Tiger’s Two Big Issues
I have blasted Tiger on many occasions for his poor behavior on the golf course, offenses that now seem mild in comparison to two even larger issues. According David Smallwood, an addiction manager, Woods displays the behavior of a sex addict (not to mention a serial cheater). At this point, that’s a hard conclusion to dispute.
About those Pain Killers
It is also possible that Woods is addicted to pain killers. Woods mention he was taking them at the 2008 U.S. Open, though it remains unclear whether they were prescription drugs (such as Vicodin) or not. Jaimee Grubbs, mistress #2, says that he has, indeed, been taking Vicodin. And Elin Woods produced two bottles of pain killers for the paramedics the night of the accident. So, if Woods has been taking Vicodin for some time now, he might have been violating the PGA Tours drug policy, which prohibits the use of narcotics. You can imagine the can of worms that would open up.
Earl Woods’ Prophesy
Tiger’s dad said he would someday become a great leader and change the world. I say forget those lofty ambitions. It time for Tiger to pursue and achieve the more modest goal of changing himself.
Winning 19 Majors
Winning majors is never easy, even for Woods, and now it’s going to be a whole lot more difficult. Woods’ legendary concentration will be put to the test like never before. He could fall victim to hecklers in the gallery. And the other players know that he is, indeed, human, something they questioned for so long, as Joe Posnanski points out in SI.
Victims in the Woods Family
Just when Elin Woods thinks the worst is over, another mistress, and then another, pops out of the woodwork. The hurt and embarrassment she is feeling must be excruciating. And as for their marriage, it has disintegrated into a soulless business deal in which a settlement well into eight figures is supposed to provide the salve for the wounds Tiger has inflicted. Good luck on that working.
Children Sam and Charlie could be the biggest victims of all. In a few years they will learn the sordid truth about their celebrity dad – that’s the power of Google and school yards “pals.”
Friends Turning on Him
Jesper Parnevik and his wife Mia introduced Tiger to Elin. Now Jesper is hopping mad, wishes he hadn’t, saying he thought Woods was “a better man.” I could be next? I wonder how Mirka Federer, the devoted wife of the, as far as we know, always faithful Roger Federer, feels about her husband’s relationship with a serial cheater. Or Roger, for that matter.
Corporate Sponsors to Leave in Droves
At first it was cool for Woods’ sponsors to say that they were going to stand by their man. But as the list of documented mistresses is now a half dozen and climbing, and as the callous way in which he treated them, and his wife, is becoming increasingly clear, it is hard to imagine how they can spin this into a positive for their image and products. Woods has already been convicted by the Court of Public Opinion as I’m sure they are now aware, so the pressure on them to dump him will increase. It’s the right thing to do.
The list of those who should end their association with the image challenged Tiger ASAP includes Gillette (their slogan: the best a man can get), Tag Heuer, Accenture, and AT&T. Nike and Gatorade are likely stuck for a while with their unholy alliance with golf’s bad boy.
On the Tag Heuer web site, Woods says, “We all make decisions. But in the end our decisions define us. I’m Tiger Woods. And I share Tag Heuer’s values.” Let’s hope Tag Heuer doesn’t share his. And about those decisions …
RSS
3 responses so far ↓
1 BD // Dec 7, 2009 at 10:28 am
Tiger is looking worse and worse as every new day seems to bring another affair to light. Even so, it’s important to keep what has happened in the right perspective. The main thing, IMO, is not that he has been revealed as a serial adulterer. The American public doesn’t seem to have enormously high expectations when it comes to marital fidelity among the ranks of celebrities and politicians. Once all the ladies have finally come forward — which admittedly could take a while — I don’t see why Tiger shouldn’t be able to resume his public life more or less as it was before. If Ted Kennedy could do it, why not Tiger?
What matters more than the revelations of infidelity are the implications for Tiger’s erstwhile public persona. To put it bluntly, Tiger’s “old” public image is shot to hell. Whereas he used to personify discipline and a certain kind of rectitude, it’s now clear that he has lived a major portion of his life in a manner that can only be described as reckless and self-indulgent. Even those of us who are disinclined to make moral and personal judgments in response to these revelations still have to acknowledge the great discrepancy between Tiger’s public persona before the scandal hit and the picture that is now coming into focus.
Ultimately, what this means is that, as Tiger begins the next chapter of his life in the public eye, he needs to reintroduce himself to the world. He obviously can’t rely on a “golden boy” public persona that has now been shown to be false. He needs to present a credible image of himself to replace an image that is no longer credible. It is hoped that a “new” Tiger persona can be both authentic and appealing, although it’s possible that the more honest and forthcoming Tiger is, the less appealing he will seem to us.
Hopefully, Tiger can demonstrate sufficient genuine contrition and desire for self-improvement to EARN redemption in the public eye. Although the mere passage of time will obscure a lot of the damage that has been done, I hope for Tiger’s sake and for ours that he doesn’t rely solely on the public’s limited attention span to make things better. He should commit to rebuilding his reputation with the same energy and determination with which he rebuilt his golf swing. If he’s smart — which is now a debatable proposition — he will realize that this isn’t JUST a p.r. problem. While it’s true he needs to reinvent his public image, he also needs to reinvent himself. Reinventing himself represents the obviously greater challenge, but also a great opportunity, because if he can actually put himself back together again, from the inside, then his p.r. problems will take care of themselves.
2 Phil // Dec 7, 2009 at 10:39 am
BD
Bravo! That was a brilliant series of observations, full of insight, and solutions. In every adversity there is a great opportunity. Let’s hope he makes the most of this one.
3 BEMCEE // Dec 8, 2009 at 8:37 pm
It is a season of frenzy and everybody is treating Tiger as a serial killer.His friends have abandoned him and the fool JASPER Pernavick
needs to keep his mouth shut if he has nothing positive to say.He lacks wisdom and he lacks education. He has no business passing judgment on Tiger.I hope Tiger learns from this episode and know who his true friends are.If I had my way I would have advised Tiger not to marry at such a young age. From point of view successful athletes should not marry until their career starts wanning. In this way thay will avoid the sand trp layed by women of easy virtue who will always lay claim to victimhood for a consensual affair with a young athlete with raging hormones.I detest this.Kobe Bryant had to pay millions to get out of such snare.But the most stupid thing he had to pay his wife to stay. What kind of relationship do you have when you have to buy the affection of the person you consider closest to you.We all do it but not in this blatant fashion.
Tiger Woods has many options and he should exercise them. I have listed a few below.
If Tiger is fine with it I would prefer he sends Ellen Back to Jasper as his nanny.
It is very amusing to see how puritanistic America, is treating Tiger Woods as if he is a serial killer. Most galling was his friend Jasper pernevik whatever his name is.
Tiger does not owe any of his so called “friends” apologies. They are all hypocrites. When Tiger joined the PGA he did not say he was the Pope.It is well known among professional sports circles what happens when it comes to groupies. Let him without sin cast the first stone.
Tigers only mistake in this scenario, is that, his PR SUCKS. He should come out and confront his accusers who were paid handsomely to keep quiet but broke their silence, not out of morality ,but how much they stand to gain from this debacle.
Tiger needs friends and he needs honest advise.
1. Get rid of Jasper Pernavick .He is an Idiot who should keep his mouth shut.He is not a friend.
2.If your marriage cannot be made to work , rethink it.
3.As for the women coming out of the wood works with the the hope of getting paid. Stop all payment. They don’t deserve to be paid. They violated the secrecy you had with them. Confront them and be done with .They knew you were married.If you pay you will be blackmailed for life.
4.If the PGA is more interested in purience than your game just stop playing and move to Dubai and join the European tour.That tour needs a boost anyway.
I will repeat it again, you don’t owe any woman anything. You had a consensual relationship with them. The only person you owe apology to is your wife and if that is not enough try and move on. As a, fan you don’t owe me no apology because when I watch you play I don’t care who you sleep with, that is you and your wife’s business. America should grow up and realize that there are no saints in the NFL, NBA, or the PGA and other leagues in existence in the USA.
Leave a Comment