Michael Phelps' Pot Smoking Blows Up in His Face

Yes, that's him.

But has he ever smoked out of a Honey Bear?

The 14 gold-medal-winning Olympic golden boy (and ultimate "buthisface"), Michael Phelps was busted by Star Magazine (or rather, someone who had a grudge against Phelps who sold them the camera phone pic) face-deep in his bong.

A 23-year-old who smokes weed? Someone call the press. Oh wait.

People are coming out of the woodwork to describe how Phelps has been raging 24x7 since taking home his record-breaking medal compliment from Beijing this past summer.

The offending picture comes from a November 6th bender during a visit to the University of South Carolina. After guzzling his way through all the alcohol in the world (if we're to believe the unnamed sources of Star), someone offered Phelps  a bong, and to quote someone who says they were there:

"Michael didn't hesitate and headed to a small back room, where he was immediately handed a big red bong. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and ripped a huge smelly bong rip."

The "source" adds: "Michael was holding court, throwing back shots of booze two at a time..."

Who knew that throwing back shots two at a time was even possible? We've been doing it wrong this whole time. Phelps has already responded (through one of his agents) with the following statement:

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

While it's not surprising that Phelps party-happy ways are being leaked by jealous brohams in college towns from around the country (seriously guys, you come off sort of pathetic when you have to rat out a guy who is taking your chicks home), the slant that this is somehow a shock is surprising.

Since everyone has to comment on this, the USOC (U.S. Olympics Committee) released a statement as well: "Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people. In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities."

It doesn't take a genius to see that a kid who has spent most of his life in training for a brief moment of glory in the name of his country's sport supremacy might want to unwind a little - or a lot - after he accomplishes that goal. Have people forgotten that Phelps is, after all, just a 23-year-old kid? But what do you think?