Michael Phelps, aka The Flying Fish, adorned his chest by winning 28 Olympic medals for swimming. The 37-year-old swimmer holds the world record for claiming the highest number of Olympic medals.

Michael Phelps is very close to her mother, Debbie Phelps. When Michael was young, he had other sports-related aspirations that were frowned upon by his mother. Michael Phelps opened about one such aspiration in his book.

Debbie frowned upon Phelps’ suggestions

In his?book,?Michael Phelps- Beneath The Surface, Phelps opened up about when he wanted to pursue football practices. Phelps said some of his friends had made their place in the school football teams.

Phelps wanted to spend time with his friends on the football team but had no time due to his academic obligations and swimming practices. Phelps decided to give up the eight hours he had set aside for sleep to join football.

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When Phelps discussed it with his mother, Debbie, she was speechless. Debbie knew that Michael could not balance it all at once. She said, “Where can his football career take him [Matt]?” Debbie believed that football practices would have crashed with Phelps’ swimming practices, and she didn’t want that to happen.

Michael Phelps lived his dream after retirement

Michael Phelps then made another proposal and asked his mother if he could join golf. Debbie had a moment of silence before she answered him and told him to attend football practices with Matt occasionally.

Although Phelps could not pursue golf as his mainstream career, The Flying Fish did play golf later. In 2012, Phelps showed interest in golf after announcing his swimming retirement.

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The swimmer turned golf enthusiast participated in the Icon series. The Icon Series brings together athletes from all over the world to participate in a golf tournament. He shared the field with legends like Harry Kane, Michael Strahan, Ben Roethlisberger, etc. So, what do you think about Phelps’ love for sports other than swimming? Tell us in the comments!