Oh Tiger, where did your privacy go? It seems fitting that a swing of the golf club may have helped start us down this twisted road of public scrutiny. No one believes more strongly than I that you and your family deserve privacy. And Tiger, to be sure, we gave you enough privacy to entertain women around the world with nary a word being uttered or printed. We aren’t sure if it was woman number one, five or ten who enraged your wife sufficiently to chase you down the driveway. But, we now know for certain that this was not a one-time indiscretion on your part.
How did all of this morally repulsive behavior happen? The usual way it seems. Long term adoration reliably leads to an addiction to being worshipped. And, I can’t be sure that everyone’s marriage is just like mine, but I do know that the word “adoration” does not come to mind when I think of long term spousal commitment. What does come to mind is loyalty, and dependability, and moral character, and honesty comes to mind; and respect, and now that I think about it shared values.
I don’t have a whole lot of hero worship in me. Maybe because of this “short coming”, I have always talked to my kids about the great athletes and artists or others that they may put on a pedestal. There is nothing wrong with respecting the accomplishments of others, but that respect needs to be kept on the level of the accomplishment. I don’t think anyone who knows Tiger Woods’ talent has said “I want to play basketball like Tiger Woods someday” or “I want to play piano like Tiger Woods someday”. It would however be appropriate for a young person to think “I would like to golf like Tiger “or “I would like to represent myself as well as Tiger does in front of the media”. So if you want to be a basketball player or piano player or great husband or father or mother or insert your own subject matter; then Tiger Woods was never the right person to look up to or idolize. Better it be someone who demonstratably fits the mold.
Tiger Woods ultimately was caught in the same trap that many other superstars have found themselves caught in. When one is worshipped for their talent, especially physical talent from a young age; he tends to become addicted to that feeling.
All of this seems so obvious in retrospect.
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