After Ryan Lochte's mom revealed the Olympic athlete might be more than a little promiscuous, lots of tongues wagged and plenty of hearts broke.
However, the presumed "player" and swimming superstar has announced that his mom's words were taken out of context, TODAY.com reports.
Lochte's mother, Ike, had said that her studly son was prone to be loose in his love life.
"He goes out on one-night stands. He’s not able to give fully to a relationship because he’s always on the go," she told TODAY.com.
But Lochte, who celebrated his 28th birthday Friday, now insists that his mom merely misspoke.
"She meant I go on a lot of dates. She didn't mean anything negative. She's new to the whole media thing," he told E! in an interview Friday.
The swimmer's mom also tried to cover her tracks, telling USA Today that she had made an innocent slip of the tongue.
"All I wanted to say is that he's so sensitive about not wanting to hurt a girl dating, so he just goes and dates and takes out a girl for maybe one or two dates and doesn't have a relationship because he doesn't have [time] and it's not fair to the women," she said.
Lochte even told Us Magazine that he's never actually had a one night stand and stressed that he doesn't want to develop a reputation as a wanton ladykiller.
In fact, Lochte said his sights are now set on a wife and children.
“Now that the games are all said and done, I definitely want to get married and have kids and start a family of my own,” he told "Access Hollywood."
Though Lochte quickly added that he's not ready to walk down the aisle anytime soon, the Olympic star said he's on the lookout for someone who can make him smile.
"Make me happy, keep a smile on my face and I got to be able to trust them,” he said. “That’s who I’m going to settle down with and start a family with.”
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