by James W. Breedlove
At approximately 11 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2010 the nation and the world interrupted normal business activity for 13 1/2 minutes to witness the highly anticipated press conference of the world’s greatest golfer, Tiger Woods.
Standing at a podium, in a hushed room at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL before an invitation only audience of 40 close friends, family and selected journalists, a somber Woods read his statement apologizing for marital indiscretions. Tiger’s imprint on golf is so massive that the four major TV networks along with every cable news channel broke into their regular programming to carry a live feed of the press conference.
Tiger apologized to his wife, family, friends, fans and business associates. He said he was sorry for his behavior, took personal responsibility for his inappropriate actions, promised to focus on getting himself together, and would continue to seek professional help for his uncharacteristic behavior.
Numerous critical responses were made to Tiger’s statement both in the blogosphere and in mainstream media decrying that Tiger had not given enough details about his transgressions and should not have had a closed press conference.
A blog written by CNN Sports Anchor, Justin Armsden, is representative of the attitude of many who believe they have a right to demand that Tiger reveal all aspects of his private life.
Armsden writes that, “Tiger is asking the media to leave his family alone because he brought this all on them but he is choosing to spoon feed the public what he decides they need to hear. Is he still entitled to do this? I don’t think so.”
Mr. Armsden insists that the media and the public need answers to questions like: What was behind the car crash in November? You admit to being unfaithful but was it on multiple occasions? Do you still have the same hunger as a golfer? Can you ever be as intimidating as a player if you come back?
He goes on to say, “Their desire to control everything is arrogant and disrespectful to fans who want the hard questions asked.”
There were fans who disagree with Armsden’s demands for ongoing unrestricted press conferences as evidenced in their responses to his blog.
“What goes on in his bedroom should be none of our business. He does not owe any of us anything. The man said it right when he said it’s between him and his wife. Let it go.”
“Of course he can spoon feed the media. It is an issue between him and his (future ex?) wife. The media aren’t entitled to any more than he wants to give.”
“Give the guy some credit. He has demons just like the rest of us. As for the questions that you say we – the public, the media – deserve to know answers to: The car crash details are the business of law enforcement, not us. The details of the affairs are the business of the people involved, not us. Get a life. It is what it is. Quit your whining and let the guy move on!”
To encourage naysayers to move on, the advisors and public relations experts who prepared the statement that Mr. Woods read should have included a concise closing that clearly identified where Tiger draws the line between his professional and private life. The following is offered for consideration.
“My family and I are going through a difficult period in our lives. While I am still in the process of evolving and understanding who I am I feel confident that my reaffirmation with my core faith is a move in the right direction.
I appreciate all that you have done over the past 32 years of my life. You embraced me as a two year old prodigy after I appeared with Bob Hope on the Mike Douglas show. You were there during my formative years as my future career began to take shape while participating in Junior World Golf, U.S. Junior Amateur Golf, U.S. Amateur Golf, a two year stint at Stanford University, and finally becoming a professional golfer in 1996.
You were there during the difficult days of 1997 as I struggled with the daunting task of integrating myself into the professional ranks. The pieces began to come together in 1999 and for over a decade I and golf fans the world over have had an amazing ride as we witnessed raising the bar of professional golf to new heights. I cannot thank you enough for your support.
While I respect your right to have any opinion about my actions as a professional athlete, in the final analysis I alone must define who and what Tiger Woods is. I cannot concede to you a power of attorney to define me via consensus polling or committee analysis. It is impossible to please everybody and even if I tried to do so precedence has shown it is the wrong road to travel.
As a human being I have made mistakes. I cannot guarantee perfection. I can only promise that I will learn from my mistakes and try to do better as I grow in wisdom, maturity, and understanding of myself and the world I live in.
I have and will continue to dedicate myself to providing you with professional golf played to the highest level of my ability.
It is time to move on. I and my family must deal with the issues of my mistakes because they are our issues. My professional life is open to you but my private life is and always will be mine.”
Comments or opinions may be sent to the writer at: www.truthclinic.com
