I’m not sure if I was disappointed with Michael Phelps recent appearance on Jay Leno because I don’t think I expected much to begin with. I was certainly disappointed with his choice of wardrobe - what seemed to be a sweatsuit and sandals - and his lack of decorum in pulling his leg up on the chair. There seemed to be no respect for the level of talk show he was on. Even a novice interviewee (which he isn’t thanks to those eight golds) should know better…or at least “his people” should… or his mother, who I’m sure with her newfound star status, isn’t wearing the same clothes SHE wore in Beijing. Now, I know he hasn’t been home since June 25, but this was The Tonight Show afterall, and he did just get that million-dollar bonus. He could have done some shopping!

Throughout his appearance Phelps was low-key, straight-forward and humble, which brings me back to that million bucks - he has donated it to the Michael Phelps Foundation, which he started to “promote the sport of swimming and take it to a new level and promote a healthy and good lifestyle.” So we’ll take back the shot about having enough money to buy some better threads, but he does need help in that department.  Even his hosting gig on SNL proved that he is slightly wardrobe challenged.

All that being said when Jay asked about the future of his Olympic records being broken, he graciously said “records are made to be broken, I hope so.”  A classy perspective from one of the world’s greatest athletes.  Next time, just kick it up a notch.