2 years ago
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Michael Phelps Talks Retiring From Swimming After Rio
Michael Phelps is paying tribute to his precocious father.
The Olympian shared successful a heartfelt Instagram that his father, Fred Phelps has passed away. "You'll ever beryllium my dad. And I'll ever beryllium your son…Love you dada and I volition miss you rip dad."
Michael—who shares sons Boomer, 6, Beckett, 4, and Maverick, 3, with woman Nicole Johnson—shared respective throwback photos of his father, including 1 of his begetter looking lovingly astatine his grandson and 1 successful which helium holds 1 of his grandsons.
Fellow Olympian Lindsey Vonn commented, "I'm truthful atrocious for your loss. He volition ever beryllium there," portion the Baltimore Ravens wrote, "So atrocious for your loss. Your Ravens household is sending love."
The elder Phelps—who shared the aforesaid name, Michael Fred Phelps, arsenic his celebrated son—was a retired Maryland State Trooper who played shot successful precocious schoolhouse and assemblage and besides tried retired for the NFL's Washington Commanders successful the 1970s.
While Michael and his begetter had a strained narration implicit the years stemming from his parents' 1994 divorce, the jock reflected connected their estrangement and aboriginal reconciliation successful 2016.
"I felt abandoned. I person an astonishing parent and 2 astonishing sisters," helium told Sports Illustrated, "But I would similar to person a begetter successful my life, and I've been carrying that astir for 20 years."
However, aft Michael entered rehab pursuing his apprehension connected drunk driving charges successful 2014, things began to amended betwixt him and his dad. "Our narration is truly great, and it's continuing to grow," Michael told the outlet successful 2016. "We've learned that we person a batch successful common."
He besides noted that becoming a begetter helped him summation a amended position connected his dad. "I've realized that was the champion my begetter could person done," helium told ESPN successful 2016. "It sucks. But I get it. I recognize now. I've learned a batch connected the roadworthy that I've walked that volition marque maine a amended father."
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