Armour: It's time for Michael Phelps to grow up

Michael Phelps' only record that matters right now is two. As in, the number of times the Olympic champion swimmer has been busted for driving under the influence.

That's two times too many for anyone. But it's completely inexcusable for a 29-year-old who swore 10 years ago that he'd recognized the "seriousness of this mistake" while being sentenced on his first DUI-related charge.

It's also mind-bogglingly stupid for someone who is a millionaire many times over thanks to his endorsement contracts with Under Armour, Subway, Visa and Aqua Sphere. Phelps can well afford a driver. Or Uber.

"I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility," Phelps said Tuesday in a statement. "I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."

That's nice. Except that's pretty much the exact same thing he said when he was 19 – and again when he was 23 and photos surfaced of him sucking on a bong at a party. Perhaps the 18-time Olympic gold medalist learned absolutely nothing from those experiences, somehow believing that his otherworldliness in the pool exempts him from ordinary good behavior.

Phelps was clocked doing 84 in a 45-mph zone by a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer. When his 2014 Land Rover was pulled over, the officer said Phelps appeared to be under the influence. Phelps then failed a series of field sobriety tests.

"The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious," USA Swimming said in a statement. "We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool."

If Phelps wants to go out and party, that's his right. This is swimming's equivalent of the offseason.

But he doesn't have the right to endanger the life and safety of others. It's sheer luck that he's not facing charges of vehicular manslaughter or causing bodily injury.

What makes this latest bout of stupidity even more troubling is how easily it could have been avoided. Phelps lives and trains in Baltimore, not some backwater town. He could have called a cab. Or, better yet, hired a driver to take him to and from wherever he was going.

Plenty of other athletes and celebrities do that, including some of his fellow swimmers. In fact, next time they're together, Phelps ought to ask Ryan Lochte what he does.

Phelps has lived a largely sheltered existence. While most people his age were testing boundaries and making the mistakes that helped shape them as adults, Phelps was swimming. When he did finally get a taste of freedom after retiring following the London Olympics in 2012, he quickly grew bored and returned to the shelter of the pool.

PHOTOS: Phelps through the years

"It's good to have some structure back in my life," Phelps said in July. "That's how I've always been. That's something I need. I was happy to get that year and a half where I did whatever I wanted, went wherever I wanted. I got that out of the way, and I'm happy to have this back."

But Phelps' life will go on long after he takes off his suit and goggles for good, and he'll fare far better once he realizes that the same rules and expectations apply to him as everyone else. If he can't see that, then someone close to him -- be it his mother, longtime coach and mentor Bob Bowman, USA Swimming or one of those sponsors that pays him so handsomely – needs to sit him down and tell him to grow up.

Because an Olympic gold medal is not a free pass. Or an excuse.