Phelps Phlop

WHAT ARE WE DOING?!

This chastising of Michael Phelps must stop immediately. Regardless of your opinion on drug use, Michael Phelps has suffered plenty...and we're next. What? He's a role model and must be held to a higher standard than the rest? He betrayed your belief in everything good? Is Michael Phelps the reason the economy sucks? Is it Mike's fault your favorite band sucks? Why are we attacking this American Hero so ruthlessly??! If you haven't figured it out yet...it's time to lay off the kid and focus on your own life.

Ok, so maybe you're not the reason Kellog's dropped its sponsorship of Phelps. And you're probably not the reporter probing Phelps for his 108th apology next to the pool. BUT if you watch the next SportsCenter story on Michael Phelps then you are still the problem. All this media scrutiny will end as soon as ESPN sees we don't care anymore.

Why must we dissolve any feelings towards the Phelps case? Because now he's considering taking away the 2012 Olympics from us. That's right, the salacious media and public scrutiny has pushed Mike so far into a corner that he's made an ultimatum. Great work America. Is your memory so short that you can't recall the emotions you felt during this?

This Phelps case shows how ridiculous our standards for great athletes has become. I'm not defending the actions of sportsmen like Michael Vick, Alex Rodriguez, Pacman Jones, or the like...these individuals hurt other people with their actions. Athletes like Phelps and Brett Favre made mistakes humans would make, and I think that's lost in the hoopla of million dollar sponsorships and ESPN commentaries. The humanity of our greatest athletes is what I find so appealing. Michael Phelps is more than a swimmer. He was a student here at the University of Michigan at this time last year, enjoying the youth that most find fleeting. Brett Favre threw interceptions, set records, retired, un-retired...and I loved him for it. The more we demand of these great athletes, the harder it will be for anyone to meet thee expectations.

Where will Michael be in 2012? Hopefully being congratulated by President Obama for setting a new Olympic record and not toking up with the president. Oh did you forget that Barack smoked? See? It's that easy to forget.