Michael Phelps has hit the news not for his gold medals, but for his extracurricular activities. Was it right to bring his "Bong" story to the public arena, was it fair that he lost the Kellogg's endorsement?
USA Today states:
Phelps, 23, and his representatives have not disputed the photo's accuracy. Phelps has issued a public apology, acknowledging "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after the photo appeared. USA Swimming has suspended Phelps for three months and the Kellogg Co. has cut ties with him, although other sponsors are sticking with the swimmer.
Yes, absolutely is my answer. Phelps has been acknowledged as a role model, after his Olympic victories of Gold in China. He IS an Olympian, that means something and carries a personal responsibility of integrity. He used poor judgment and was caught, there are consequences for those actions. For Phelps the consequences were costly both figuratively as well as monetarily.
We have become a society that believes we can make up our own laws and thumb our noses at what the City, State and Federal Government sets forth as laws that keep us safe and civil. We see this throughout history, with dire consequences. Yet, people continue to conduct themselves with the frame of thought that says, "What I do, does not have any affect on anyone else."
Sorry, it does! People are watching, talking, and observing your behavior.
We all make a difference where we are, where we live, it matters how you choose to conduct your life because it directly impacts those around you. And, if you happen to be Michael Phelps, it influences a broader audience than most, and the consequences for his actions are greater, or are they?
The results of years of testing have recently revealed the link between smoking marijuana and cancer, in particular testicular cancer in young men. Perhaps the consequences of his actions could mean encouraging teenage boys to smoke and eventually lead them to suffer these consequences. Which is the greater price?
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