The Tiger Woods Story

The recent story involving golf mega-star Tiger Woods brings up the issue of what separates public life from private life. Since the story first broke just about everyone has drawn some kind of conclusion as speculation has grown that Woods might have had an affair which led to domestic violence with Tiger himself on the receiving end. Who can’t picture in their mind Woods’ wife Elin with golf club in hand chasing him down the driveway. Tiger gets in his Cadillac Escalade and just as he begins backing up she smashes the club into the backseat window on the driver’s side. He floors it and moments later crashes into a fire hydrant and you know the rest of the story. Or do you?

Tiger, who is a very private person even in the best of times, says this is very much a private family matter. He didn’t exactly say that in public but rather in a release that was posted on his web site that nobody believes he wrote but rather approved. He is now holed-up in his palatial estate in a very exclusive gated community just outside Orlando, Florida. Woods was to host his own tournament this coming weekend in California but Monday it was announced he would skip the event while he recovers from cuts and bruises from the accident. Of course most believe that was just his way to avoid the cameras and numerous questions that would have come with a public appearance. So far Tiger has also refused requests from Florida State Troopers to answer their questions but at some point he may have no choice.

Of course this story has been on page one and all over the TV and radio not because there was a minor car accident but rather reports of another woman, infidelity and possible domestic violence. That’s the kind of stuff the golfing great has managed to avoid while building a bullet-proof image but the crows are circling and looking to feast on an ailing Tiger. You can be sure he’s been talking with those in his inner-circle and he can try to insist it’s all private but unfortunately he’s not only a public figure but it’s an adoring public that has helped make him a billionaire.

The truth is we love flawed athletes and we’re anxious to give them second chances, i.e. Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, and Michael Vick. Yet we have disdain for those who don’t beg for our forgiveness but rather hide behind a story nobody believes like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire. Which category will Tiger end up in…only time will tell?