After two-and-a-half months on the down low, Tiger Woods yesterday made his first in-person public statements regarding his Thanksgiving weekend accident and subsequent revelations of serial marital infidelity.
In vintage Woods fashion, his public apology was meticulously choreographed, delivered to friends, supporters and selected media with no questions allowed. The golfer kept a stiff upper lip throughout the nearly 14-minute address, channeling his late Green Beret dad by keeping his emotions in check as he delivered his carefully scripted words.
Woods acknowledged that his fame gave him easy access to myriad temptations, and that as a result of his hard work to reach golf's pinnacle, he felt entitled to indulge. He also admitted straying from the Buddhist faith he was taught growing up. He apologized for his failings and the hurt they caused not only his family, but his legions of fans and supporters. He also lashed out at the tabloid media for hounding his family and pleaded with them to cease and desist.
As apologies go, Woods' mea culpa was certainly not the "Oprah" moment many followers and pundits seem to be craving. In the wake of the statement, observers questioned its sincerity and criticized Woods for refusing to take questions.
I came away with the sense that Woods is serious about mending his ways. He confirmed that he spent more than a month in counseling to address his problems, with more to come. And he asserted that for him, golf remains on the back burner pending his personal progress. He left open the possibility of a return to competition in 2010, but implied that it's a ways off. With majors upcoming at Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, three venues where he has dominated in the past, his apparent willingness to forsake them in the interest of personal rehabilitation is a strong statement in itself.
As for his marriage, Woods correctly observed that his true apology to his wife, Elin Nordegren, will come through his actions, not his words.
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, we've been hearing a lot about redemption as athletes with past Olympic failures strive for gold. After his fall from grace, Woods has much to do to redeem himself in the eyes of his wife, his family and his fans. He appears intent on doing so. I hope he can back up his words with the right behavior.
I think this problem is not completly solved.
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Posted by: Jalyn | 03/12/2010 at 02:42 AM