the mighty fall

What do we do about Tiger Woods?

Many an apologist have jumped in his defense by pointing out either the shortcomings of others, the fact that this has nothing to do with golf, or some other asinine justification. The bottom line is, there is no way his actions can be justified.

I get that others have committed similar indescretions. I get that no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. I agree that he needs help and I hope, for the sake of his family, his children, and his person that he can get help. The problem I have with this is twofold.

First, just because we all are not perfect does not excuse what he did. He has trampled on his wife and family. He has betrayed Elin's trust. He has let his children down. Forget the fans that he alienated or the prize and endorsement money he stands to lose. None of that will measure up to the emptiness he will feel when he figures out how precious a thing his family was and how stupid he was to do this.

Second, he profited from the image that he cultivated. He profited from his "righteousness" and "wholesomeness." We have been sold a bag of empty goods and it is wrong.

I agree more and more with Charles Barkley when he proclaimed that athletes are not role models. Our role models should be our parents. But what does Mr. Barkely have to say to Tiger's children? How can Tiger be their role model? Heaven forbid that Sir Charles might have to step into that role.

I think many find themselves in an awkward position of "he deserves his privacy" and "he needs to publicly defend himself or acknowledge his guilt" and there is no easy answer to this. Ultimately, Tiger is what we the public have made him to be. Now he has failed that image and many want answers. The only people he has to answer to is his family, and I feel for them right now. We should be less concerned with his public announcement and more concerned about a) his poor family, and b) what we can learn from this.

I think the lesson is to cherish your family. It is precious. It is more valuable than anything. And it should be fiercely defended.