NEW YORK — Michael Phelps insists he's more worried about the pain he caused family, friends and fans than losing money in endorsements after he was photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

In excerpts from an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer that aired this morning, the swimming star didn't directly answer the question of whether he was smoking marijuana.

"It was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about. It's a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment."

USA Swimming suspended the Olympic great for three months after the photograph was published in a British tabloid Feb. 1. He also lost his sponsorship from Kellogg.

"I've come to realize that people want to bring you up, but more people want to bring you down. And that's how our public is."

Phelps has previously apologized for his poor judgment.

He was questioned about promises he made to fans after a DUI arrest in 2004, which the swimmer vowed was a mistake he would not repeat.

"I'll be the first one to admit I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. Both, like I said, in the pool and out of the pool. I've never made the same mistake twice."

When asked if he considered his DUI arrest and the marijuana controversy the same thing, Phelps replied: "In my eyes, no. I think they're both immature and stupid mistakes."