I'm sick and disheartened of the news today about Michael Phelps being photographed smoking marijuana from a bong. I was so impressed with him and with how level headed and genuine he seemed to be. To make an error like this? Why Michael? Didn't you know that people looked up to you? That children wanted to grow up to be you? That you gave us faith in a world with decent, responsible young people? Why?
And then to blame it on your youth? "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said. "I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."
Michael, there are a lot of young kids out there that exhibit their youth in genuine, honest, responsible ways. You weren't being youthful, you were being dumb. It really saddens me to know that you're not the hero that I thought you were. I know a lot of people will say that you didn't ask to be in the limelight, you didn't ask to be my hero, you didn't ask to be a role model. But tough nuggets, you are, you were.
The only thing I can leave you with Michael is this. "Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching." ~ Jim Stovall
Al, I agree... I am so sad and disillusioned. I don't know why everyone looks and loves the worse of our human sides. But as mom says "No aye mal que por bien no venga" translates to every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe this will be a learning point for Michael and the youth of today. Maybe this will keep him from messing up worse.
ReplyDelete