I know I wasn't alone, but it sure seemed like it. I have a confession and I have stood by it since Day 1. This summer, I was rooting against Michael Phelps.
I got some looks, some "how could you's," and a difference of opinion from my mom who watched every Phelps gold with near tears. My reasoning? Too much hype. He overshadowed every other swimmer and the games as a whole. Sure, I respect the guy for being a beast in the water but the media was completely obsessed. Thanks, but I don't need reminders of what Phelps eats in a day while watching volleyball. It didn't stop after the Olympics with VISA, Rosetta Stone and arguably the worst athlete host of SNL.
And now, the media will reap what it sewed. If you haven't heard, the almighty Phelps was caught in the act when News of the World, a British tabloid, printed a picture of him hitting a bong at a South Carolina party in November. Let the madness ensue. The story was released on Super Bowl Sunday, the most holiest of days in the sports world, and a swimmer was to blame. Not just any swimmer, obviously. But the same one who nearly everyone was behind, and now it's the media's turn to eat some of its words.
During the Olympics, Phelps was praised for overcoming his ADD, and his mom became an example of strength and patience. That was the Phelps story we saw a million times. Every once in a blue moon, there would be a segment of how Phelps was charged with a DUI. Surprise, surprise, he apologized and gave the PR answer that's spit out from every celebrity that gets caught doing something illegal. And for a time, he was forgiven. After all, he was America's hero just four years later. His whole little DUI incident didn't get much play.
But could his fans forgive him again? Well, he apologized aaaagain, the same way he did four years ago. He's getting a talking to from the USOC, but swimming's governing body backed him up and accepted his apology. He is swimming's ticket to the big time.
Whatever comes of the Phelps' scandal, I could only hope there will be a little less excitement in 2012. Phelps is human, but in his position he is going to have to be held to a higher standard. He's not the second coming of Christ, and this situation will just prove that.
