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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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6

Kellogg's Faces Pro-Phelps Backlash

Fans launch boycott, slam company with wave of complaints

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(Newser) – Kellogg's decision to drop Michael Phelps’ sponsorship deal has created an angry wave of would-be cereal killers, the Baltimore Sun reports. A Facebook group urging consumers to boycott the company has hit 5,000 members and is growing fast. Pro-marijuana groups are also calling for a boycott, labeling the company's attitude "hypocritical and disgusting." Kellogg’s has set up a special phone line to handle the flood of complaints.

Phelps says he called all his other sponsors to apologize after the bong photo went public, but he wasn't able to get through to anybody at Kellogg's despite four days of trying. The swimmer told the Sun that he can see the funny side of some of the humor directed at him now that the paparazzi attention has died down—although he still isn't ready to commit to swimming in the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps smiles while holding a box of cereal with his image on it during a news conference in Baltimore, Sept. 25, 2008.
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps smiles while holding a box of cereal with his image on it during a news conference in Baltimore, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)
Michael Phelps looks at Kellogg's products with his image on them during a news conference, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Baltimore.
Michael Phelps looks at Kellogg's products with his image on them during a news conference, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
A prototype of a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes featuring US swimming star Michael Phelps.
A prototype of a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes featuring US swimming star Michael Phelps.   (AP Photo/Kellogg Co.)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
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"Every one of your products sounds like a wish a genie granted at a Phish concert." Seth Meyers of SNL lights into Kellogg's for cutting ties with Michael Phelps.   (hulu.com)

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Kellogg's had no problem signing up Phelps when he had a conviction for drunk driving ... To drop him for choosing to relax with a substance that's safer than beer is an outrage.
- Rob Kampia, Marijuana Policy Project executive director

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6 comments
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Timinator2K
Feb 10, 09 8:53 AM CST
How are those bong hits workin' for ya, Mikey? Makin' more bucks now that you're high? No?!? Well, maybe all your doper buddies all over the USA will send ya some money to replace your endorsement bucks. HA! Reply
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woody66
Feb 10, 09 9:53 AM CST
20 something middle class US male smokes pot. Such an unusual story. Never heard that one before. Why is it that in this culture we place our sports (and other heroes) on superhuman pedestels, live our (and our children's) dreams & aspirations through them, then scream in anger when to our suprise they turn out to be human with failings just as we do ? Such a surprise. I also detect a whiff of jealousy in the air................ I guess we'll get over it and move on to leave Mr. Phelps in peace with the sizeable remainder of his money and fame. Reply
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radnip
Feb 10, 09 5:09 PM CST
I did not really think that photo was such a bad thing for Michael - it made him more human. Not to mention, banning a natural substance when it can help many people's pain -- even amphetamines and cocaine can be prescribed -- so that's a very interesting absurd double standard. So I'm not sure I think that marijuana smoking is so bad for the culture in general. Might not be so great for lungs...but I'm not sure. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Feb 10, 09 6:17 PM CST
Just FYI, cannabis is a bronchial dilator. As counter intuitive it may seem, I know of asthma patients who report relief with self-medication using cannabis
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charliedoodle
Feb 12, 09 9:42 PM CST
I can vouch for fruit loops when you have a good buzz on. Are they Kelloggs or General Mills? Reply
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