In hiding behind his youth as an excuse for smoking pot, Michael Phelps demonstrated to the world a clear lack of understanding regarding his celebrity.
Simply put, there is no separation of lifestyles. Phelps, the world-class athlete who achieved Olympic immortality in Beijing, cannot coexist with his alter ego - the bong-hitting frat-boy wannabe.
With the fame of countless gold medals and dollar signs from corporate sponsorships, Phelps' aura will quickly dissipate if he elects to play the role of Olympic icon only when it is most convenient for him. Whether he likes it or not, being Michael Phelps is a 24/7 operation that requires great forethought and care in maintaining his public image.
Sure, Phelps survived the public relations nightmare of committing a DUI back in November 2004, but he was 19 years old at the time.
Clearly, to fault his youth in that situation doesn't make up for the recklessness of his behavior, but there is a stark difference between being 19 and being a 23-year-old who should have understood his responsibilities by now.
The Editorial Board isn't here to chastise Phelps for putting his future sponsorships in question. The issue is not about money.
What bothers us is the fact that he sorely let down his fans. In a time in which America's top athletes routinely make headlines for steroid allegations, we thought we could have taken solace in Phelps' resounding success.
The seemingly wholesome image of Phelps championing America on the grandest stage will forever be marred by his immature desire to have the best of both worlds.
