Michael Phelps arrested.

It seems like with fame, one can never avoid stepping into the quicksand of trouble. Michael Phelps has been arrested for drunk driving on Thursday night (4th Novemeber) at 11.30pm in Salisbury, Maryland.

Phelps had been driving with 2 passengers (unidentified, hopefully not a girlfriend!) and had failed to obey the STOP sign along Route 13 and Bateman Street and was bid to pull over by a state trooper.

The trooper "observed signs indicating the driver may be operating under the influence". Phelps was then charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired, violation of a license restriction and failure to obey a traffic control device. He signed the traffic citations and was released shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.

Police described him as "fully cooperative" during the incident. They said his 2005 Land Rover was released to a friend who had not been drinking.

Police would not say whether Phelps took a blood-alcohol test and, if he did, what his blood-alcohol level was.

Under Maryland law, the legal age for drinking is 21 and Phelps' offence is punishable by a maximum of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and 12 points on a driver's license for a first offence. It carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and eight points for a first offense.

"I made a mistake. Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong, dangerous and unacceptable. I'm 19, but no matter how old you are, you should take responsibility for your actions, which I will do. I'm extremely sorry for the mistake that I made."

He declined to answer further questions, including whether any of his endorsement deals are in jeopardy.

Implications
Ryan Schinman, president of the Platinum Rye Entertainment consulting firm, said the arrest is "a huge blow," even if Phelps is never convicted.

"He made a name for himself not only in the pool, but with his squeaky-clean image, which is hard for corporate America to come by these days."

Phelps' endorsements from companies as McDonald's could be jeopardized because they likely contain morality clauses. But some companies may make allowances because no one was injured.

Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., another sports marketing and consulting firm, said that although he doesn't think Phelps' current endorsements will be affected, the arrest will "tarnish his image."

Mark Lepselter, president of New Jersey-based Maxximum Marketing, said the long-term impact will be minimal so long as Phelps doesn't have future problems.
"I don't think this is going to be a major blow to his career ... I don't think there are many people who have not made some mistake along those lines when they were 19."

Phelps' adoption of Riverview Elementary School in Halethorpe has created a unique problem for the education of youngsters about the perils of alcohol and drugs.
"It's easy for kids to look to celebrities and say, 'Everybody's doing it.'"

Bowman's words...
"When you're Michael Phelps, you don't really fit in anywhere. You don't fit in with adults just yet. You're still 19. You don't really fit in with kids your own age who are in college. It's very hard to know where you are in the scheme of things."

"Nobody should feel sorry for him because he chose his behavior that night," Bowman said. "But I hope people can stand behind him when he's down just like they stood behind him when he was on top of the world."

(President's note: My sentiments EXACTLY! Hence I've created a new poll "What do you think of Michael Phelps' arrest?" and have concluded the poll on "Do you think Michael Phelps should have withdrawn from the WSCC?". The results can be seen from the link HERE. EnJoy the next poll!")