TIGER, TIGER, TIGER...?

[King Richard]

Both.

 

[Krow]

Who cares? I'm sure mr peyton manning is doing the same thing every chance he gets.

 

[AchrisK]

No wai!!

 

[vermicide]

I really dont care. Everyone wants to cheat on their gf/wife/whatever at some point...

There's a difference between wanting to cheat and actually doing that. Cheating's inexcusable becaues it's not like you can do it by accident.

That said, I'm sick of hearing about this already haha. The New York Post had this horribly boring two-page article on some interview with the first chick who apparently didn't cheat on him. Even for the people who are genuinely interested in the story, I'm wondering why anybody gives a shit to read two whole newspaper pages of some chick saying she didn't do anything over and over? Not to mention she had to do the stereotypical girl thing and start talking about how she is a "professional" while the two women who started the rumors are total whores who fuck like everybody omg, which pretty much kills all validity in her words anyway. Booooooring.

 

[King Richard]

Jay Mariotti's article sums this up quite nicely.

We wanted to believe he was above the fraudulent fray, true to his family values, good and wholesome enough to help shape the world well into the future. That's what Tiger Woods was destined to do, according to his late father. "Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity," Earl Woods once said famously.

More than Buddha, he said. More than Gandhi, he said. More than Nelson Mandela, he said. "Because he has a larger forum than any of them,'' he theorized.

Well, this isn't quite what the old man had in mind. Remember all the occasions at golfing majors when Tiger would credit his wife and family for his maturity, his equilibrium, his historic preeminence on the course? All of that was a lie, apparently. Because a week after the 2007 Masters, when his wife, Elin, was two months away from delivering their first child, Woods is said to have met a Los Angeles cocktail waitress named Jaimee Grubbs at a Las Vegas nightclub. Thus began an affair that lasted more than 2 1/2 years and involved more than 300 text messages between them, some of which, if true, take sex texting to new levels of long-distance body heat.

To hear the tale from US Weekly, formerly one of those tabloids we'd ignore at the newsstand while searching for sports magazines, Grubbs said they had sex 20 times. The physical activity was frequent enough that Woods was prompted to call her with a request early last week, when the National Enquirer, one of those tabloids we'd ignore at the newsstand while searching for breath mints, reported that Woods had an affair with New York nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel. When I first heard the voice mail tape Wednesday morning on the magazine's Web site, I didn't want to believe it was him.

But now I believe it was.

"Hey, it's, uh, it's Tiger. I need you to do me a huge favor,"' he said. "Um, can you please, uh, take your name off your phone. My wife went through my phone. And, uh, may be calling you. If you can, please take your name off that and, um, and what do you call it, just have it as a number on the voicemail, just have it as your telephone number. That's it, OK. You gotta do this for me. Huge. Quickly. All right. Bye."

Like that, quicker than it takes to unzip a fly, the image of the world's biggest and richest athlete was tarnished forever. Suddenly, Woods was no different than Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, Charles Barkley and other megastar athletes whose careers have been smudged to varying degrees by deceit in their personal lives. In this age of performance-enhancement deception and infidelity, Tiger always carried himself as the one athlete who was faithful to his wife and had only one mistress: the game he has dominated like no other human being. Turns out there were other mistresses, at least one of whom could not be trusted and reportedly sold her story to US Weekly for an estimated $100,000.

Sleazy? Absolutely. But this is what happens when a celebrity, in the age of high technology and low journalistic standards, leaves himself vulnerable morally. Most likely, he'll be scalded by the fire. The fallout will be more devastating for Woods than the aforementioned sinners because we had so many hopes for him and held him to such a lofty standard as a person. What this confirms is that there's really nothing left to believe in, that we really don't know the people behind the image they're peddling.

And let there be no doubt that Woods has been peddling an image. While his wife and children didn't appear in his ads, he was presenting the picture of a young family man every time he climbed into a Buick. Or the picture of class and honesty when he appeared in those Gillette ads with Derek Jeter, Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year and Roger Federer, another family man. The companies he endorses have loved what he represented, too, and while all most were backing him with statements of support, even they must admit that we'll all be looking at Woods differently now.

He is not above the fray. Rather, he's just another big-time athlete who can't keep his package in his pants. And don't tell me that more than half the marriages fail in this country and that more than half the married men have affairs. Tiger Woods, by nature of his magnitude on the planet, was supposed to be an American hero. He is not.

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart," Woods wrote on his Web site. "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.''

He continued: "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.''

If his apology was sincere, his arrogance took over again when he lashed out at media organizations who, despite their tawdry reputations and apparent checkbook journalism, were accurate in their reporting. Yes, it's hell being Tiger Woods when a camera is your face 24/7. But he is the one dumb enough to leave a texting and voice mail trail, so this really isn't the time for one of his arrogant commentaries about the intense scrutiny he deals with. He provided one anyway.

"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,'' he wrote. "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.''

The points he makes are well-taken but ill-timed. We need to hear complete humility from him, not the whine of someone who tried to fight his way through the rumors until he was too deep in doo-doo to avoid getting caught. Rather than take us through his incremental denial machines, which started last Friday, Woods could have made things much simpler by releasing his apology the minute he got wind of the tabloid reports last week. Instead, while dealing with the bizarre SUV accident that may or may not have been related to an argument with his wife. he maintained that some of the reports were "utterly false and malicious.'' He tried to deceive the public when there's nothing a lot of us hate more than a cover-up attempt.

What's sad is that Tiger Woods, whose foundation is a powerhouse that has donated more than $30 million to communities via grants and scholarships, will take a bigger hit than any of the others. Clemens, a steroids and marital cheater, never was likable. Jordan always flaunted his side affairs. Rodriguez's marital and steroids issues didn't surprise anyone. Barkley, who was busted for DUI and tried to beg out of it by emphasizing the oral sex he was planning with his female passenger, continues to offer rip-roaring commentary as a Teflon comedian. And Bryant? No one sells more NBA jerseys these days than a one-time womanizer who was charged with rape before acquitted. Why will Tiger take the biggest hit? His transgressions came completely out of the blue, meaning the shock value will linger for some time.

The damage to his image is done. Now, how will his golf game be affected? Though his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery was successful and he won six times, he didn't win a major event in 2009. Woods also showed sporadic lapses in focus and fire, blowing a shot to win the Masters with bogey-bogey the last two holes and losing to the previously obscure Y.E. Yang at the PGA Championship. As it is, Woods always has been wary of the public. Now, having been caught in a lie, how will he handle the embarrassment when he resumes his career in late January?

This weighty episode only saddles him with more pressure as he attempts to win the five majors necessary to achieve his biggest goal: breaking Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships. At least he ended any future barrages of affair-related questions by releasing his statement, which is how David Letterman handled his sex-in-the-office revelations. But everywhere he goes, Woods will hear whispers -- and maybe even taunters -- about Jaimee Grubbs.

Since emerging in the intense public eye in his teens, Woods often has retreated into a cocoon, protecting his privacy intensely. Now, will he become more reclusive -- and surly in public? He always has tried to cultivate friendships with other golfers, but perhaps now his rivals see a crack in the Woods fortress. I remember the day when Tiger said his life could be lonely at times. He never has felt lonelier than he does today, and the game he plays could drive him further into isolation. "It's hard when you don't have that built-in framework of the team, when you can sort of absorb yourself into a jersey," said Stewart Cink, the defending British Open champion. "Out here, you're an island. When you play great, you're an island. When you play poorly, you're an island. And when you have some attention off the course that you'd rather not have, then you're an island."

The January edition of Golf Digest -- oops! -- made Woods a cover subject and placed him in a photo illustration with President Obama. The story line: "10 things Obama could learn from Tiger -- and vice versa.'' The list should have been expanded to 12: How to avoid a driveway SUV accident, and how not to cheat on your wife.

Gandhi and Mandela, it seems, have nothing to worry about. Their places in history are secure, unthreatened by a golfer with a permanent smear on his name. With apologies to the late Earl Woods, Tiger has done more than any other man in history to change the course of infidelity, not humanity.

 

[skeptik]

Sports players are in no way obligated to be role models or even good people. This, like every other god damn thing in our society, is being massively blown out of proportion. Let's not forget that Michael Phelps is also a scumbag because he smoked some weed. Oh wait, so did our last few presidents.

 

[RedinTheSky]

Jay Mariotti's article sums this up quite nicely.

If this guy's penis was already this far down their throats, then they deserve what happens.

 

[Badbird]

Sports players are in no way obligated to be role models or even good people. This, like every other god damn thing in our society, is being massively blown out of proportion. Let's not forget that Michael Phelps is also a scumbag because he smoked some weed. Oh wait, so did our last few presidents.

Also don't forget baseball people like Barry Bonds, David Ortiz,Manny Ramirez,Mark Mcgwire and Sammy Sosa who all have had steriods which is something a kid should not look up to.

 

[ASD]

Berry Bonds

I lol'd.

 

[Badbird]

I lol'd.

Because his head was a berry and than turn into a bobblehead by taking steriods.

 

[King Richard]

Sports players are in no way obligated to be role models or even good people. This, like every other god damn thing in our society, is being massively blown out of proportion. Let's not forget that Michael Phelps is also a scumbag because he smoked some weed. Oh wait, so did our last few presidents.

That's the way the world works. I think you need to come to this realization and move on already.

 

[muzmaze]

^
It is the way the world works people...

I personally think parents and such should be the role models, but athletes kinda are...wether we like it or not? People also need to understand that yes this story is going to be blown out of proportion, but Tiger as a figure was already out of proportion before this story. KD already mentioned Tigers status and the big deal that this guy is...wether your a fan or not? He is not a nation-wide figure, he is the biggest world-wide international sports figure out there. This guy plays in tournaments all over the world, draws huge sponsers and paying crowds, has the biggest endorsements. His effect in society as well as in the sports-world is off the charts. This is a big deal folks!

When it all comes down to it though, Tiger could have made better decisions. If the wife is that bad?...then get out...then screw around all ya want. Save yourself (even though he can afford it) a ton of money. He will now have to pay-off tramps to shut up probably for the rest of his life? He really is one sleazy bastard and not the saint that he portrayed. Just the same, the wife appears to be a wack-job and as sleazy. A 300 million $ pre-nup and willing to stick around Tiger and all his whores...wants to now adjust the pre-nup even higher? Honey, take your kids, the 300 mill, get away from the circus, go back to Sweden and move on with it.

 

[no country for old wainds]

anyone who didn't realise tiger woods is an utter cunt like 10 years ago deserves a golf club to the sternum

 

[divine_torture]

Club the balls. Hole in 1. Etc.

 

[Merloch]

Im married but I am still realistic. I thought metalheads were in general smarter, but apparently not.

It is human nature to do what Tiger did. Get over it.

 

[AchrisK]

Im married but I am still realistic. I thought metalheads were in general smarter, but apparently not.

It is human nature to do what Tiger did. Get over it.

Agreed, but it is a part of human nature that should be controlled.

 

[Badbird]

This has be all over the news.

Tiger did something wrong but like Merloch said get over it .This happens to a lot of people and they don't get huge news like Tiger because they are not a big sports figure or celebrity.ESPN must be talking about this story alot right now.

 

[skeptik]

When it all comes down to it though, Tiger could have made better decisions. If the wife is that bad?...then get out...then screw around all ya want. Save yourself (even though he can afford it) a ton of money. He will now have to pay-off tramps to shut up probably for the rest of his life? He really is one sleazy bastard and not the saint that he portrayed. Just the same, the wife appears to be a wack-job and as sleazy. A 300 million $ pre-nup and willing to stick around Tiger and all his whores...wants to now adjust the pre-nup even higher? Honey, take your kids, the 300 mill, get away from the circus, go back to Sweden and move on with it.

Awful lot of speculation here, don't you think? Jesus Christ.

That's the way the world works. I think you need to come to this realization and move on already.

^
It is the way the world works people...

I personally think parents and such should be the role models, but athletes kinda are...wether we like it or not? People also need to understand that yes this story is going to be blown out of proportion, but Tiger as a figure was already out of proportion before this story. KD already mentioned Tigers status and the big deal that this guy is...wether your a fan or not? He is not a nation-wide figure, he is the biggest world-wide international sports figure out there. This guy plays in tournaments all over the world, draws huge sponsers and paying crowds, has the biggest endorsements. His effect in society as well as in the sports-world is off the charts. This is a big deal folks!

I don't care about what kind of "role" he has been assigned to society through media saturation. The fact of the matter is that his morality has nothing to do with his job. Athletes are not naturally role models like politicians are supposed to be. They have been made that way over time due to the increasing popularity of sports and simple-minded people's curiosity into the lives of their idols. All of this shit is irrelevant to me and should be irrelevant to those who are not involved and don't feel the need for a "role model" in their lives. Marital infidelity is a private matter. We shouldn't have ever even heard about this. We shouldn't be so overwhelmingly consumed with fascination for the intimate details of the private lives of what are supposed to be private figures. Athletes are only on display while they're performing their job, not when they're just living their lives. Well, that's how it's supposed to be.

Sure, what he did was a bad thing, and he should be regarded with respect to his actions. But to hyperbolically assert that he's somehow stunted the evolution of fidelity, to portray this as some kind of social terrorism is utterly ridiculous. He's a man who cheated on his wife and nothing more than that. Would it be preferable that he strive to portray himself in a positive light in his public function? Of course, but that doesn't mean that he has an obligation to do so.

 

[Thoth-Amon]

I don't care about what kind of "role" he has been assigned to society through media saturation. The fact of the matter is that his morality has nothing to do with his job. Athletes are not naturally role models like politicians are supposed to be. They have been made that way over time due to the increasing popularity of sports and simple-minded people's curiosity into the lives of their idols. All of this shit is irrelevant to me and should be irrelevant to those who are not involved and don't feel the need for a "role model" in their lives. Marital infidelity is a private matter. We shouldn't have ever even heard about this. We shouldn't be so overwhelmingly consumed with fascination for the intimate details of the private lives of what are supposed to be private figures. Athletes are only on display while they're performing their job, not when they're just living their lives. Well, that's how it's supposed to be.

Sure, what he did was a bad thing, and he should be regarded with respect to his actions. But to hyperbolically assert that he's somehow stunted the evolution of fidelity, to portray this as some kind of social terrorism is utterly ridiculous. He's a man who cheated on his wife and nothing more than that. Would it be preferable that he strive to portray himself in a positive light in his public function? Of course, but that doesn't mean that he has an obligation to do so.

This.

 

[Merloch]

Its just funny how human beings think we are so much more than other species. If you think about it, ignoring all the bullshit we believe, what is the one goal/purpose that we have when getting down to the basics? Reproducing. We just happen to have a more complex thought process than other beings so it gets tricky