At 11 a.m. on Friday, faithful fans and followers of Tiger Woods tuned in to watch his news conference, wich lasted roughly 15 minutes. Throughout this time, he admitted and apologized for the now infamous scandal, saying, “I had affairs” and “I cheated.” He also reviewed what has happened in his life, starting with his Thanksgiving Day car crash.
In this short and direct statement, Woods named specific people he wanted to apologize to, including his wife, other important people in the room and his fans. With an apparent tear in his eye, he took the blame for all of what has occurred in these last few months.
Hoping to get those endorsements back? Probably. Desperately trying to mend his ruined reputation? Most definitely.
I guess the only remaining question is: Does a news conference make everything OK and does a public apology erase the past? I don’t think so. The conspicuous actions that he committed were not by accident. They were intentional, and in my mind and most definitely in the minds of others, they were unforgivable.
Understanding his prestigious and prominent role in the golf world, I can see why his loyal fans would accept this apology. Unbiased non-golfers, however, see his situation differently. This is not an addiction or terrible family tragedy. This is something he chose to do, and committed on his own: adultery. And no matter how many times he says that he’s sorry, any self-respecting person knows that something like that is irreparable.
Being on Woods’ side because of his great golf game is completely ignorant. His achievements on the golf course and his world fame do not exempt him from any of his recent actions. It certainly cannot hide or compensate for what he has done. Blindly siding with Tiger makes you just as ignorant as him, and regardless of his public statement Friday morning, apologizing doesn’t always make everything better, especially something as significant as this.
Unfortunately, Woods is just one of many athletes in recent years to have such a scandal revealed. Even more unfortunate is the fact that these athletic figures are role models to the youth of today. One thing I do give Woods credit for is mentioning that he is fully aware of the fact that he is indeed a role model and has not only set a poor example, but he has completely let his followers down.
In this news conference, he admitted that apologetic words will not repair things with his wife. Only his future behavior and actions (like maybe staying faithful?) will repair their relationship. At the same time, this is the only thing that will repair his once prestigious, good-guy reputation.
I commend Woods for publicly taking responsibility for his actions. However, he is a long way away from things ever returning to normalcy. He will be forever associated with his adulterous actions and he has essentially damaged his reputation forever.
Sorry Tiger.
You deserve it.
Screen grab via The Big Lead.
make me proud • Feb 25, 2010 at 11:23 am
bri i must agree with you. but by agreeing with you i have to admit that we fit the definition of ignorant according to the author.
how are you going to call you audience ignorant. we are entitled to our opinion without the ridicule of some journalist. why cant you be happy for brother getting it in. you cant be mad at him its in his nature, hes a winner and he wants to pass on his genes, obviously. Cheating is normal and forgivable. sex inst that sacred, man. its just an act where bodies bang into each other rhythmically for sometime.
but this reminds me of my biggest problem with this school: the diversity. its pretty much a homogenous mixture we got here, for the most part you guys believe in the same religion made apparent by all the crosses on ash wednessday, the attire, the majors, the skin color. And i understand the very ego centric statement “in my mind and most definitely in the minds of others…”
if im thinking it then everybody else is. Everyone is just like me here at quinnipiac. you may be right?
I think the fashion corner is pretty gross for this reason. i dress like this and so should you, i think thats the message its sending.
but you guys at the chron obviously know your audience very well and will keep printing for them
did u know that tiger woods got more cover stories on the NY post than the WTC?
Its about money and publicity, and as long as there is a demand, journalist will write about Pete Moran , Matt Scherl, Eliot Spitzer and Tiger Woods.
Keep up the good work!!!
Bri • Feb 24, 2010 at 2:52 pm
This continuous media bashing of Tiger Woods is ridiculous. Honestly, why does the public care? He cheated on his wife, something “normal” people do every single day. We don’t see those people being dragged into public shame. His personal life and affairs have nothing to do with what he is famous for, being a great golfer. His only apology should have been to his wife and his wife only since she is the only person actually affected by this. The public has been bashing him for months, and for what reason? Was anyone a Tiger Woods fan because of his chivalry and honesty, or because he’s an excellent golf player? I highly doubt having sex with someone who isn’t his wife will impede on his golf skills. I do not see what all the hype is with star-crazed people. He is a human and an athlete, not someone the public trusts with wholesome values and fidelity. Why doesn’t the chronicle take a poll of everyone who has either cheated on someone or been cheated on; the numbers will definitely be high. Why aren’t any of these people being ashamed on every public network and website, and apparently school newspaper? The entire affair should not have been publicized, especially not to this extent. Get over it people, and focus on something that actually affects your life or the lives of your peers, because Tiger cheating on his wife has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!