Tiger Woods: He Is Human After All

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

"Excellent commentary on Tiger Woods and the integrity of golf.
Thanks, Nancy."

2. Jim Taylor on December 8, 2009 @ 11:28 AM

"Thanks Nancy for putting it all in perspective. I sometimes lose sight of the "big picture." And it's good to be reminded. Thanks for your article, for the wonderful seeds for thought and for the reminder of honor, respect & values."

3. Shirley Boswinkle on December 8, 2009 @ 11:42 AM

"Yes I agree, Tiger is a great golfer, and did change the game and how people look at it. However, I have been appalled by his 'on camera' behavior. Yes he is very intense when he plays, but his pounding clubs on the ground or cursing when he makes bad shots, is out of control. Every young child interested in golf, looks up to Tiger, and as of late, he has hardly been a good role model. I hope he can find his way to be the person that someone in his position should strive to be. I have always been proud of the fact that the game I love and play often, is considered to be a gentleman's sport, with our top golfers conducting themselves in a very honorable way on the course, and hopefully off the course."

4. Helen Burrus on December 8, 2009 @ 11:51 AM

"Great article! I also believe people need to spend valuable time taking care of their own issues instead of delving into celebrities' lives."

5. Sandy Wolverton on December 8, 2009 @ 11:58 AM

"Thanks you Nancy, for a tasteful commentary. Thank you as well, for instilling integrity in our junior golfers...the future Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelsons, Annika Sorenstams, Paula Creamers, etc...the future of the great game of golf."

6. Michael Hyatt on December 8, 2009 @ 12:10 PM

"Nancy, I couldn't agree more. I am disappointed in Tiger, but all of us struggle with our weaknesses. Fame is difficult for anyone to handle. Best to you!"

7. Scudder Graybeal on December 8, 2009 @ 12:11 PM

"Patrick Leahy's new range at The Villages has been delayed until mid January I think. They talk about two LPGA pros coming down and working there. Is it you and Rita?"

8. Fred Crean on December 8, 2009 @ 12:13 PM

"Nancy,

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

"That was a great article! You are right Tiger Woods is human and he makes mistakes. Granted his mistakes are shown in front of the world. If this was the man who lived next door no one would think twice about it except for those he was close to. Is his behavior appropriate? No, but a lot of people have inappropriate behavior. What is that great saying; let he who has not sinned cast the first stone. You made an excellent point!"

10. AMS on December 8, 2009 @ 12:42 PM

"Nancy,

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

"The last wedding I attended, the vows still promised to be true to your spouse. Tiger broke those vows apparently soon after he made them. I don't give him an out on that."

12. DJ on December 8, 2009 @ 4:33 PM

"I suspect the level of public "infatuation" with this apparent sordid mess is due to the "Mr. Clean" corporate image promulgated by Mr. Woods' marketing team. Exceeding care had been devoted to this public image. Many millions of dollars can no doubt be accessed for the purpose of damage containment and image restoration. More important than the corporate repair will be the healing of devastated family members. Yes, Tiger Woods is only human. Let's all hope he can manage to become a better example of the species."

13. Patty Sue on December 8, 2009 @ 7:45 PM

"Nancy, what a good article. Tiger has messed up and his biggest and toughest punishment will be that 1st public appearance. I must say though that having an affair (or several) is one thing but using your own home is beyond my comprehension."

14. Don Evans on December 8, 2009 @ 8:53 PM

"Tiger Woods took golf to a new level. I,like millions of others, have enjoyed watching him compete. Anger arises when I hear him use profanity on the course with a national audience. His latest personal life escapades has damaged his image and he will never regain it back. I will be rooting for Phil and all his competition in the future."

15. Mike Booth on December 8, 2009 @ 9:42 PM

"They say the toughest shot in golf is the one after a shank. For Tiger, the toughest tournament will be the one after he shanked his image of perfection."

16. Tammy on December 8, 2009 @ 11:01 PM

"He is human and a very good golfer, but right now, he is a terrible husband and role model. I know that has no bearing on his athletic abilities. We just need to say out loud, "kids, we love the guy, but he was behaving very, very badly.""

17. J. V. Rush on December 9, 2009 @ 8:19 AM

"Tiger's action has not damaged the game.He just damaged the image of a great player of the game."

18. Don Johnson on December 9, 2009 @ 10:02 AM

"Nancy,
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

"A few minutes ago NBC news reported that Mr. Woods has announced an indefinite hiatus from Tour Golf. Sadly I hope it is a looooooong time. Too bad for the industry that built up around him and too bad for the many he hurt. Like so many I was huge fan upon his arrival but my zeal withered as his behavior kept sinking to new lows. And now this. Good riddance I hope."

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