Michael Phelps messed up big time (again). The most decorated Olympic swimmer (of all time) was arrested early Tuesday morning in Baltimore, Maryland on a DUI charge. This is Phelps’ second arrest for DUI. His first arrest happened in 2004 at age 19. At the time, Phelps apologized profusely on Today. He told Matt Lauer that it was an isolated incident: “I let myself down and my family down … I think I let a lot of people in the country down.” In 2009, he also apologized for smoking a bong during a scandal that cost him a Kellogg’s contract and a 3-month suspension. Phelps has spoken of retirement but may have planned a return for the 2016 Olympics. All of this is up in the air with the new DUI charge:
Michael Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence in Baltimore, Maryland early this morning … TMZ Sports has learned.
Our sources tell us … the USA Olympic legend was pulled over around 1:40 AM in his white Land Rover. We’re told he bombed his field sobriety test … and his B.A.C. was almost twice the legal limit.
Officials just issued a statement saying Phelps was initially pulled over for going 84 in a 45 … and during the stop, the officer noticed he was hammered.
Our sources say Phelps was hauled to a nearby station where he was booked for DUI — and was eventually released.
Cops say Phelps was charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.
It’s Michael’s 2nd DUI arrest — he was popped in Maryland in 2004 when he was 19 years old. He struck a plea deal with prosecutors and pled guilty in exchange for 18 months probation.
We’ve made multiple calls to Michael’s reps — but they would not take our calls.
[From NBC]
Quick on the draw, Phelps has tweeted his apologies for this latest incident:
(1) Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.
(2) I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility.
(3) I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.
[From Michael Phelps on Twitter]
Huh. I do appreciate that Phelps is taking responsibility with his words, but he’s starting to sound like a smudged compact disc. How many times can an athlete apologize before their words sound hollow?
This situation does come with a slight bit of levity. TMZ spoke with Phelps’ USA teammate, Ryan Lochte, who was eager to respond: “I’m not concerned … he just makes dumb decisions. He has so much money to get a driver. I even have a driver. Just stinks for the sport of swimming. But he will become smarter from this. Luckily he did not hurt himself or someone else.” Damn, skippy. You know when a professional idiot like Lochte sounds wise in comparison, then Phelps needs to get it together. Fast.
Photos courtesy of WENN
Wow, “professional idiot”, how nice. I would love to have such an accomplished athlete in my country like Ryan Lochte, he also acts super nice with fans in swim meets around the globe, so I think he represents his country well despite not being a genius.
Feel sad for Phelps, I admire him a lot as an athlete and never ceases to amaze me how many times he makes bad decisions.
Iol you sound really salty about a joke that isn’t even taking away from his accomplishments. maybe you haven’t heard of all the idiotic things Ryan has said/done.
Ha! I’m with Anna, you need to YouTube his interviews, they are both fascinating and hilarious.
Yet so far as the public eye knows RL – a public role model – has not done the Act of Drinking and driving – Michael Phelps is a Role Model and makes $$$ from it – Drinking and Driving is No behaviour to copy – it kills innocent people and, no matter what he has accomplished, there is no excuse for it. HIs endorsements should be taken away for this. He knows better.
The Man is Dumb as Rocks, pretty, Excellent at swimming but DUMB AS ROCKS and there is no hiding that! or the fact we all have seen his interviews and reality show stints… bless his heart!
Do you think he drinks and swims? What a damn fool!
Is Ryan Lochte, Anything is possible KRI
@Spaniard – There’s no reason to feel “sad” for Phelps, especially because he didn’t learn his lesson the first time. Drinking and driving is a serious crime. As Lochte pointed out, he’s lucky he didn’t injure himself or anyone else. I can’t believe athletes get so much sympathy. I’m always bothered by it.
Not feel sad “for him”, I didn’t mean it that way (bad choice of words, english is not my language), I feel sad that an exceptional athlete like him has to mess it up again and again. Too much sympathy?, maybe…, I’m biased because I admire him
And regarding Ryan Lochte, I’ve seen part of his reality show, I know he is like a giant baby, but harmless and doesn’t seem malicious so I don’t like when people trash him, sorry. Since in Spain we don’t use the word “idiot” as a joke I didn’t like it, so maybe i’m lost in translation.
I call myself “professional idiot” all the time. It’s even part of my Twitter profile.
:shrugs:
Yes, of course. Right.
All fun and games until someone’s life is cut short because some moron who could easily afford to hire a driver, one who didn’t learn from the first go-round, mind you, feels invincible.
I hope they make him do PSA videos and/or televised tours of rehabilitation facilities where he can maybe talk to a grieving family or two after meeting their damaged loved one who needs round-the-clock care for life after a run-in with a drunk driver. And if he does it again, then no more driver’s license.
Drunk drivers are bad enough, but ones who could have afforded a driver are that much more reprehensible.
Yeah, I have to agree. I think I’d be a drink then drive kind of girl so I just never got a license and moved to a city so I have transit and taxis. If you can make dumb decisions when drinking, then plan ahead.
Agree, Frida_K. A dear friend’s boyfriend was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday. They caught the guy yesterday. Not sure yet whether alcohol was a factor, but in any case, making a stupid decision to drink and drive, to text and drive, or to otherwise not pay attention and behave responsibly while driving, could cost someone their life. Thank goodness Phelps was stopped before he injured or killed someone(s).
lol “i take full responsibility” thats really like saying “i dont beat my wife” YEAH CONGRATULATIONS, HERO.
once is bad enough, twice is not excusable for me. it is so dangerous.
So happy no one was hurt.
He should have his license revoked. There is no excuse for two DUIs.
He’s garbage. I see no indication he is an addict, just pure garbage. Once is a mistake and forgivable. Twice? Garbage.
And come on Bedhead you don’t honestly believe he wrote that statement? That’s pure PR.
Ryan Lochte is so hot <333
Are you feeling alright, Pretty? 🙂
This sounds like a match made in Heaven:
Dina “White Oprah” Lohan
would like to invite you to the
marriage of her daughter Lindsay “crackhead” Lohan
to Michael “winner of most DUI’s in the Drunk Olympics” Phelps
The Wedding will take place at the California Correctional Institute
where the couple will exchange alcohol monitering ankle braclets
A reception will follow at a secret rehab location…
The menu will consist of alcohol and cocaine,
the will forego the traditional wedding cake for pot brownies
Guests are asked to lock up any valuables the bride may fancy…
Citizens are asked to stay off the streets, for their safety, when the couple drive away to their honeymoon, which will be at Micheal’s home, since they are both under house arrest!
RSVP – i WILL attend. (ok to bring children?)
@Ag…You may bring children as long as you don’t really give a crap about them!
oh, no. i just want my son to see what he can aspire to as i drink myself into oblivion.
Phelps need to show some action. I don’t want an apology, I want volunteering with those who have lost family members to a DUI, or rehab. Something substantive.
Lochte makes everything happier and less serious. He’s like a giant talented labradoodle puppy. I’d trade all the rapists, abusers and public endangerers for more Lochte.
I’d be drinking too if I had to swim laps of pools for hours on end every day. Sheesh and some people think being a stay at home parent is brain dead occupation. But I agree with what his team mate said about getting a driver. That’s the first thing I thought when I read the headline.
He’s lucky no one was hurt or killed. Clearly he learned nothing from his last arrest, so I think that’s it take away his license.
drunk drivers are the worst. ugh. i have zero pity or understanding for this type of bull$hit.
also, thanks a lot, a$$clown, as if i wasn’t terrified enough of the beltway as it is, now i know you’re driving drunk on it, going almost twice the speed limit.
I know, it is scary to think about the drunk drivers out there. I hate driving long distances at night because I know the later it gets the more likely it is that they will be lurking, maybe coming the wrong way down the highway, which seems to happen more frequently these days. Horrific.
i am keeping my fingers crossed that in the next decade or so google cars will take over the roads, and drunk drivers will no longer pose the threat that they do now. sigh. one can dream.
Exactly. I have ZERO patience with people who drunk drive. You’re not just putting your own life at risk, you are putting other people’s lives in jeopardy.
He sounds like he was a menace on the road, so scary. But I don’t know if this is just about “dumb decisions,” sounds like he could have a serious alcohol abuse problem.
I am sure his mama drove down to the jaily whaley to get her little merman outta jailsy and took him home and wrapped his favewit blankey around his adorable little back and rubbed his head and sang his favewit lullaby to him so he could sleep it off and not wake up with MEAN MR HANGOVER pounding away at him. Poor, sweet baby. Bet mommy wommy has his favewit bowl of cereal on the table for him now. Fruit Loops with 2% milk.
You know you have to get your act together when Ryan sounds like the voice of reason. Jeahhh! Lol
lol this cracked me up!
Ugh. I just can’t. I couldn’t have given a damn about the pot smoking incident a few years ago, but there is no defense for drunk driving. None. And usually people get away with it for a while before they get caught, so I go on the assumption that after your first arrest, you’ve probably done it 20 times before. I wasn’t aware this was his second DUI. Disgusting.
Ugh. Baltimorean here. What is WITH our athletes? Like we aren’t humiliated enough being the heroin, murder, and teen pregnancy capital of the world?
The O’s seem to be doing alright. Chris Davis didn’t hurt anyone else.
He was caught twice, but I bet there have been many other times.
Ah good comment, SunnyPuglet! How unlucky would you be to get caught speeding, crossing lines and under the influence if it was the one and only time you’d ever done it! Do it often enough and your luck will run out. Just a relief that no one was hurt. I have no time or sympathy for people who drink alcohol/take drugs and then drive, that basically means they don’t care if they kill themselves or any other innocent members of the public.
@Sarah, great post. I have no tolerance for it either on both aspects of when anyone drives when drunk or high. No excuses. And all of the “I’m sorrys” from people who do this, doesn’t bring back the loved ones of those who are killed.
I hope he gets the help he needs because something is going on with him.
Thanks! @Sarah
It angers me so much, too. Innocent people with families and friends, going about their business and this d-bag’s carelessness could destroy lives. It makes me sick. His licence should be revoked indefinitely.
Good point.
You would think after one experience with getting a DUI, he’d be extra careful to avoid ever being in that situation again, especially considering the public nature of his career, and all of his endorsements.
Since he apparently couldn’t give a sh!t, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this is one of many times, and like you said he just happened to get caught.
Great swimmer, douchey guy.
On a superficial note, he is so unattractive.
Ha Bridget, I love superficial notes 😉
He was partying it up at the new Horseshoe casino for hours. He has a real frat boy personality and likes to drink and party. A lot. The first DUI was in Salisbury and I am sure he was at a college party, but he was nineteen and I could understand if it was a one and done. However, ten years later and he is still acting like a frat boy. I’m sure those were just the only two times he got caught.
Wasn’t he sorry the first time he did it? Um, yeah. STFU, Phelps.
And grow up already.
His personal actions have now completely overshadowed his Olympic achievements in my eyes. I don’t care that he smokes pot, but I care very much that he’s driving drunk on roads near where my brother lives. My brother is a hardworking, non-drinking, non-drugging, stand-up guy and if Phelps hit him while driving drunk one night, I don’t know what I’d do. Phelps can hire a driver. His license needs to be revoked!
I can not stand drunk/buzz drivers. He is lucky he didn’t kill or harm anyone or himself. Get yourself together, Michael.
I agree with others, the whole Ryan is dumb bandwagon is getting old. Almost as old and tired as Michael’s apologies.
I got a DUI about 15 years ago. Was not swerving, or going against traffic. Upstate New York, little villages. You go from 55 MPH to 30 MPH posted in a blink of an eye, pulled over for speeding @ 40 MPH. Who knew? I didn’t see the miniscule sign. Will never, EVER do it again. I breathalyzed 07.00. 1 point over. Ruined my next 8 years, try paying car insurance.
Don’t even have 2 drinks or a few beers. Please take my advice. It will bankrupt you.
All I can think about are all those times I flew in to BWI in the middle of the night. Sometimes alone, sometimes with my kids. And then driving home in the dead of night and being thankful there were so few cars on the road (when normally it’s chaos). A drunk driver wasn’t even on my radar, and driving home was the least of my worries. That last stretch on the drive home was supposed to be the relaxing part, a time to unwind and decompress from it all. It was my favorite part. I try very hard to be a tolerant person – but this whole thing makes me seriously ragey. What if he had killed someone? What if he hit and wiped out some other unsuspecting family, like my own, just trying to get home? An entire family? Coming home from the airport? From the hospital? Going TO the hospital with a sick kid or other sick family member? He was on I-95 FCOL!!! How easily could that have happened?!! IDGAF who you are, if you’re going to drink, get yourself a @#%@#%@# DD or call yourself a ##%#@ cab.
I’m all for getting lit when the need arises, I do so frequently myself — but you DON’T GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR while doing so. EVER. Apologies don’t bring back dead people! Michael is old enough to know better and has more than enough money to have a driver. Not to mention, this is the 2nd @#$%@# time! I watched faithfully & rooted for him in every Olympics he performed in and thought so highly of him as an athlete — I forgave him the last time, though I feel so, SO strongly about drunk driving — but he has now lost ALL of my respect and any goodwill I have had for him. ALL of it. DONE. What kind of IDIOT gets behind the wheel of a car drunk and risks not only their own life, but lives of countless unsuspecting others?! Loser, loser, loser!!!