America’s Unemployed Olympic Hero

Wow... So many negative comments. I'm not only stunned but I'm disappointed. So many people really are lost today huh?

One person writes that she won't buy stuff that's endorsed - and grinds on the parents for teaching their kids that they can be exploited by brands who use the power of endorsement to gain a competitive edge. I guarantee her kid's will have some issues when they grow up - and hopefully will find some help and not pass that along to their own.

Another tells Jason to get a job. Ah, I'm sure he'll do what he has to.

Another calls him greedy. Boy... Being in the top 3 in any other sport will bring you far more than what he's looking for. Plus, the window is closing - he's got to get what he can. (Minimum MLB contract: $390k, NFL $285k, NBA Woohoo $442k) $200k? ah... Beating a dead horse.

I swim. As a matter of fact, I swim a lane or two over from Jason a few times a week. He's fast. But more importantly, unlike so many athletes who get caught up in their success and scream "Look at me, I'm the best!" he's still just a dude.

He is approachable. He's kind. He's a role model for kids. He's not busting out the steroids like these other 100+ million dollar stars....

Anyhow, in other countries athletes of Jason's caliber are supported by their country - because these people are gifted, talented and special. They also bring us together in ways that wouldn't otherwise be possible. He carry the pride of the nation on their backs.

The aren't like you and me - but are gifted in other ways. Some of us unfortunately just haven't figured that out yet and it's one of the things that breeds negativity. Hopefully, mom who's torturing your kids, you'll figure that out.

And by the way, mom, if Jason was your son, I'm sure your story would change.

Anyway, Jason deserves our support. He works hard. I see it all the time. He's a real champion.

If you were around your TV when he magically pulled that last length out a hat you too were probably screaming your head off and cheering like a maniac. I know you were because I could hear just about everyone on my block screaming.

But if you weren't, you missed something special.

Corporate has to take the money away from sports to support politics., in the new economy. Jason is just one of many athlete's and families that have spent all the life savings on supporting them on the quest to represent the country. This is a sad example of how our country is supporting them.

Corporate money is now going towards politics. This is so sad.

John who? This guy is not famous, but him a chance.

If we value America's national pride, and believe that Jason Lezak's accomplishment in the last Olympics was heroic and bolstered our American identify, then one might agree that his current predicament is unfortunate and worthy of America's attention. I met Jason Lezak when he was visiting extremely sick children in the hospital. He was respectful, gentle, and extremely nice. To get to the point, if Jason Lezak sponsors a product and it is comparable to something else that I would normally buy, then I would choose the Lezak product because I like and admire him and wish him all the best for what he did for our country. Best wishes to you, Jason!

Instead of awarding the CEOs at AIG the 100 million in bonuses, why not give some of that money Lezak and other Olympic athletes? At least they gave us something to cheer about when everywhere else we turned was something that made us want to hang our heads in shame.

I don't understand why everyone is having so much agita about this. These guys work very hard at their sport. That is a job in itself. If they are able to make some big bucks by sponsoring products then more power to them. That is capitalism and this is America. If you want to be upset with something be upset with your stupid President spending trillions we don't have!

So, he's only made (at least) $50,000 for motivational speeches so far in 09? It's hard for me to type this through the tears that keep falling onto my keyboard. Is the point of this story that we are supposed to be sad because swimming hasn't made him rich? Why can't the journey of athletic greatness be it's own reward. He's had a great run, and seemingly a great life. Most of us to have to turn the chapter eventually. I

You can thank the current generation of parents for this. What, you say??? The total fascination and attention that the media, advertising and society place on people and things is coming home to roost. It seems the only way to get our attention is to tout the top person in some field as being successful and promoting some product. This is supposed to induce me to buy that product. So now I bought it and now, in some twisted way, I am like them! What generation of parents allowed their kids to buy and consume on that basis? Who is really to blame for this idiocy in the first place? Honestly, look in the mirror America! You let the advertising world lead you around by the nose and you forgo your philanthropic obligations! If we supported worthwhile casues like we are supposed to, we would not need these overpriced advertising personalities. We are products of our own ignorance. Sorry Jason, but I won't buy a Speedo from Mr Phelps for the same reason I won't buy a policy from MO. They do not have the right fit in either situation! I will donate to the US Olympic committee for training support however!

So Lezak needs to do some downsizing of his own. Get rid of his agent and save the 10-20 percent. Lezak should cut his asking price from $200K to $150K or even $100K. If he has been swimming under corporate sponsorship he should have lots of names and contacts. He needs to use them. Yes, he worked hard for what he accomplished but he is no different than the rest of us heroes. Many of us work for those corporations that sponsored him for a lot less than what he is being GIVEN to pursue a sport that he LOVES but is not tied to, like many of us are at dead end jobs. Life is tough, make the most of it Jason! "Buck up and get 'r done!"

after reading this is is sad to me that Michael Phelps never offered any of the money spedo gave to him. He could have made a donation to the traing center so that Jason could contain to train. I guess instead me was spending his buying to buy drugs to celebrate....itsn't that what he told Matt Lauer.

I can't imagine a better spokespersone for Mutual of Omaha at a time like this. His remarkable effort to produce a win is exactly the image they should want to project. I have a Mutual of Omaha policy and I'm going to contact them on this.

Look, I know there's a lot of anger out there about the economy and how terrible things are for a lot of people. But not every article in every magazine is about you, or how one individual's situation relates to you. This is a guy who represented our country honoroably (not served, but represented) and is now in a tough spot. That his situation might be better than others' situations is a given. But this story isn't about how Lezak's life is better or worse than anyone else's, or what the balance of his savings account is compared to yours. It's an article about a guy whose livelihood is in danger of being taken away from him because of the economic environment. And that's something that's happening to a lot of people right now. If it hasn't happened to you, it could still happen. So try and find a little empathy.

That son-of-a-bitch is getting what he deserves. He let all of us think that he was a great guy who took the games with pride and serious intent.
HE has done neither. Sell you medals on the open market you smuck, that is what you did anyway.

Yeah, unfortunately there's not to much sympathy coming from me. I work in music, and lord knows we've all taken quite a few lumps over the past few years. Anyone who can make money pursuing their passion should be nothing but grateful for thier position, and realize that it's going to come with some sacrifice. The kind of money that he was making is quite substantial compared to most of working Americans. Further, the agent saying that Lezak needs to get $200K a year is just saying that because any less wouldn't be worth his time as an agent. Lezak needs to do more speaking gigs that pay less, and seek out sponsors willing to contribute in smaller amounts. HIs biggest lesson: the boy needs to save when time are good. That's a lesson we can all use.

Did that really say, "He can't enter the workforce in his mid-30s with nothing in savings." ??? Are you serious? You know what, I really like Lezak and got goose bumps when he swam that race too. But, either the author is a big fat whiner or Mr. Lezak is. Either way, the best time to enter the workforce is when you have nothing in savings, no matter how old you are. And his income is more than four times what my household income is, with both my husband and myself working full time and attending college. So tell me, who deserves the sponsors now: working students or whiney athletes? Sorry Mr. Lezak, you are a great swimmer and I wish things were better for you, but now is the time to count your blessings and not your injustices.

Poor guy, his monthly stipend is just $1750.
He should get a real job, just like the rest of us.