SportsFullCircle

Unless you have been living under a rock this past week, then you must know of the Michael Phelps bong controversy that has been going on. While the picture surfaced in November, no real media attention has been given to the topic until this week. In addition, USA swimming has suspended Phelps for three months and Kellogg’s has dropped Phelps from being their spokesperson. But seriously folks my question out there is what is the big deal here?

The USA swimming suspension I can sort of understand. By not doing anything to quell down the controversy, people would suspect that USA swimming condones this behavior. However, was a suspension really needed. Phelps is their MVP and wouldn’t just a simple talking to and warning be straightforward enough?

The Kellogg’s incident I have a little more trouble understanding though. According to a Kellogg’s PR rep, ” Michael’s most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellog”.I mean Kellogg’s does have a point. Michael isn’t a multi colored toucan, one of three midgets, or a tiger. He is quite simply a superstar athlete which I’m pretty sure does not truthfully represent the high sugar content and empty calories that respected breakfast past times like Coco Puffs and Apple Jacks repersent. Maybe the next time they hire a fit superstar as their spokesman, they should label their cereal with the warning that “Consumption will not lead to being a healthy fit Olympic champion”.

While some push forth the argument that since Phelps is a celebrity and a role model, he should be put on a higher pedestal then the rest of us and that in this situation, the ends justify the means. While that might be a logical argument, don’t you think that someone who made a mistake, realized what he did was wrong and then apologized for it a better and more realistic role model then the golden boy he was perceived to be? In addition, doing a bong is not the worst offense this man could of done. Instead of smoking a bong, imagine what would happen if Phelps took steroids, or got a DWI, or perhaps raped somebody at that college party. If this is the consequence for smoking a bong and being like a normal frat house boy, imagine what the punishment for the other offenses might be? Jail? a lifetime suspension? While we all know that smoking a bong is not the best thing to do in your free time, people do it anyways Should we suspend everyone from their jobs for doing a bong occasionally? And with much bigger sports news around these day such as the Kobe and LeBron duels and upcoming spring training, unless your an overprotective mother, who really gives a *uck.