It seems everyone this side of everywhere has an opinion about the statement Tiger Woods offered to the world yesterday. Hell, even my Aunt Mary offered her quick hit on my commentary, and it wasn't complimentary (grin).
Let me be clear about this: Tiger Woods owes an apology to no one except those he sees fit to offer one to. But Tiger Woods decided to offer his words to the world, so shame on Woods and anyone else if the response it generated isn't what they think it ought to be. The media, me, my Aunt Mary and anyone else is granted the right to offer opinion after Woods pushed his message worldwide.
Second, Woods scolding the media was and is pathetic. I actually tempered my criticism yesterday, but after a night's rest, it's nothing short of laughable. The media helped build Tiger Woods and he gladly accepted the perks. Sponsors lined up around for miles to offer him millions. Why? Woods was the most recognizable athlete in the world, a status the media helped him attain. The media plastered his image, sound bytes and video everywhere. Rarely was the coverage negative. In the past handful of years Post-Fluff, Woods's surly temper and foul mouth went largely unreported.
But when his affairs coincided with his ultra-private mission, and he refused to address the issue, the media did what everyone this side of six feet under knew they would do. They hounded him. Perhaps if he had given just one moment of thought to the scrutiny his wife and kids would endure if his indiscretions became public fodder.
Last, does anyone really believe Tiger when he says the 'only' day he could have hosted this mea culpa concert was the Friday of the tournament Accenture sponsors every year? Oh yes, you have to stay on your therapy schedule. Shame on Woods and shame on PGA commissioner Tim Finchem for allowing this sym-phony of regret to take place on his association's headquarters with such little regard to the sponsor's investment. If I were Accenture, this would be my last day in the sun with the PGA.
Remember, Accenture was the first major sponsor to dump Woods. Woods didn't want to stick this to his former partners? Woods is well-known to be one of the most vengeful golfers ever to play. When provoked, his fierce drive and tremendous talent have proven to be a combination no golfer before or since has been able to match.
I wasn't buying yesterday. I'm not buying today, either. Let it rip from the heart, Tiger, or spare us the blather.
Regards...
~T.C. Cameron speaks from the heart within this space 25 hours a day & eight days a week but despises the Beatles in favor of just about any track from Led Zeppelin...
Vic isn't happy with me today. Worked UD/Richard yesterday in the first round and the game went into 2 OT. In the second OT, he walked by me and muttered "2 OT Mike. Shame on you". Cut into his bar time, I think. I'd be pissed at me, too.
Posted by: Mike | February 21, 2010 at 11:02
You're right.
Kids should not pay the price for the adult sinner. I think this morning's news that -- FINALLY -- someone will testify on record that Kwame Kilpatrick took bribes is hitting home with me.
I can only imagine what the kids of Big Pimpin' & The Slugger have endured and will continue to face because of these two clowns.
What's new on the officiating circuit? I heard Vic won MIAAA Director of the Year...good for him.
Posted by: The Write Referee | February 21, 2010 at 09:14
I agree he was stiff and completely out of his element, and your point that if he was so worried about his family he wouldn't have made the choices he did is 100% valid. My problem comes down to the fact that we as humans have a very limited window of innocence. That window gets slammed shut when cameras, reporters, and other type of vultures surround your every move. I just don't think children should pay for adults sins. Otherwise, everything you have said on the subject I am lock step with you on.
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2010 at 23:22
Sorry, Mike, you know I respect your opinion, and I do agree the kids are out of bounds. I completely agree in theory...
...but Tiger knew how this was going to go. Had he had ANY concern for those closest to him BEFORE he got caught, and had he truthfully bared his soul and taken the wind from the sails of the asshole segment of the media, he MIGHT have saved his kids from this treatment.
On a lighter note, maybe looking like a human being would have helped Friday. He looked like the HeadMaster at Country Day on casual Friday. The entire presentation, for that matter, the security, the curtains, etc. was too stiff and stuffy for that kind of moment.
Posted by: The Write Referee | February 20, 2010 at 20:02
You're smarter than that. Tiger could have answered questions from now until doomsday, and the press still would have hounded his wife and children. That is the exact reason OK, Star, Us Weekly, etc are published, to stalk people in the news.
I don't know what his thoughts are, whether he is sorry for the sin or being caught, or if it's all a show. The one thing he is 100% correct about is his wife and kids should be left alone. ESPECIALLY the kids.
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2010 at 19:04