Michael Phelps caught with a bong??

[BettorsChat]

Is this for real?

Click on the links above

[NEJAKE]

I'll tell you one thing, if I was him with all that endorsement money coming in, when I was hittin the bong I'd be alone and if I wasn't alone there wouldn't be any friggan cameras around. All I can say is it must of been "kind bud"...fuckin meathead!!!

[Rock 33]

His career is OVER. Endorsements DONE.... How stupid could he be??

[flarendep1]

His career is OVER. Endorsements DONE.... How stupid could he be??

I think he has lost $$$$$$$$ for sure but if he comes out early and apologizes, America will forgive him. Bet he want to kill the MF who took his picture

[harold_bush]

Updated: February 1, 2009, 2:56 PM ET
Phelps: Photo with marijuana pipe real
Comment Email Print
ESPN.com news services

Michael Phelps MARTIN BUREAU/Getty ImagesMichael Phelps won eight golds in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven.
Olympic great Michael Phelps acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

In a statement released Sunday, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Satruday by the tabloid News of the World.

"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."

News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. During that trip, he attended one of the school's football games and received a big ovation when he was introduced to the crowd.

While the newspaper did not specifically allege that Phelps was smoking pot, it did say the pipe is generally used for that purpose and anonymously quoted a partygoer who said the Olympic champion was "out of control from the moment he got there."

The party occurred nearly three months after the Olympics, while Phelps was taking a long break from training, and apparently would have no impact on the eight golds he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances and even agreed to extra testing before the games.

Under more flexible sanctions the World Anti-Doping Agency adopted for 2009, first-time offenders who commit particularly bad infractions can face suspensions of up to four years.

The current standard for first-time offenders is a two-year ban no matter the violation.

The U.S. Olympic Committee released a statement in response to Phelps' apology Sunday.

"We are disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps," the statement said. "Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people. In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.

"Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion."

Phelps was in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl week to make promotional appearances on behalf of a sponsor. But he left the city before Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, abandoning his original plan to be at Raymond James Stadium.

Phelps returned to the pool a couple of weeks ago to begin preparations for this summer's world championships in Rome. He plans to take part in his first post-Olympics meet in early March, a Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas.

This isn't the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph. In 2004, a few months after winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.

In his book "No Limits: The Will to Succeed," Phelps recounted how his first phone call was to his agent, and not his mother or coach Bob Bowman, because he knew they would yell at him.

Later, he called Bowman, who was supportive but told him, "Michael, just because you want to blow off some steam doesn't mean you can be an idiot."

Debbie Phelps, his mother, cried at the news of his drunken driving charge.

"That hurt worse, maybe, than anything," Phelps wrote. "I had never seen my mother that upset."

Bowman did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.

Olympic teammate Dara Torres said Phelps has become such a prominent figure that everything he does is news.

However, she said: "This in no way shape or form diminishes anything he's done."

"It's sort of a double-edged sword," Torres told the AP on Sunday. "When you're recognizable, you're looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that's the price of winning 14 Olympic medals."

Jason Lezak, whose remarkable anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay helped Phelps stay on course to break Mark Spitz's record in Beijing, said he was "saddened" to hear of the report.

"While I don't condone his conduct, I am a teammate and fan," Lezak said in a text message to the AP on Saturday night. "Unlike many fair-weather people, I am sticking by him. If my wife and I can help him in any way, we will. I believe he will grow from this and be better person, role model and teammate."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[harold_bush]

This will defnitely cost him some bread, but I think he'll survive. I'm sure the dude that took the picture got a pretty nickel for it.

[jmarty6969]

just like clinton he didnt inhale fellas no big deal bahahahahaha

[insidethe8thpol]

Know what I say: Big fucking deal. I cannot stand it when all these celebs, stars, athletes, whatever get caught using dope or alcohol and a statement comes out with the 'he/she is a role model' BS. He's a human being and we make mistakes every now and then. He got caught smoking pot, not standing over a body with a bloody hatchet in his hands. Next

[BearDown]

Isn't it funny how people who smoke pot can't prefrorm at a top level like Mike Phelps and Ricky Williams. Let's be honest, Ricky hasn't looked the same since he stoped smoking.

[LeRoy]

Its only a little weed Its not like he was main lineing or smoking crack.

[BettorsChat]

Know what I say: Big fucking deal. I cannot stand it when all these celebs, stars, athletes, whatever get caught using dope or alcohol and a statement comes out with the 'he/she is a role model' BS. He's a human being and we make mistakes every now and then. He got caught smoking pot, not standing over a body with a bloody hatchet in his hands. Next

They are role models and should be held to a higher standard IMO. They are on TV, get paid big $ etc. I would take that exposure and leave out the drugs for it.

[Mark Richt]

You don't have to leave out the drugs. All you have to do is partake by yourself even if you are with friends. Kindly excuse yourself to the restroom and partake all you want. Dumbass is what he is.

[BettorsChat]

Report: Phelps Could Face Charges in Marijuana Photo Scandal

While his prowess in the pool got him a spot in Olympic lore, a controversial picture could put swimming superstar Michael Phelps in handcuffs.

Richland County, S.C., Sheriff Leon Lott told the New York Post that he will charge Phelps with a crime if he is able to determine the 14-time Olympic gold medalist smoked marijuana in his jurisdiction.

"This case is no different than any other case," Lott told the Post. "This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession. It's a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred."

Phelps, who set a record with eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, was photographed smoking marijuana out of a bong at a November party in Columbia. The photo was published Sunday in British tabloid News of the World.

Lt. Chris Cowan said Tuesday that sheriff's investigators were gathering more information about the photo, but declined to discuss details of the investigation.

In Richland County, possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor — punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 fine, the Post reported.

Phelps and his advisers have not disputed the photo's authenticity. He issued a public apology on Sunday

A message left with Phelps' agent Peter Carlisle was not returned.

Click here for more on this story from the New York Post.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

FOXNews.com - Report: Phelps Could Face Charges in Marijuana Photo Scandal - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

MICHAEL PHELPS COULD FACE MARIJUANA POSSESSION CHARGES IN SOUTH CAROLINA - New York Post

[flarendep1]

Who here hasnt tried it???

crickets..................................lol

[garth]

here's the chorus...everybody sing!

don't bogart that joint...my friend
pass it over to me

roll another one
just like the other one
that one's burned to the end
come on and be a real friend

-Grateful Dead
.