“How Does it Feel to Ruin Michael’s Career?”: To Avoid Future Blame, Michael Phelps’ Friends Were Extra Careful While Playing Other Sports With Him

Published 10/20/2022, 2:13 PM EDT

Although Michael Phelps is a name synonymous with the realm of sports, it never came easy to him. Over the course of Phelps’ professional swimming career, he has seen several ups and downs. Phelps struggled with various physical injuries, like a broken wrist and finger because of swimming. Not to mention, apart from swimming, he once had his leg fractured while playing golf.

However, there were times back when he was active in the pool when Michael witnessed his friends worrying about him getting injured. In his biography, ‘Beneath the surface,’ he described an incident in which his friends cautiously looked after him.

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Michael Phelps’ early stardom ruined his teenage basketball games

According to him, he enjoyed playing basketball as a teenager with his neighborhood friends. Narrating an incident in his book, he penned, “If we played basketball, the guys would actually call out picks to make sure I didn’t get knocked around.”

Further, Michael quoted his words with a sarcastic remark, “Corey always joked that he didn’t want Tom Brokaw coming to his door asking, “How does it feel to ruin Michael’s career?”

“Oh My God! I Touched Him”: Michael Phelps Was Already a Celebrity in School Even Before He Won His First Olympic Gold

But, with the unflappable support of his mother, sisters, friends, and especially his wife, Nicole Johnson, he garnered every opportunity he witnessed and overcame every obstacle, including depression.

Phelps’ bout with depression and how he beat it

In several interviews, Michael has spoken about his battle with depression throughout his career. After the 2012 Olympics, according to the 23-time Olympic gold medalist, he experienced the dark phase. His discomfort was one of the reasons for his early retirement in 2012.

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In addition, in 2012, he split up with his wife Nicole, who was then his girlfriend. He has previously expressed how, despite being showered with love by his family and friends, he felt lonely and isolated. But the year-long break after his retirement helped him clear his mind, and so, he returned to the pool in 2014.

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Watch this story: 6’11ft Tall NBA Icon Kevin Durant With Michael Phelps in One of the Iconic Moments of Olympics

Notably, in 2016, he announced his final retirement and bid goodbye to professional swimming as the most decorated swimmer of all time. Even since, he’s busy with his philanthropic activities, inspiring many through his actions.

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Written by:

Ishani Yadav is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Delhi. Ishani spent her childhood playing baseball and badminton, which led to her passion for sports.

Edited by:

Melroy Fernandes

“How Does it Feel to Ruin Michael’s Career?”: To Avoid Future Blame, Michael Phelps’ Friends Were Extra Careful While Playing Other Sports With Him

Michael Phelps’ early stardom ruined his teenage basketball games

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Phelps’ bout with depression and how he beat it