a T.O. with T.H.

There was an interesting story that came out of the weekend.

Maybe you missed it, because of Super Bowl XLIII hoopla, but so-called Olympic hero Michael Phelps was caught smoking pot through a pipe at a party in South Carolina.

Yes, sports fans, a 23-year-old college student smokes pot. I know you’re shocked, but I thought it was kind of funny when I read the story about this.

Phelps released a totally sincere (HA!) apology through his agent, in which he apologized and said he would like to continue to be a role model and not have anyone think less of him.

A role model? At this point you would be better off having you child dress up as Terrell Owens wearing an “I love me some me” T-shirt.

Phelps was arrested for drunk driving in 2004, and now has confirmed the picture of him using illegal drugs is authentic.

Now let me stop and say I’m not one of these people that thinks anyone smoking pot should be shot. But I just thought it was hilarious when he talked about himself being a role model.

At this point, Phelps should shut up, train and win eight more medals so that we can forget about this fiasco.

Don’t tell me you just want me to forget about it. If I get caught smoking pot, I get thrown in jail. If Phelps does he might lose an endorsement and become less of a role model to all the little kiddies out there.

This way of handling the situation says something about the treatment of athletes. This is a story of another athlete getting a mere slap on the wrist with no consequences.

Phelps is a great athlete, but he’s not above the law. He shouldn’t have gone unpunished in 2004 and he should not go without consequence now. The double standard is ridiculous.

I just hope America stops treating him like a golden boy and starts treating him like we treat other athletes that are perpetual lawbreakers. He is not a role model; he is now just another athlete.

Football

What would an early February editorial be without thoughts on the Super Bowl?

I enjoyed the game. It was exciting and entertaining. But as the years pass by, I get more and more tired of the coverage given to the Super Bowl.

Whether it is the 5,000 “experts” that analyzed the game for NBC Sunday night, or the fact that you couldn’t watch a sports show without hearing about things like Hines Ward’s injured knee.

But you asked, America (you really didn’t). So here is my take:

There are many things I don’t understand in the world. Like how is Renée Zellweger considered a “sex symbol”? Or how did the “snuggie” get popular?

But one thing I do understand is the fact that Ben Roethlisberger is a great quarterback. I don’t think he is the best in the league, the guy looks like a rhino in a football uniform. Along with Tom Brady, he is absolutely the kind of guy I want in the playoffs.

There is another thing I know as well. The Steelers are the best franchise in sports history.

Say what you want, but they are one of the only teams who have been successful almost since day one. The Rooney family does the best job of any front office in sports, and the fact that they only have had three coaches in their history, proves it.

I’ll say it till I’m blue in the face: I am not a fan of Pittsburgh, but anyone who doesn’t respect what the Steelers have done is an idiot. There is no easier way to say it.

And by the way, “The Office” afterwards elevated my Sunday night from good to great. Thanks NBC, it is good to see somebody there understands what the people want.