Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Tiger Talks, Evades

Okay. Now things are shaping up. Tiger is upset by the fact that he's fodder for the tabloid press. But when you earn $100 million a year, have a beautiful wife, two kids, and it's discovered you have a couple of smokin' hot girlfriends, who's to blame?

After reading Tiger's rebuke, it is clear he thinks the problem is the press. He can't get away. However, there are no photos taken inside his house. None in the places he goes after winning tournaments. Plenty on and around the golf course.

Oh sure, he says he's sorry for letting his family down. I guess that means he has admitted having affairs and that he and his wife have retained divorce attorneys who have begun negotiations. Moreover, though he says he and his wife have been hounded to expose personal details of their lives, it is probably more accurate to say that other people who have been involved with Tiger have been hounded to tell their stories.

Frankly, photos and comments from Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs and Kalika Moquin are likely to entertain consumers of tabloid stuff for a long time. Their new careers have been launched.

It's unlikely fans will think less of Tiger if he does what lots of celebrities have done. However, they will become disappointed if his golf game falters while he decides what to do.




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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