As I reported last week, Michael Phelps was arrested for his second DUI after speeding and drifting across traffic lanes in Maryland. Thank goodness no one was hurt in the incident. Well, perhaps Phelps’ pride was hurt after fellow USA teammate Ryan Lochte delivered his opinion to the press. Lochte basically said that Phelps “makes dumb decisions” and should have hired a driver. Lochte was definitely correct, but wow, it’s going to be uncomfortable the next time these guys are in a room together. They still attend the same events (shown above at the Pan Pacific championships in August).
Phelps already tweeted his apologies following his latest arrest. Now he’s decided to go to rehab:
(1) The past few days have been extremely difficult.
(2) I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself.
(3) I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.
(4) Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual.
(5) and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future.
[From Michael Phelps on Twitter]
I realize the knee jerk reaction to rehab announcements is to treat them as a method of damage control. Phelps did do a dumb thing (again) by getting behind the wheel of a car while inebriated. I hope this isn’t just PR. Actually, scratch that. I’m perfectly okay with this being a PR move as long as Phelps gets some real treatment that helps. Anything would be better than him driving under the influence ever again.
Photos courtesy of Getty & WENN
As a cynical, celebitch, my first thought when I read about Phelp’s second DUI was, here comes the “rehab hail mary pass”!! Three months of rehab and he’ll be out again getting his third DUI, making his third apology, and his second round of rehab! I hope I’m wrong…I really, really do, but as I say the cynical bitch in me has seen this way too many times…
Me too. Sigh. I hope that he is sincere, but I have my doubts too.
The Cro-Magnon dolphin needs to STFU and get to rehab already.
It feels so awkward to agree with something said by Ryan Lochte, but seriously – don’t drink and drive. If you don’t care about yourself, then think at least about the lives you put in danger every time you get behind the wheel like that.
The only reason why it’s going to be awkward in the locker room when Phelps and Lochte are there is b/c Phelps did something very foolish/stupid and Lochte basically said what pretty much everyone is thinking.
I don’t blame Lochte at all for his comments… he’s just being honest.
I think you misunderstood me. If you’ve ever heard Ryan Lochte speak, he doesn’t come off as being particularly…thoughtful, to put it mildly. So, to be totally in agreement with his comments about Phelps, well…I wasn’t expecting that.
Oh, I’m WELL aware of how un-articulate Ryan Lochte is… I saw the first episode of his reality show. He’s definitely not the sharpest crayon in the box, lol.
I was just tagging on to what you said b/c you mentioned something about his comments… it is awkward to agree with Ryan Lochte, but I totally agree with him and your comment above.
Oh, I see :D.
He’s only sorry that he got caught. I’m sick of celebs playing the rehab card when it’s obvious that he doesn’t give a crap. If he did, he wouldn’t have done it twice! When the words “Ryan Lochte” and “intelligent comment” are part of the same sentence, my world is turned upside down.
His next girlfriend will be some tart he meets in rehab. Wait for it…
Rehab? He should have just hightailed it to Iyanla Vanzant. She would have snatched his speedos and got him and his life life together real quick. But eh, regular ol rehab will suffice. Make it work, Michael.
And good on you, Ryan, for speaking the truth and giving Michael some tough love.
Or Carolyn Myss. She’s one tough “enlightener.”
TMZ reported that he had been gambling at a casino for 8 hours…hmm, is he getting treatment for more than one problem? I don’t think these uber-athletes know how to deal with the fame and pressure of having to (out) perform at such levels and sustain it.
I love the Olympics and I especially love the swimming events. I’ve always rooted for Phelps even though he’s pretty obviously an asshole. But I think he has deeper issues going on. He never seems happy and relaxed. Might be dealing with depression or something like that. I’m so glad no one got hurt and I sincerely hope he take this rehab/therapy seriously. He’s so young and needs to realize that his life isn’t over just because his career probably is.
I agree with you and DavidBowie above. Not to make excuses for his irresponsible behavior but I do think he’s got deeper issues. I remember when he retired, he seemed so happy to be done with swimming, even implied or maybe flat out said that he’d hated it for a long time.
So then to go back to something he hated so much had to be trying. I do think elite athletes can go off the rails when they feel they have no other options. I also hope he takes this seriously.
He’s been an Olympic gold medalist for over a decade, and a swimming star for longer. Yes, he’s had to work absurdly grueling training schedules when he’s been in competition mode, but he’s never stated that he hated it. In fact, over the years one of the things that’s been incredibly clear is that he’s got an insane competitive drive – no one had to force him to swim, and frankly the level of competition and training he was at simply couldn’t be done if he hated it. The man wanted to be the best, plain and simple. And he’s been famous for it for years. He behaves the way he does because people let him. We look for deeper reasons for people’s bad behavior, but this is just a case of him being an ass.
Phelps has ADHD. Hopefully with some medication and some therapy he’ll be okay. I’ve met him numerous times…..he struggles.
Im glad Marfan Syndrome over here is going to the trusty Hail Mary Rehab Pass..it’s time off the streets endangering civilians and as such I’ll take it
Also this reminds me of reading somewhere about how Elite Athletes tend to go off the rails emotionally pretty spectacularly when they no longer have that Olympics/competition/worldc cup to aim for..something about idle hands and competitive drive a-wasting?
Also no real life skills outside of athletics. Training represents a rigid schedule, a larger goal, and a group of people who share that same goal. Take that away, and someone could be easily lost if they haven’t planned for that future.
What a huge downward spiral for this man. I never imagined he’d become such a waste after his awesome success. Sad story!