A Letter to Tiger

Dear Mr. Woods (aka supposedly The Most Important Athlete in the World),

I am (sort of) a fan of golf, but I can't even call myself a casual fan. I follow who wins the majors and some tournaments, but I don't watch it, and, with the exception of once in my life, the only golfing I do only involves rubber-headed putters, oddly colored balls, and windmills and castles. But I did listen to your prepared statement to the world. I'm like the rest of the world; I wanted to hear what the Great Tiger Woods had to say. What were you going to say? Was Elin going to be there? When ARE you going to golf again?

After watching and listening, my first impressions are that you said all that needed to be said. You took responsibility for the things you did. You explained that you and your wife are working on things, although she was not present, which in itself says many things. You were understandably indignant when addressing how the paparazzi and the press followed your wife and kid around, and the allegations that Elin attacked you, but you should have expected this. For a person of your popularity and importance to the world, when you disappear and leave nothing in the way of facts, people are left to fill in the blanks, which includes going down inappropriate paths. It's not right, but that is how things work.

What many people have found to be the most important part of what you said is how you apologized to the fans and those who look up to you and your asking that we someday can come to believe in you. This is what got me. Everything about the way you have done things up until now tell me that you never really believed in that idea. You have had many opportunities to step up and take a stand on social issues, but didn't because you just wanted to play golf. I imagine that you knew that people looked to you as a hero because of what you have accomplished, but you never believed that it was your place.

Now, as a husband and father, I find your actions to be reprehensible, as do many. I do not blame the sponsors that dropped you. I personally believe it is bad practice in society to knowingly support those who cannot stay true to their own family. And yet, since all you are is an athlete, it is no business of mine to know what you do in your family. If you are unfaithful, it does nothing to me and my family. You owed no one other than your family and personal friends an apology. But because you are the Great Tiger Woods, The President of Golf, The Most Watched Athlete on Earth, and The Chosen One To End The War With Machines (oh, you're not that last one? Sorry), you had to so that you could move forward with your career.

This is the problem. Why are so many people looking to you to be a role model? All you have shown us, even before the public knowledge of your indiscretions, is that you win as a golfer. You have not exhibited camaraderie with your fellow golfers. You have not shown grace or classiness on the golf course. You have not shown sensitivity to social issues. You have only won, although you have done that a lot. I never would have taught my children to look up to your or believe in you. There are far too many other people that demonstrate far greater attributes than you. I don't blame you- this is not your fault, but rather an indictment on our society. We want to look to our celebrities as our examples. All you did was try to be the best golfer in the world.

Now I hope for your family's sake that you are sincere in your words and that you can find forgiveness and reconciliation. I believe that one should be able to find these things for almost all things if there is true change in acts and desires. Perhaps your apology was appropriate for a select few- for those who look to you as a model for golf. These people need to see you play, succeed, and change to show the respect that the sport deserves. As for the rest of us, just get yourself right and go play golf. That is what we need from you, more than any prepared words of apology, explanations, or anything else.

Sincerely,

All of us