Can he be a good "roll" model? I don't know.
But I think he's still a good "role" model for kids who see their own frailties in a sporting legend. It helps them realize that even Olympic champions are every bit as human as they are.

I definitely think Michael Phelps would make an excellent ROLE model...he doesn't look very much like someone who would be a good ROLL model, however. :-)

Why oh why, in this day and age with the advent of you tube and unrelenting media coverage would you want your child to have a celebrity. athlete, etc. as a role model? Here's a novel idea; be a role model for your own child. Spend time with them, get to know what their interests are and participate. I've had extensive conversations with my 8 yo who is an avid baseball fan regarding Clemons, A-Rod, etc. Sometimes athletes make bad decisions, just like everyone else. As far as Phelps is concerened what is worse; that he used MJ or that he allowed himself to be put in a position where he would be photographed and put on you tube? Exceptional atletes are not necessarily exceptional people.

Hey, Bill Clinton became President.

Thank you to everyone who pointed out (and took me to task for) my own stupid mistake! What an embarrassing typo. For the record, my favorite "roll" model is the croissant! --LMA

I think it shows kids that these people are human just like you and me. They have made mistakes, been punished for them and are working on improving themselves and hopefully plan to never make the same mistake again.

Though he may be an olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is still a 23 year old guy doing what a lot of 23 year old guys do. What happens in the pool is what should be the focus of kids who look up to him. In the pool he's super human, outside of the pool he's just like you and me.

Why is he a role model, anyway? Because he swims fast?? Precisely how does that affect the development of your child?? If you want your child to have a decent role model, try that object you see in the mirror each morning. It's readily available and much more realistic for your children to respond to...

Raise your own kids. Stop seeking help from athletes, entertainers, and others simply because they appear on TV. It's not their responsibility to set a life path for your kids. No need to affix yourselves to BS imagery. No matter what superstar you pick, they all have a proverbial "bong in the closet"... If nothing else, THERE'S the lesson for your kids. (Hey, he's a role model after all!)

And by the way, it's 'role' model, not 'roll' model.

Michael Phelps can indeed be a good role model, anyone who thinks otherwise should get off of their high horse and examine their own lives. He is an extremely talented human being who is actually being human. He has learned a valuable lesson about who he should hang out with and who might be his friend but other than that he is the same person that holds himself to high standards of acheivement and excellence.

Please do not equate Michael with Arod, Spears or Vick what he did and whatthey have done are on very different planes.

Why was he ever a role model?

Marijuana isn't bad. They guy worked his *ss off and succeeded. Big deal he took a rip from a bong while partying one night. It just furthers the case that marijuana isn't as bad as everyone thinks. Kind of funny how the best athlete in the world smokes pot, and everyone thinks its so harmful...its obviously not

Sorry. Send the right message. We want people to aspire to. They ARE out there.

Why should kids look up to athletes in the first place? That's pretty sad. The dude swims around a pool for a living. In Japan, kids idolize Bill Gates. In America, these stupid little runts look up to Britney Spears and baseball players. I suppose I should expect nothing more from a country that still can't collectively concede that there's nothing wrong with smoking weed. Puff puff pass Michael Phelps. You're not a role model - you're a guy who gets paid way too much for putting on a Speedo.

Lady, the guy smoked a little bit of weed relax. If the guy can win all those gold medals and still smoke weed that is a hell of an accomplisment. If he had a beer in his hand would we be talking about this? no. Maybe our perception of marijuana as unacceptable needs to change. Certainly its not a good example for kids, but to be banned for swimming for a drug that is socially accepeted in almost half of the US and most of the world? Ridiculous!

Get a life! A 21 year old smoking marijuana! There's a shocker! Just legalize the stuff and all the other drugs - treat them as 'tolerated substances' - like alcohol - stop spending zillions trying to enforce these stupid laws - and just regulate them. Most of society's problems go away.
You hypocritical parents who tried marijuana when were that age act outraged when the current generation does the same. Michael's accomplishments are not diminished!

Phelps made a stupid choice as a sponsored professional athlete, but as a 23 year old at a college party he fit right in. He should not have been so stupid as to let a picture be taken of himself, but his qualities as a role model are still quite strong. A-Rod is a whining self absorbed athlete with to much press and too big of a head, he's no role model. Michael Vick ran an overtly cruel dog fighting operation, he's no role model. Brittany Spears has proved (and will continue) to be a horrible role model to her own children, how could she be a positive role model to yours?

Phelps is an idiot for getting caught, but yes, I agree, he's a positive role model.

I don't know if anyone else has brought up this angle, but it comes to mind when thinking about "role model." It seems plausible that Phelps does not actually and sincerely or fully think that smoking pot was in fact horribly immoral or objectionable or generally a gigantic example of poor judgment in general. (As opposed to doing it around whoever took the picture and sold it to the tabloids.)

But when it comes to public light, he gets up and says that doing it was that bad. To save himself and probably the publicists who told him to say that. Even though he doesn't think so.

Is that a role model?

Are those people who smoke cigarettes any less a role model for people? How about those who might have a few drinks and drive home? What about a person who might have a slight addition to pornography?

The only issue here is that Michael Phelps got caught. Same with the Michael Vicks, the A-Rods, the Britney Spears.

What no one seems to understand is that no one is perfect. For all anyone knows, that high-school teacher, coach, family member, etc, that has been your role model for years could have smoked a few joints in their life. Does that make them any more or less influential to you?

Michael Phelps will continue to be a good role model. He is young and is obviously a good person who had a lapse in judgement. We all have them. He got railroaded for this when there are much worse offenses and bigger fish to fry (rampant steroid abuse in baseball, for example).

A-Rod was caught doping, and caught lying as well; unless he fesses up and admits the whole truth he cannot be considered a role model.

Spears lost her goodwill, and judgement, it seems, long ago.

Vick is an animal abuser. He didn't just do something to himself; he put other beings in pain and harm's way and caused their suffering and deaths. That is purely repugnant.

"I had learned not to care, I blew a few smoke rings, remembering those years. Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though."
- Barack Obama, "Dreams From My Father"

Many parents don't hesitate to hold the new president out as a good role model for their sons or daughters. I suspect they don't hesitate because, even though this is a man whose admitted to using marijuana and cocaine, he's learned from those poor decisions and mistakes. He's shown that he can be a better person than that.

Everyone makes bad choices in their lives. Michael Phelps did, but only time will tell us whether he can be a better person than that, or whether he's learned from his mistakes.

A young adult using pot and cocaine as a roll model? No. A young famous athlete using pot as a role model? Again, no. An intelligent, inspiring president? Arguably, yes.

It's really up to MIchael Phelps; it's entirely in his hands.

How do you feel about his DUI, then?

I guess my question is should we ever have considered Phelps (or Rodriguez or Spears) to have been role models in the first place? I think no. They are all talented people in their chosen profession who are rich. However, none of them save people from burning buildings. None of them educate people with learning disabilities. None of them fly off to Afghanistan to risk their lives and serve their country.

We need to change our culture to one which reveres service and honor and hard work over one which glorifies fame and wealth and glamor. OK, so this is a big task, but we need to start in our own home with our own kids and tell them that "Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer, sure, but the guy who lives across the street works two jobs to take care of his kids and his sick mother...he is a hero!"

Obama and Bush both admitted to snorting cocaine and smoking dope and look at the mess they got us in. Obama is partying the country into oblivion. Phelps on the other hand smokes some pot now and again and easily took 8 Olympic gold medals. What does that teach us about the evils of pot? Obama and Bush could certainly learn a lesson from Phelps - work hard, be smart and don't party until it's over.

As for Pay-Rod - he cheated. Steroids are cheating and that is much worse than smoking the couchy-couchy on the couch with you friends listening to Metallica and watching zombie movies.

Leave Phelps alone! Give him his credit ans a great Olympian. Those other liars and cheaters (A-Roid and Spears) committed immoral deads. Phelps was just having fun.

Anyone can make a mistake but no athlete should be regarded as a role model who makes millions of dollars doing product endorsements for sugar coated breakfast cereal made from federally subsidized corn.
Get a clue.

Michael Phelps WAS a "Role" Model and has let everyone down. He is a big, homely goober who can swim and now is a bigshot ...with women (who would never look at him before) throwing themselves at him . He will probably continue to embarrass himself and his fans.
.

Michael Phelps is a 23 year old man that knew better. However, is he and was he ever a role model for life outside of a lap pool? What he does outside of a lap pool is his business and not that of his fans. People look up to him based on his ability to slice through the water faster than any other swimmer. Further, his behavior pales when compared to A-Rod's behavior. A-Rod impacted the game of baseball directly and his rehabilitation will take much more effort. Finally, if marijuana smoking is to be discouraged, then the widespread reporting of the latest research findings concerning its impact on something important to every young man, their testicles, would be more effective than Michael Phelps being suspended for three months. If the thought of having a testicle removed because of cancer doesn't at least cause a momentary thought to a young male teen ,then all the preaching in the world isn't going to make a difference. Actually, don't steroids have the same potential impact?

He took a hit from a bong. Get over yourself.

Branding expert John Tantillo did a post on his marketing blog right after the photo came out, suggesting that Phelps use this crisis as a springboard to promote himself in a more authentic way (as a kid who has overcome real challenges..but is by no means a flawless role model).

I wasn't aware that any of these celebs had careers modeling rolls, however, as potential ROLE models, I think Phelps has a chance. Pot smoking is viewed a little less negatively than chronic meltdowns and family drama (Britt), arrogance to the nth degree (A-Rod) or criminal use and abuse of animals (Vicks).

This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. I guess I'm not surprised that smoking weed out of a "glass pipe", better known as a bong, would incite the rage of parents and the local authority more so than, say, a politician or other "stand up" member of the community whose actions have actually affected other people. In Boston, for instance, where was the rage last year when the cement block fell and killed a lady under the new pike. Those people who stole money, and lied about the project should be in jail. So, Instead of an opinion piece about real matters of judgment we get this role model crap. Try discussing something of importance, not the party habits of a 23 year old kid.

As if 99.99% of American parents haven't done bong hits. Please. Leave the guy ALONE. Enough already. It was weed. Not heroin!

"Our kids aren't perfect -- they will make stupid mistakes and bad choices"
Not everyone thinks this was a stupid mistake or a bad choice. Millions of hard working Americans kick back at the end of a hard day and smoke a little marijuana. This Man made an adult choice, and that choice despite what critics may say is ok and didn't hirt anyone until it was broadcast to the world. Unlike his underage drunk driving incedent, now that was a real concern, that puts peoples lives in danger, and that is what is really inportant. Get a grip on what is important, and let an American Hero enjoy his evening how he wants, especialy before he hits the pool to train for the next Olimpic Games when he wont be able to do anything but train a eat and sleep.

Please do not put these sports figures and entertainers in the same category as Mike Vick. Vick is a sick individual who brutalized defenseless dogs for pleasure. Killing them by hanging, drowning and electrocution. The gross brutality and heinous acts of this monster do not compare to the stupid mistakes these other people have done.

Of course it's possible - being a role model doesn't mean you're perfect and don't make mistakes. Being a role model means owning up to the mistakes you make, admit to them, admit you were wrong, and don't do it (or anything like it) again... That is a more important lesson to our children than "Be Perfect"....

Who cares if he smoked some dope? Get off your high horse. I admire him for his athletic prowess and will continue to do so.

Learn from this:
http://www.theagitator.com/2009/02/01/a-letter-id-like-to-see-but-wont/

How is it germane that his cap was on backwards?

In any event, I think situations like this present parents with opportunities for discussion. Some points to cover:
1) no-one is perfect, and it is perhaps more telling of their character how they deal with having their imperfections splashed across the media.
2) that role models can and should come from all walks of life, and shouldn't simply include celebrities and sports figures
3) that being in the public eye can be extremely difficult, even when it is due to one's accomplishments.
4) finally, he who is without sin...

I'm not condoning what Phelps did, just recognizing that he's human.

why is he a role model anyway? Please tell me why anyone looks to athletes as role models? Charles Barkley took abuse for his drinking and gambling and he was like im not a role model. I like to drink and gamble. Let these kids parants be role models.

I definitely think that Phelps could still be a very good role model. As you've pointed out, everyone makes bad choices and mistakes; if we were to search for someone who had never made a bad choice or mistake, we wouldn't find anyone.

I'm not so sure about people like A-Rod or Britney Spears, since both are extremely controversial figures in the press. But again, both have chances to redeem themselves, and perhaps that redemption will serve as an example to kids (especially teens and young adults) about how you can make mistakes and still redeem yourself.

A 23 year old.....taking a Bong hit?????My god...I've never heard of such a thing in my life. Im shocked

I don't know about a roll model, but maybe a role model.

Parents can just tell their kids to emulate him in the pool, but that's it. The parents are the ones who should be their kids' role models in terms of morality and behavior. Why rely on someone who they do not know personally for that?

I say no. A role model is more than being somewhat a good singer or a great athlete. What do Phelps/Spears/ARod do apart from training/swimming/baseball/singing that make them a role model. Pointing out their accomplishments is great for a kid who loves to swim and gets excited by it.
However, we as parents need to be careful who we call role models for our kids. We try to set good examples for our kids, but fall short a lot of time and have to explain why. So why not use ourselves or someone who is doing something more purposeful than being an athlete or singer?

Athletes are only role models because what they do is easily understandable to an eight year old. When I was a kid, my role models were not athletes, they were scientists and inventors and businessmen and doctors, people with learning who could make the world a better place.

Kicking a ball around a field or running fast is something kids should do, but not idolize adults for doing. In fact they ought to feel a little weird seeing grownups playing kids games for a living, much less being rewarded for it.

Is this question a joke? Pot does not preclude someone from being a good role model. Clinton smoked, Bush did coke, and Obama smoked too...Why is this even an issue, it's ridiculous.

let's discuss this over cocktails. alcohol, the most damaging drug in our spectrum, would this have even gained notice if he'd been photographed having a shot? illegal does not always equal immoral. Kellog's is doing much more damage thru their nutritional subterfuge.

I am the parent of two boys that swim, ages 10 and 8. Just last night, my 10 year old asked me about this as it was a discussion amongst the kids in his lane during workout. I responded that Michael made a really bad choice and as a result he is paying the consequences of that choice. I'm not going to debate whether pot is OK or whether athletes shoudl be role models. That is not the point of the writer's question. The question is about values that we as parents are trying to pass on to our children. My son made the assumption pot is bad. I didn't see the need to have a discussion about it with him given that assumption. What I did think is important to discuss is that when you make a mistake you pay the price. That is the real lesson is here. Michael made a mistake and took his licks. No BS about "it wasn't weed" or "it wasn't really me". Just an immediate acknowledgement of a mistake. That is the lesson I want my son to take out of this. Admit the mistake, rectify it, move on.

I was a swimmer in college. I am married to a former collegiate swimmer. We were both nationally ranked and participated in the 1992 Olympic Trials. We have many friends who are former Olympic swimmers and coach in the sport today. I have a acute appreciation for what it takes to become an elite swimmer in the sport.

I would just like to comment to any parent who agitates over whether Phelps "could be" a role model, that what he achieved is mind-bendingly difficult to grasp. What he did by becoming the Greatest Olympic Athlete to ever walk the planet, is simply Epic. You could not imagine the amount of hard work, focus, dedication, sacrifice, natural talent, and creative imagination that is required to even attempt to accomplish this feat. We will not see another athlete even approach this level of accomplishment in the sport of swimming for at least 50 years, and probably longer. I promise you, your great-grandchildren will marvel at Phelps' feat.

And please, wrap your mind around this fact...as bright and promising as your own children are, it is extremely unlikely that they will ever achieve anything, in any field, on any level, that compares even remotely to what Phelps has already achieved. You can only pray that your own kids should aspire to become like Phelps.

Yes he can,

Why do we hold others up to standards we have not up held.

Question, everyone who has gotten behind the wheel after one to many please turn the lights off in your house tonight @ 8 pm.

@ 8 p.m the north east goes dark

Leave the kid alone. What exactly is it that he did wrong? The same thing that millions of people across this nation do? I bet 50% of the parents that now think he is no longer a role model take a tote or two themselves. Shouldn't they be the "best" role models? I'm a mom with a 23-year-old son and a few teenage nieces. If they look to Mr. Phelps as a role model, I'm quite content that they picked someone that is a hard, dedicated worker who pursued his dream and proved anything is possible. Much rather Mr. Phelps than Lohan, Spears or Paris (must say that my son would never idolize these women but my nieces.....). As far as A-rod, Vick or Spears, it's comparing apple to oranges. A-rod "cheated", Vick abused animals and Spears is just a celeb that got messed up in the crazed world of celebritydom. And, for the record, I'm not an advocate of marijuana, but if Mr. Phelps wants to kick back, relax and is not hurting anyone, LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!

Of course he can. He still can be a role model for drug addicts.

of course michael phelps can still be a role model. he's accomplished so much in his career as a swimmer and what could be better than that? yea he may have hit a bong and all that stuff. but still though... who really cares? i mean, if i were in his position, i'd try to have some fun too, with swimming dominating my life since high school. he's damn good at what he does, and i for one would not mind sharing a bowl with the man. he seems like an alright dude to me.

Just curious as to why your 'role models' are athletes and pop stars? They should not be role models in the first instance. Role models should be real people, an Uncle, a God-mother, a brother, a teacher...Phelps is a brilliant swimmer...aaaannndd?

Then again, the whole issue with Phelps is moronic. He took a hit off a bong. Big deal. The better question is why is it illegal to begin with? If he was using a legal drug which is much more harmful (alcohol is what I am thinking) there would be no issue. If you wanted a reason for him to not be looked up to, how about his drunk driving driving arrest?

Blue Heaven1: I agree with you completely. I have been a swimmer for most of my life and have competed on the National level, trained with Olympic swimmers, and been coached by some of the greatest coaches in the sport. Swimming is highly under-rated and if it were not for Michael Phelps the United States would still be in the dark about the sport. The dedication, determination and self discipline that is required to get up at 5:30 in the morning and train at that caliber is something that not too many people can grasp.

As for Chris Faraone, I see nothing wrong with looking up to athletes as role models. They are the best in their sport, just like Bill Gates is the best at what he does. Everyone is human, no one is perfect, and people mess up. It is how one rises after they fail that they should be judged on. Michael Phelps has handled everything with class and has suffered the consequences. I would rather my child look up to an athlete than someone who embezzles money, lies about their taxes, or cheats on their significant other.

LMA, I thought you were making a good pun with the word "roll."

Ha! Thanks, Sall! -- LMA

It amazes me that people are in such a tizzy about phelps. It amazes me in general what people in the United States get up in arms for. We have 40 million people without healthcare, trillions of dollars pumped into corporate america instead of badly needed social services, business leaders who have committed fraud and created a new Depression, massive unemployment, a war on terror that is creating a new imperialism, millions of workes who need help because they don't make a living wage, children who can't afford school, public schools falling apart, single mothers raising children in poverty.....and we're upset about a guy taking a hit from a bong?!?!?! What's wrong with this blog.

Sure he can be a role model..."mommy, Michael Phelps is in trouble but he's a great swimmer!" "Yes, honey, and guess what? By not smoking pot you can even be BETTER than him! Imagine that!"

See, it can work.

Michael Phelps is not a role model - he is a marketing machine. And people are proud that he did pot - how impressive. My teenage kids could care less about him or Spears

Old Dude,
Well said. I know that when the time comes in my future to have children I will do everything I can to be a positive role model for my child. Parents these days have mistaken ipods, video games, and mall shopping trips as a way of being a role model to their children and showing them they love them.

As for Phelps, leave him alone and leave his private activities in private. If your upset about it then talk to your kids about why what he did was wrong, but don't diminish the honor he brought to the US in the Olympics.

It depends on what kind of role model you want for your kids. Phelps's true lapse in character may have been in making an insincere apology for something he probably doesn't really feel like was a mistake--except as it gave him negative publicity and endangered his income. If he'd said that he was fully aware that the negative publicity might affect his sponsorships etc, but that he didn't feel like it was appropriate to apologize for (appearing to) smoke marijuana just to appease the masses of busybodies and his sponsors, I would have been extremely impressed. However, very few people are made of such steel--I certainly am not.--and I am not going to hold him up to that standard.

As I never viewed his Olympic performances, I never was as awed by him as many others were and did not confuse his monumental athletic abilities with any other aspect of his character or personhood.

Am I impressed by Michael Phelps' accomplishments? Of course! But...role model? Are we really serious here?
Phelps' accomplishment is PRIMARILY a function of genetic gifts. No doubt he worked hard -- but if you try to argue that because he is a multi-gold-medal-winning Olympic champion, then a foritori he worked harder than others, you are perpretrating a hoax. Granted, its a popular hoax -- and the same one that brings thousands more kids to the pool, track, rink, field, etc... every year until they discover they won't be the next Michael Phelps -- and then they quit. Too often, we lose sight of what sport should be about. Phelps was a swimming phenom at a young age -- as was his sister. The Russians proved in the 70's that you can identify at a very young age who has the potential to be an elite athlete and who does not -- and for the 99% who do not, no degree of hard work will ever, ever compensate for it. Period. This bursts a lot of peoples' bubbles, and crushes their dreams, but its an inevitable fact.
So, better to build dreams on stonger foundations. What it means is that we need to value something other than just being the fastest, strongest, etc... if athletes are to have any relevance to us at all. If we're honest with ourselves, we will admit that there were hundeds of swimmers who fell just short at or before Olympic Trials who worked just as hard, if not harder than Phelps. Their stories are likely more inspring and relevant to us than Phelps' . The great Roger Bannister always reminded us that his running accomplishments and fame were much less important than his medical career, and that the latter without the former would have been a wasted life.
So, I hate to burst the bubbles of some folks on here, but holding up Michael Phelps or any other athlete as a role model just because of their champion status is no different that saying Russia is a role model simply because it has an exponentially higher GDP than Botswana. Our children need to be drawing something more importantand meaningful from their sporting endeavors - the character traits that aren't measured is seconds on a clock or distance on a meter-stick. If Phelps goes on to medical school and devotes his life to finding a cure to Alzheimer's...then we can talk about role model. If he devotes his life to enabling mentally and physically handicapped people to excel in swimming, we can have this discussion. Until then, he's just Russia and its GDP -- big and impressive next to Botswana, but only because of the fortunes and accidents of geography and history.
And by the way -- (1) I am a nordic skier and triathlete, and (2) those facts are two of the LEAST important things to know about me.

"Swimming is highly under-rated and if it were not for Michael Phelps the United States would still be in the dark about the sport..."
Seriously? Lets climb down from our melodramatic NBC-coverage-hyped dramatic soap box and deal with some facts. I sit here with the USA Swimming Records List in my hands -- American swimmers hold more world records than any other country. And they have for years. Why? Because we have an immense genetic talent pool to draw from and even greater financial resources to dedicate to swimming. One thing I can promise you is that it is NOT because Americans are inherently better or work harder or are more deserving than, say, Iranians (who hold no world records). For the same reason, Norway's dominance in nordic skiing is not because Norwegians are predestined to skiing greatness...its just that LOTS of KIDS learn to ski and race there so the genetic talent pool is fantastic. I think Ole Einar Bjorndalen is a tremendous biathlete who has dominated a sport that is so difficult to succeed in. But you know what? That fact alone does not make him a role model for children.

BlueHeaven1,
Micheal Phelps athletic acheivements are great, but as a role-model, it really doesn't matter. All that effort to become great at something really has no impact on anyone else. Did he do this to improve the lives of others? Did you train to become a great athlete for helping others or for yourself? I would think that the sacrifice of your parents would be more role-model like than the quest for self-glorification. I would hope that my children aspire to become caring individuals more concerned with their fellow man than their own self interest.

So there's some proof that he actually "inhaled"? Just curious. Has he been drug tested?
I guess since we weren't there we'll never know. Anyone ever been in a room with people smoking pot and not smoked? I seem to remember not too long ago that another athlete tested positive for THC and still retained his olympic medal. Marijuana isn't a performance enhancing drug so what's the big deal, that he wanted to chill with some guys at a party?
Plus who really cares if he smoked pot or not?
Seems like a whole bunch of people are up in arms over this and we voted to decriminalize under an ounce this past November in Mass.

I agree with others too...find a real role model; a teacher, someone who helps the homeless, someone who gives to others not an athlete.

Hope he gets arrested and spends 30 days in jail for breaking the law.No reporter has ever asked him how close he was to hitting the state trooper the night he was arrested for DUI.Maryland gave him a slap on the wrist for his DUI BOOK HIM DANO!!!

I think Michael Phelps would be an EXCELLENT role model! Anyway, he is a Super Star!

The DUI sucks, but can't say I haven't driven with too many in me when I was that age. Of course, it wasn't the same then. Thankfully, I made it to learn that it was stupid. Smoking pot, who cares? He can still be a role model. In fact, many hard working dedicated people, regardless of what field, smoke a little pot, or did. Your doctor perhaps, the engineer building your hydrogen cell bus, the guy who manages your state forests, your veterinarian, your college professor, even your neighborhood cop. I could go on and on about the professions of real people, those who would be considered role models, who smoke weed. If you don't think so, you are truly unaware of what happens around you.

Disinterested Observer.. get a clue. Weed doesn't give you testicular cancer - it's the government trying to cover their butts because they have no other reason to call it illegal. But maybe you've seen Reefer Madness and believed it.

So what? He smoked weed! Big freaking deal! And since when was he a role model!? He's a like a fish in water - fantastic! Does anyone know ANYTHING else about him - other than the fact that he got a DUI when he was underage and now has a picture of himself smoking all over the internet? Doesn't sound like he's too brilliant to me... I mean, if he's dumb enough to get caught doing illegal stuff - TWICE - then maybe he shouldn't've been a role model at all. And did his leadership skills ever come into question when he got that DUI forever ago? Because I don't remember seeing anything about it - but this case is all over the place. Probably didn't get attention before because it was only booze. Oh - I love this country!

:) I love michael phelps and so do many other other people so the least you can do is wright the right things:)