Michael Phelps and His Father
Since the stories about the historical nature of Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals had been beaten to death by the mainstream media before the end of the Beijing Olympics, a new Phelps-centric story was needed to capitalize on his fame. Unfortunately, most of the swimming events were completed, leaving the media no more opportunities to reference Phelps save for some far-fetched comparisons to Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter with multiple medals and world records.
Enter Fred Phelps, estranged father of Michael Phelps.
According to reports, Fred and Debbie (Michael’s mother) divorced in 1992, and since then the relationship between father and son has been, at best, difficult. Prior to the Athens Olympics in 2004, Michael was asked about his father and replied that the two hadn’t spoken since he was in high school, and that Fred didn’t call when he broke the world record in 2001. They reconciled shortly thereafter, and Fred came to the 2004 Games, but the relationship soured again.
Now, Fred is fielding calls from media outlets, and from what I can tell, he has no interest in capitalizing on his newfound celebrity. He is often referred to as “tight lipped”, and the few quotes he offers are deferential to his son.
“This is not about me, it’s about him.“
I cannot imagine what has happened between these two men to prevent them from having even the most minor of relationships. I have no idea what the circumstances are, so I have no interest in laying blame at either man’s feet. However, what I do know is that as a father myself, I love my kids, and no matter what may happen in the future, I will continue to love them and do what’s right for them. (As an aside: no, my wife and I are not having any marital problems, but I cannot help but put myself in another father’s shoes when I read about their relationships with their kids.) I just don’t understand how they allowed it to get to this point, and why it cannot be repaired.
Source: Phelps, dad not on speaking terms via Fox Sports.
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Lori says...
I also think it is a sad story and it is hard to understand how it can get to this point. I can relate to it in the aspect that my children struggle in their relationship with their father. In their growing up years he was either not around(by choice)or didn’t want to be bothered by them and chose not to participate in the family for the most part. He finally started taking an interest when we got a divorce 9 years ago, but by that time 3 of them were older and he did not make much of an effort with them as he did our younger 2.
The thing is their father really wasn’t a nice person and he did a lot of things that I should have divorced him a lot sooner for, but I chose to stay for the kids. The kids witnessed more than I like to admit because I tried to sheild them from knowing the truth about their father, so that they could have a good relationship with him. I did not bad talk their father to anyone because I didn’t want my children thinking badly of him. But, the truth has a way of finding its way to the top…as each of them grew up, they came to really know him for who he is.
One of my daughters has not spoken to her father in over a year and has not seen him for 2 years. My oldest two children, will talk to him but its maybe a couple times a year. My youngest daughter struggles constantly with him and she still thinks she can change him to be the father she wants or needs him to be. My youngest is the only one that has any type of relationship with him and that is probabaly because his father put the most into him. This makes me sad because I want them to have a healthy relationship with their father…I want them to forgive him and just accept him for who he is.
Maybe Michael Phelps grew up with an absent father? Maybe he doesn’t speak of the things that caused this because he doesn’t want to speak ill of his father in the public eye. I can imagine that a father like you would have a hard time understanding something like this. You are a great father. I know this because it comes through in everything you write.
Loris last blog post..In her shoes