Irked at sponsor for leaving Phelps high and dry
Michael Phelps became a national hero for his strokes in the pool. Now, the Olympic swimming champion is becoming a hero in some circles for something else entirely:
Michael Phelps became a national hero for his strokes in the pool. Now, the Olympic swimming champion is becoming a hero in some circles for something else entirely:
His tokes at a party.
The Philadelphia branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is seeking a boycott of Kellogg's for its decision not to renew its endorsement of the 23-year-old swimmer after a picture surfaced of him smoking a bong.
"This whole thing is stupid," said Derek Rosenzweig, PhillyNORML co-chairman. "No one should even care about this, when half the country has done it.
"It's just another example of a failed policy."
A study published in July in a journal of the Public Library of Science says that 42 percent of Americans surveyed have tried marijuana.
Phelps apologized for his "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment," which occurred at a November house party at the University of South Carolina, after the photo appeared in a British tabloid.
Kellogg's released a statement Thursday saying it would not renew Phelp's endorsement when it runs out at the end of February, but the company would not disclose how much the contract was worth. His behavior was not consistent with the image of the company, according to the statement.
Kellogg's did not respond to a request for comment last night. *
The Associated Press contributed to this
report.