Tarnished Image: Michael Phelps and His Forgotten Responsibility

For many people across Steeler Nation, this week will be one for celebration. Their exciting 27-23 win over the Cardinals in one of the best Super Bowl games ever has vaulted this team and the Steeler organization into the history books. The Pittsburgh Steelers are now the only team that can boast six Vince Lombardi trophies.

Unfortunately, for the more casual sports fan, this week will be one of frustration and disappointment. British tabloid News of the World has released a story with pictures that show Michael Phelps, the winner of eight gold medals in last summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, with a marijuana pipe. The Associated Press has picked up the story and quote Phelps as saying he acknowledged that his behavior was "regrettable".

The real losers in this debacle though are not Michael Phelps or even his sponsors. Both will sweep this under the rug and move on in some form or fashion. It's not adults like us who have witnessed more than our fair share of heroic athletes fall from their pedestals after some action of theirs tainted their image. No, the kids who fell in love with Michael Phelps the gold medalist, America's poster boy for athletic success on the Olympic stage, they are the real losers.

They are the ones who will hear about this story and be utterly confused. They will wonder why this is such a big deal and they will want answers. So parents, brothers, sisters, be ready. You are about to have one of the most difficult conversations you can have. A conversation about how heroes let us down. A conversation that hopefully does not skirt the issue or whitewash the actions of this superstar. That would do this generation a disservice.

Kids today need to know that people make mistakes. They need to understand that it is important to forgive. Everyone should be given a second chance. But, they also need to know that we all have a responsibility to be people of strong character. Whether we ask for it or not, if we are looked up to, we have an important duty to be an example for others. Regardless of age, our standards need to be higher.

Michael said about the incident, "I'm 23 years old and despite the success 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." Why? Because you didn't act in a way people have come to expect? What about your expectations for yourself? Being young is not a get out of jail free card. His young fans should have this explained to them. Our choices matter. For most of the children that are looking up to him, who are now spending hours in a pool training, who one day hope to get a college scholarship or even compete at an Olympic level need to know that a choice to smoke marijuana may be the choice that destroys those dreams.

Michael Phelps made a mistake. It is a mistake that should be forgiven, but a mistake that should be learned from.

Sources:

Georgina Dickinson, "What A Dope", News of the World

"Phelps: Photo with marijuana pipe real", Associated Press.