Michael Phelps has opened up for the first time about doing something so unfathomably stupid as getting caught smoking drugs from a bong — yes, I said stupid. Not for being a typical dope head kid but for getting caught. Amateur.
Dolphin Boy dried off and sat down for an interview where he expressed well rehearsed regret and PR spun sorrow. He gave the interview to NBC News’ Matt Lauer for the Today.
For those who love to read unconvincing PR spin, check out some of the interview highlights below. Note, that all harder questions are lightly skimmed over or not answered properly at all.
“…It was through an e-mail form. And I had no idea really what to do. You know, I knew that I’d made a mistake and made a bad judgment. And– and, you know, I know that when you do make a mistake, you know, you’re responsible for all of the consequences. And I was willing to, you know, accept the fact that I did make a mistake.”
More under the cut ===>
His reaction to losing numerous endorsements: “It’s not about money to me. So, you know, the– the contract side of things, yeah, I was disappointed. But, you know, I think the biggest thing is– is who I hurt the most. Like, if I lost money, okay. It’s not an issue with me.”
The details of the celebration where the infamous picture was snapped: ”I mean, we were just celebrating, honestly. And– you know, there was probably two or three people there I didn’t know. It was a very small group. Six or seven people probably total in the whole house. Like nothing major. You know, not like a giant college house party. It was nothing like that. It was just a small group and we were just sitting around and celebrating.”
How Michael feels about partaking in the green stuff: ”It was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about. It’s a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment. And it’s something that, you know, I have to, and I want to teach other people not to make that mistake.”
You can see a clip of the Michael Phelps bong scandal interview over @ TMZ.com.
I’m still a fan, and honestly, people won’t really care when he competes in the 2012 Olympics. He’s all set, luckily on Kelloggs dropped him.
You have a point, people are so hypocritical and short-sighted. They won’t care so long as he keeps winning.