What Do You Think About Tiger?
As you know, I’m a big fan of Tiger Woods and have blogged about him a few times on here. Yesterday he released the following statement on his blog:
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I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.
Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.
Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it’s difficult.
I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.
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So, what do you think about Tiger and the unfolding events?
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Even the best men are at best, men. Tiger may seem to have everything in the eyes of the world but obviously he’s still missing something. My bet is it’s Jesus.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I agree, Bobby. I agree.
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Sin sucks.
From a golf perspective, his achievements will only be measured by the sport and not life. The comparisons to Nicklaus stop at the 18th green.
There are great people & great athletes but seldom both. I would love to see redemption happen in Tiger. There’s no joy in his ‘fall’ …
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
You're right. No joy in his fall at all. I do pray for redemption.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Bro, I just posted to my Blog about 30 min. ago with my thoughts on Tiger….I'm more frustrated with American Society & our ability to cast judgement and reap havoc on the lives of others…hopefully he has a "real friend" in his life….
Miss ya man…praying for you guys!!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I do hope he has a "real friend" in his life – probably extremely hard for someone of his status. Thanks for your prayers.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Very sad. I woke yesterday morning (literally) to Tiger's voicemail to the "other woman" being played on the radio. It made my heart sick to hear the pain and torment of someone so trapped. The weight that someone in his position must carry is beyond my grasp.
It's interesting to see his reflections on "sin" and "transgressions." Seems to come from someone without much depth of spiritual insight. It's as if he's looking at those things in a purely relational context.
One thing that grabs me is his conversation about privacy and his statement, "Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone." He has a disconnect here. Many (including me) have "felt" the regret. When you're a public figure–and one that is revered–you share your life at a different level with others. That's part of the responsibility that comes along with the mega paychecks, endorsements an a fan-base that's measured in the millions/billions. I suppose this would be different if he'd remained single (even if he'd chosen to live the life of a "player"). But he broke covenant with his wife…and many of us are feeling the ugliness and hurt involved with that.
He's a broken guy…and I'm praying for wholeness for Tiger and his family.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I agree he's a broken guy (we all need to be broken) and I pray for his wholeness, too.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Let me be honest: I love my wife and family…but everyday I get tempted to stray. Every single day! Now there are three things that keep me:
1. The Grace of God
2. The knowledge that that secret would one day become public
3. The damage it would cause my family, children, and future generations.
Personally, I don't want to crucify the guy. He messed up. But I'd like to meet someone who hasn't messed up. I will pray for him…and his family.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Great question Greg.
It's been interesting to watch how people's reaction is directly related to their admiration for him. Many of my friends who are huge Tiger fans tried to defend him. Surely it was just a car wreck, the media was making it up, etc. One said "I'll always like him no matter what". It's fine to admire his skills, but letting that influence our view of a person is always dangerous. I'm not a fan, and thought from Friday on that he was obviously hiding something. Later, his apology struck me as insincere and defensive.
It was interesting to watch the story spread on Twitter and see #whymencheat as the top topic. Very interesting to read that discussion. It seems we (Christians included) have this view that if a wife is hot enough, and the husband makes enough money, then affairs will never happen. Hopefully this will again change the perception that marriage is a formula: include certain ingredients, and it just works.
I do pray that his marriage is restored, but also that he gets desperate enough to change. I think Jesus was speaking compassionately about the rich man and the eye of the needle. It can be so easy to ignore underlying issues when everything on the surface is going great.
I've never been interested in these celebrity details before, but this story was different.
Maybe it's because I'm skeptical of people with images that perfect. Was Tiger better off when this was secret, or is this a good thing? He'll miss the rest of the year, and his endorsements will suffer. I really hope this is rock bottom enough for him. Hearing that desperate voicemail makes me think so.
Is it wrong to be interested in his private details, any more than it is to admire him for simply being able to hit a golf ball? Just things to think about.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
More insight from one of my favorite counselors. She might disagree with me on some of the above. Good discussions.
http://divorcebusting.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/wh...