Just what the world needs, another person moralizing about Tiger Woods and his personal travails.
I don't know Tiger Woods. Never met him. I followed him for a day at Doral last year. Here's what I learned. He's immcaulate. His posture, the way he carries himself, the way he golfs... precision personified. Oh, and he's good at golf.
I don't have a stake in Tiger Woods personally. As soon as he stops winning golf tournaments... as soon as he's off the golf course... he's of no use to me. Just another stranger a world of five billion others.
But I do have to say, I was disappointed in his decision to play Augusta. Not as a viewer. The ratings will be huge. It will be compelling television. I wouldn't be surprised if he won (he's already the favorite in Vegas).
That's not it. Here's what bothers me.
If this was a 'fall from grace,' how did he fall? What did he lose? The guy came out and apologized to me. And to you. What for? He didn't owe me an apology. The reason Tiger was able to pull of the lifestyle that he did, he was surrounded by enablers. He wasn't told no. Ever. It appears whatever he wanted to do.... or whoever he wanted to do... could happen, like that. There were no limitations on him. And now... He's totally disgraced, he's hit rock bottom, he goes into rehab.... But don't let that get in the way of his favorite tournament. This guy's life is so charmed... That his 'problems' and subsequent 'solution' happen to fall within the most convenient time-frame.
What has he given up? What has he sacrificed? The PGA, CBS, his fellow golfers... they're all going to kiss his backside from the minute he tees off at 1. Golf needs him something fierce. Make no mistake about it. Jim Nantz would do things to Tiger that are illegal in 15 states and will do so as soon as the broadcast starts. The bubble that he lived in, it's about to start all over again. He's once again to be coddled and protected. Good luck saying anything negative from a gallery.
He's going to sell himself as a changed person. That's what bothers me. I don't care what type of person you say you are. Want to prove something to me? Skip one major. Sacrifice something you truly love to show that your family matters more. Sad fact, it doesn't. I don't care either way what he and Elin decide to do. I really don't. If the geeky golf kid from Stanford isn't happy with his wife, not my concern. Just don't sell me on what a changed man you are. One might say, he's got a right to work. Sure.
Fine, go back to work. Win tournaments, endorse cars, enjoy your life.
Just don't sell me on this great American comeback story.
It's not a comeback: You never lost anything.
Phil Knight just read your blog. Here's what he had to say:
ReplyDelete"How dare you disparage the world's greatest athlete? Judge not, lest ye be judged. Leave the man alone.... but don't forget to swing by your nearest Nike store and pick up a pair of the Tiger Woods Air Zoom 2010 golf shoes."
Tiger lost MILLIONS of dollars and his family-- doing what is natural for professional athletes to do. If it wasnt for the bizarre way this all unfolded--no one would care and people could turn a semi-blind eye like we do with jordan, kobe, wade etc. An interesting contrast is Magic--whose escapades, in comparison, would make global icon tiger woods look like high school/college tiger woods-- and still gets a free pass. The mystery of how this all played out attracted the TMZ/entertainment tonight clowns and this spiralled out of control. The irony is that if this came out with Tiger getting HIV--he would be more of a hero...
ReplyDeleteEveryone should leave Tiger alone. While some athletes uphold moral values, alot dont--so dont single him out. No one needs to judge him for anything other than what he does on the golf course (unless you are his wife, who can judge him with a 9 iron and 1/2 of what he is worth).
haha... great last line matt... Ari, as soon as he wins... Phil Knight will make a few more dollars.. no worries
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