On Monday, Michael Phelps announced the demise of his father on social media. ‘The Baltimore Bullet’ shared the devastating news on his official Instagram account. Since then, millions have reached out and have offered condolences to the Olympic Legend.

Former New York Yankees’ pitcher CC Sabathia, also joined the chorus of consolation that Phelps received from stars and fans across the sporting world. The pitcher with 3,093 strikeouts and a former teammate of Derek Jeter, commented on the Instagram post made by Phelps, following the passing of his father, Fred Phelps.?

In reminiscence of the good times shared with his recently deceased father, Phelps had published a string of photographs and complemented them with the words, “You’ll always be my dad. And I’ll always be your son. Love you dad and I will miss you. RIP dad.”.?

The first photograph displayed a young Michael with his father, Fred, dressed in his Maryland State Trooper Uniform. Fred also played football in his school and college days and tried out for the NFL.?

The other photographs also documented the Phelps family in happier times.?

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Sabathia, who plied his trade with the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees, replied with a hands-joined emoji in the comments section.?

Aside from Sabathia, many well-known personalities and millions of fans extended their support to the Olympian.

Celebrities and fans are mourning with Phelps in his difficult time

Olympic champion and entrepreneur Lindsey Vonn bemoaned Phelps’ loss. “I’m so sorry for your loss. He will always be there,” she wrote in the comments. Pro golfer Tony Finau expressed his condolences as well. “Condolences bro,” Tony wrote.

Thousands of his fans also shared Phelps’ grief and paid their respect to his late father. One of the fans even related Michael’s grief to his own loss while extending his prayers. “Incredibly sorry for your loss. My 14-year-old son passed 5 weeks ago. Thoughts & prayers,” he said. While another fan shared how he still misses his father after 32 years of his demise.

Michael Phelps’ relationship with his father?

Michael Phelps’s parents reportedly divorced when he was nine years old. Post the split, the three siblings stayed on with their mother, Debbie Phelps. Fred continued to maintain a substantial relationship with his children, however, the father-son duo grew apart once Micheal’s professional life began swelling.?

In an interview with ESPN magazine, Fred revealed, ?I kept trying and trying, but he always had something to do.?

Michael?s mother, Debbie had also defended her husband in an interview and insisted, ?My ex-husband loved his kids. He loves his kids. It bothered him. But I don?t think he knew how to fix it. So, Michael just kept on escalating and escalating and things were going OK, so he didn?t feel like he needed his dad.?

In 2014, Michael Phelps was arrested for DUI after which he voluntarily went into rehab for 45-days. During his time in rehabilitation, Phelps addressed his underlying issues of abandonment and avoidance towards his father, and reconciled with him shortly after.

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The loss of a parent is definitely an excruciating time for any individual, and the depth of the loss for the Baltimore Bullet is well felt through the heartwarming tribute that he made to his father.

As the world grieves alongside the most decorated swimmer in the world, all we hope for is immeasurable courage and strength for the bereaved members of the Phelps family.