“Couldn’t Even Turn On Lights”: Michael Phelps’ Family Was Forced to Sneak in Their Own House During the Horrifying Time of His Infamous Controversy

Michael Phelps is undoubtedly one of the best swimmers in the world. The American swimmer established sheer dominance in the sport since the 2004 Olympic games. Despite not being able to win a medal in his debut Olympics in 2000, Michael did not lose hope. Throughout his illustrious career, Michael faced many difficulties but overcame them bravely.

Phelps’ incredible achievements came at a huge cost. Due to Michael’s worldwide popularity, fans would be curious to know every aspect of his life. Even the smallest of mistakes that he made became headlines in no time.

Michael’s mother recalls a terrifying ordeal

Michael’s mother has been his support ever since he was young. The former Olympic Gold medalist rose to fame after winning eight medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Phelps was just 19 back then. However, an incident in November 2004 changed the public’s perception of the champion swimmer.

In November 2004, when Phelps was 19 years old, the police arrested him for Driving Under Influence (DUI) in Maryland. Back then, his arrest caused a lot of controversies, and people questioned his newly attained fame. Michael’s mother, Mrs. Deborah ‘Debbie’ Phelps, recalled the ordeal in her book ‘A Mother for All Seasons: A Memoir’ published in 2009. “When the news broke, it spread like wildfire, like something out of a horror movie—with TV clips of jail cell doors slamming ominously shut, dooming the life and career of one golden boy turned loser,” she wrote.

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Describing how they could not enter their own house during that period, she wrote, “While I stayed at the home of friends, Hilary and Whitney had to go in stealth, in the dark of night, to my back door so that they could slip inside and collect clothes and toiletries for me. The two of them couldn’t even turn on lights inside for fear of alerting the reporters who were camped out on my lawn.”

Michael Phelps and his relationship with his mom

Michael was raised by his mother, Deborah Phelps, ever since his parents divorced. Phelps was only nine years old when his parents parted ways. For a considerable part of his life, he did not have any contact with his father, Fred Phelps. He has revealed in multiple interviews how his mother has always encouraged him to push limits and achieve unbelievable feats.

Deborah Phelps, also called Debbie, would always be present at the stands to cheer for her son. Phelps recalled looking up to the stands to get motivated before a race. Michael even called himself a mama’s boy in an interview with Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart. Debbie extended her support to Phelps during his controversies and became the solid support he needed at that time.

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