I guess it is time I write about Tiger Woods. I have waited since the scandal broke to see how things settled – not only with Tiger but also myself. Before I go any further I would like to say that I don’t know that Tiger had a bigger fan than I. I know he has a lot of fans but I have counted myself as one of his biggest admirers on and off the course – until now.
Don’t get me wrong – Tiger, I feel, is the greatest golfer in history and he plays the game with a fearless focus that translates sports. My son and I got to witness him first hand a few months ago here at the President’s Cup when it came to San Francisco. His charisma and talent were amazing. (I even wrote about that experience in a previous post if you want to check out the lessons we learned from this amazing experience)
Tiger’s image has been obviously carefully created to showcase him as the focused golfing warrior, consummate professional, philanthropist, and devoted family man. Currently Tiger is being skewered in the media as his approval rating has taken the fastest freefall in history. Tiger has not been available for comment as he has gone into seclusion to, I believe, gather his thoughts, regroup, and come back more positive than ever.
At this time it doesn’t look like a reconciliation with his wife is going to happen, and I for one, can’t blame her and I know that I would do the same in her shoes. What I want us to be mindful of are a few things.
1. EMPATHY – None of us have walked in Tiger’s shoes. Before we throw him completely to the wolves let us stop and understand that he has women and people throwing themselves at him all the time vying for his attention. I’m not condoning his choice of actions at all – I’m just saying before you harshly judge, back up and re-evaluate from a broader perspective.
2. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS – Many of Tiger’s corporate sponsors are leaving him. This too, I can understand as Tiger’s image was what they were buying and having a scandal such as this come out destroys the image. Do I feel sorry for Tiger for losing the tens of millions in endorsements? No… not at all as trust me, Tiger will NEVER hurt for money.
3. REPUTATION WITH FANS – This has yet to play out. I do not know how the masses will react to Tiger. I don’t know how golf will really react to Tiger as everyone in the golf world is trying to put a positive spin on it and saying golf won’t suffer and things will be just fine. I hope so although I am not sure golf’s image will escape unscathed.
4. TIGER, THE MAN – I am a fan of Tiger Woods, the golfer. I am fan of Tiger Woods, the philanthropist. I am a fan of Tiger Woods, the locker room humor, fun guy to hang out with, and spokesman for golf. I am just not a fan of Tiger Woods the Husband and Father. While some may argue that him being a father has nothing to do with this scandal, I politely disagree. His kids will know of his philandering ways. This will affect them in some ways. Will they turn out to be “goofy” kids and adults? I hope and pray not.
I work with some young adults who totally surprised me in their support of not Tiger Woods the golfer, but Tiger Woods the philanderer. These young men, although involved in a relationship with women, many of whom have kids by these women, feel Tiger should go out and get all the ladies he can.
This blew me away!
They even responded that it was in men’s nature to chase for sex.
I asked them, “Would you want your woman going out and having sex with a dozen guys?”
They looked at me, disgustedly and said, “Of course not.”
I then asked, “If some fine, young lady came up and propositioned you, even knowing you had a lady you lived with and young children, what would you do?”
The gentleman just smiled and said, “What the old-lady don’t know won’t hurt her.” He then laughed and gave his buddy a high-five.
I felt such sadness for this young man as he truly hasn’t figured out how to love someone. He truly hasn’t figured out how to love himself so how can he truly love his lady and his little baby? Not in the healthiest of ways anyway.
It is important that we honor the human being living his life as Tiger Woods. I, for one, believe he is not living his life to hurt a soul. I believe, like all of us, that he is in his mind, living the best life he can.
Has he made some painful decisions that will cost him money and loads of heartache? I believe so. Will he recover? I can only hope so.
I look forward to seeing what Tiger will say and do next and how he will conduct himself in the future. I also wonder what he will say to his kids, his best friends, his wife (or soon to be ex-wife) and Stevie Williams, his caddie?
Would I like to play golf with Tiger? Absolutely.
Would I like to take lessons in being a husband and a father? No.
I would ask that all of us who are hurt and angered by Tiger’s infidelity that suspend the crucifixion of Tiger indefinitely.
I would also ask that those who condone Tiger’s actions that you rethink what truly having a loving relationship is all about because if you agree with what Tiger did, you don’t have a clue about what real love is.
Tiger, I’m up for a round of golf, and an ear to listen to and someone to help you re-connect with the best part of yourself.
Will he call? I doubt it, but it doesn’t stop me from being a fan of the man in so many ways.
Just not all ways.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and always wishing you the best!
Ray