Giove hit with drug charge, Associated Press

Browns' Donte Stallworth Gets 30 Days for DUI , Sharyn Alfonsi, Rich McHugh and Imaeyen Ibanga, ABC News