by Mary Caliendo

Created on: February 10, 2009

Michael Phelps has blown everyone right out of the water with his fantastic swimming. His speed and style are heads and tails above all the rest of his field. I was surprised when first I saw the picture of Phelps with his mouth on the bong. I was stunned for a second as I thought, wow! I just never expected that for some reason. I never saw that coming! His perfection in the pool has many to believe that he is an infallible person. A person who becomes a commodity and not even real anymore.

Take the sponsors to begin with, they pick someone who the company believes will make them money. The companies do not really pick a person or athlete who will be completely wholesome; just how much money can they bring in! The companies will elevate an individual so far up on a pedestal that even with just one misstep they will have fallen! And likely fallen quite far.

With Micheal Phelps and his face known the world over, these companies can then also do well in the world market, not just in the United States. Which means more dollars for the company willing to give Micheal Phelps an endorsement deal. This thing is so much bigger than Michael Phelps.

When Michael Phelps came right out the day after the picture was released, he admitted it was him and then he did what most human people do. He apologized. We are taught when we are little children that one of the first things that one should do when a mistake is made, is to own it and then make amends. He issued a statement and contained within that statement was his apology. He owned it. He did it and got caught. This behavior by the way, is nothing unusual for his age or the whole college scene. It is almost right of passage. Yes it is illegal but it happens everyday. Michael Phelps picture was not a pretty sight. It actually was awful. It was awful that someone actually took this picture. He or she invaded the privacy and trust or friendship he or she may have had with the group or circle of friends that Michael Phelps had. It is too bad for Michael Phelps that he is a popular person, because if he had not have been we would not be having this debate. No picture would have been taken, and no one would've given a care if it were printed right on the Kellogg's CEO's toilet paper! He would've wiped and never thought twice!

I think that the mere fact that this discussion is going on in a society that has a cereal company thinking that they are role models themselves is actually funny. I mean after all, they make sugary cereal that is not so good for the health of the very people they target- our children! Good Luck to you Kellogg's company on your next role model pick. Here's to hoping you can find someone out there as unreal as your company! I think that he was treated unfairly by the sponsor who dropped him!

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