Michael Phelps' New Look on 'College GameDay' Generates Viral Reaction

Michael Phelps appeared on College GameDay in Ann Arbor on Saturday, and fans who hadn’t seen the Olympic icon in a while were caught off guard by his new look.

Phelps looks noticeably different from his swimming days, now sporting long hair and a full beard.

"Michael Phelps looks like he just got back from his darkness retreat," one viewer noted .

Another felt that Phelps was channeling a character from Ted Lasso .

"Michael Phelps out here looking like Zava from Ted Lasso," another fan wrote .

Phelps' striking shift from his clean-cut image in the pool sparked a flood of comparisons.

"Every time I see Michael Phelps, he looks like a time-traveling samurai," another fan said .

Phelps has been pretty visible in recent months, making the rounds for the Paris Olympics. He was a welcomed sight on the College GameDay set.

"Michael Phelps just CRUSHED IT on College Gameday. He was relaxed, looked like a natural, and is getting better with every media rep he’s getting," a fan said . "I cannot emphasize enough how massive it is for the sport of swimming to have THE GOAT becoming a media GOAT."

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever, with 23 golds and 28 total medals across five Olympic Games. He dominated in events like the butterfly, freestyle, and individual medley. His decade-long career earned him global recognition as one of the greatest athletes and helped popularize competitive swimming.

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