Once again, the sports world has been reeling the past couple of weeks regarding a professional athlete and his off the course problems. This just happened to be all about the #1 athlete in the world, Tiger Woods.
We all tend to put professional athletes on a pedestal as our heroes. They play the game, break records and their life is great in our eyes. Tiger can go no where and not be recognized. His family is followed daily and nothing they do goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, that is what happens when you are a multi-millionaire and have changed the game of golf for years to come.
For a long time Tiger has been unbeatable. When he plays all other golfers buckle when they come close. He intimidates all. When he is playing at his best, no one can catch him, until this year. Yes, he was the player of the year, but he showed a kink in the amour when he did not win when he should have.
As soon as you show a weakness, your competitors will show up and knock you out of the winners circle. What was Tiger’s weakness this year? Was it his off the course antics or just others getting better?
We all thought this year would be his toughest. He recovered from major knee surgery and won the first tournament he played in. But Tiger will have to play the toughest tournament of his career, his next one.
So what? That is what my church asks us every week at the end of the service. What I have learned from this is none of us are perfect, even Tiger Woods. I still must teach every junior golfer that the rules of golf are there to help you not to hurt you. I tell them I do not want to see them throw clubs or use profanity. I tell them daily to shake hands with their competitors and wish them the best when they play and congratulate them when they win. Golf teaches honor and respect to both your competitors and the course. And through golf you can take these same values and live by them off the course.
So we can watch our favorite golfers on TV play a game and respect them for what they can do on the golf course. And remember, they are just golfers, people like you and me who hit great shots and hit lousy shots. But it is ultimately how we act that will be remembered by all.
Posted on Monday December 7, 2009 in Tour News | Make a Comment (19)
Comments
1. Gaylon Hill on December 8, 2009 @ 11:27 AM
Thanks, Nancy."
2. Jim Taylor on December 8, 2009 @ 11:28 AM
3. Shirley Boswinkle on December 8, 2009 @ 11:42 AM
4. Helen Burrus on December 8, 2009 @ 11:51 AM
5. Sandy Wolverton on December 8, 2009 @ 11:58 AM
6. Michael Hyatt on December 8, 2009 @ 12:10 PM
7. Scudder Graybeal on December 8, 2009 @ 12:11 PM
8. Fred Crean on December 8, 2009 @ 12:13 PM
As usual, like a proper grip and stance, you have it right.
That said I'd like to add a thought about celebrities and the media. Remember the Pac Man Jones mess? It, too, got national exposure. But it ultimately took a quick back seat as soon as Michael Vick’s dog fighting activities hit the news. The Vick story took a back seat to whatever came along next. And so it goes.
Now, despite all the awareness and negative publicity, Vick is back in the NFL; and no one cares where Mr. Jones has gone. But whether people like(d) Vick or Jones, their activities were criminal — not domestic. To my mind that makes the allegations about the Woods household all the more questionable.
Maybe "he did"... Maybe he "didn't”... Maybe she beat him with a golf club, maybe she didn’t.
It’s likely we’ll never know what really happened. Moreover, much of what we do “know” is either here say or could well have been “planted.”
Despite his possible extra-marital activities (if they are true), it seems it’s at least somewhat possible that Elin beat him with a golf club and on the night of the accident he was simply trying to escape from his own home. Maybe it wasn’t the first time blows were struck in their household, by him or by her. Either way, it’s sad and we all feel very bad for both of them.
In today’s environment, for celebrities, time and distance are essential. The press just needs to find another story and Tiger should continue to follow the recommendations of his advisory team, whether spiritual, legal, public relations or “corporate.”
Few people actively remember that Freddy Couples was in a bad marriage at one point. He got out of it and now lives a much happier life. How and why is not our business. It’s behind him. Greg Norman won and lost tournaments, both with international exposure. He also recently married and separated from Chris Evert.
As you noted, the public will focus on the truth of a person’s underlying character. Fred is still Fred. Greg is still Greg. And, they are possibly two of the greatest and most popular “sportsmen” in the game of golf.
When all is said and done, we can only hope that Tiger will still be Tiger.
Hat’s off to your comments! And let’s all wait to see who the paparazzi will jump on next."
9. Amy Lee on December 8, 2009 @ 12:13 PM
10. AMS on December 8, 2009 @ 12:42 PM
I am amazed at the almost "free pass" attitude that many people give to Tiger, even on the above comments. It makes ZERO difference that he is a celebrity when it comes right down to it. Tiger is a grown man, a husband and a father. Have people really thought about the fact that he has obviously had sex with at least TEN other women while he has been married? He has had sex with at least one in his and his wife's own home? And the worst, he was having sex with at least one woman while his wife was pregnant? I don't care what your upbringing, your celebrity status, the pressure, etc etc...there is absolutely no excuse or justification for what he did. "Tiger is human"...that's just a cop-out."
11. Bj on December 8, 2009 @ 2:09 PM
12. DJ on December 8, 2009 @ 4:33 PM
13. Patty Sue on December 8, 2009 @ 7:45 PM
14. Don Evans on December 8, 2009 @ 8:53 PM
15. Mike Booth on December 8, 2009 @ 9:42 PM
16. Tammy on December 8, 2009 @ 11:01 PM
17. J. V. Rush on December 9, 2009 @ 8:19 AM
18. Don Johnson on December 9, 2009 @ 10:02 AM
On off or off the course, carma will be there to make sure you are treated right. (or wrong) You get what you give and sometimes it comes back to bight you in the ass. I've enjoyed watching Tiger play and understand we are all humon, but loyalty should fall to all. Being a husband, I am my wifes servant first, she is the greatest part of me. (I have nine kids) I know what real love is. We are as in love as the day we fell in love.
Carma comes back,
Don Johnson"
19. DJ on December 11, 2009 @ 7:34 PM
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