Bong!
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
This has been a very difficult week for 14 time gold medalist, swimmer, Michael Phelps. A photo was taken of America's "golden boy" hovering over a bong (a smoking device, mainly used for marijuana and other drugs). He says that he does not smoke marijuana on a regular basis, and said that he will learn from this "stupid mistake." This did not matter to USA Swimming. Today, after a week of silence, USA Swimming suspended him for three months from the sport that made him a champion.
USA Swimming is not the only one that is punishing Phelps. Kelloggs was the first major company to withdraw their endorsement, saying that the Phelps photo was not in keeping with Kelloggs' family image. Parents, coaches and sports commentators were less than nice to Mr. Phelps, saying that he had disappointed many kids who looked up to him as a real American sports hero and embarrassed the sport of swimming. This fallout may be just the tip of the iceberg.
Phelps did issue an apology for his poor judgment, was willing to submit to the discipline from USA swimming, but is not certain if he will compete in the 2012 Olympics. Because he knows he is the best chance for the USA to win multiple gold medals, I wonder if there was a subtle threat in the announcement of his uncertainty to compete.
Here are some of the questions I have pondered over the last several days: Did he apologize for his actions because he stands to lose millions of dollars in endorsements or was he genuinely remorseful for what he did? Are the media making too big a deal over this issue or is it as serious as many are making it out to be? Should Phelps have been suspended by USA swimming for his actions? Was USA swimming pressured from the public to suspend Phelps? Should he and other sports figures be viewed as heroes? Is it just his business as to what he does in private or should he and other sports figures be held to a higher moral standard?
How does this story relate to Jesus followers and how we treat other believers and leaders who sin and use poor judgment? What about grace and forgiveness – do we dispense them as freely and generously as we issue criticisms and self-righteous judgments? How should we respond to this story? What lessons can we learn?
What do you think? I would love to hear from you.
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