Tiger Woods (AP Photo/Matt York)
After three months of silence, Tiger Woods gave a well crafted and wooden speech on February 19, 2010, as his public apology for his lies and illicit affairs.
The public statement became so highly anticipated, that many Internet news outlets, as well as Hulu and YouTube, live-streamed the press conference for the information-hungry viewers. Not all accredited media were allowed, causing a boycott by the American Golf Writers and questions were forbidden.
In a one-sided media event geared toward regaining waning popularity, the number-one-ranked golfer admitted his selfishness, feelings of entitlement and irresponsibility toward his business partners, wife and fans. He denied any domestic violence by his wife Elin, who was notably absent from the press conference. He scolded the press for hounding his family and said he was going back to his Buddhism faith.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem paved the way for Woods' address to the public, by acknowledging that Woods has been undergoing rehabilitation for a sexual addiction, and will continue doing so. Many claim that his excuse of sexual addiction is just that, an excuse to help him win back the public's affections and his dwindling endorsements. Even among therapists, the consensus regarding true sexual addiction is divided. Scott Lilienfeld, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Emory University revealed,
Sex addiction is one of those pop psychology diagnoses that has scant scientific support. It's not at all clear whether the term explains, rather than merely describes, people's sexual behaviors. At this point, it seems to be the latter: when we hear that someone has a 'diagnosis' of sex addiction, we haven't really learned anything new. We've merely applied a label summarizing what we already knew—basically that the person has serious trouble containing his or her sexual impulses."
For the most part, fans are ready and willing to embrace Woods, and want him back on the golf course, while the female gender is not as ready to believe that entitlement, egotism and selfishness can be explained away with an easy excuse.
Only time will tell if Woods' speech had the intended result of creating for him the persona of a victim. If so, the public will rally behind him, he will regain their support and also retain the endorsements of Nike, Pepsi and Electronic Arts.
Take a look at what fellow golfers have to say about Tiger Woodsand then view his statement.
If you enjoyed this article, you may be interested in reading:
- Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods' Swedish home is not what you would expect (photos)
- Elin Nordegren: Her story and why the public cares (video & slideshow)
- Tiger Woods and his numerous affairs - how will it end?
- Wanda Sykes' irreverent version of the Tiger Woods incident (video)
- Tiger Woods quits golf indefinitely (video)
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Comments
I have to be honest and say I could care less about Tiger Woods.
I'm like his wife...time will tell and words will not show. I do wish the media would leave his wife and children out of it. When my 1st husband was unfaithful, it was hard enough...Can't imagine having it scattered by the wind! :(
I would have loved it if it took a note from Hugh Grant's page and went on a late night talk show, told people he messed up, and moved on. To apologize three months later is ridiculous.
And Tiger said...Blah blah blah blah...I'm happy his wife was not hanging off his arm next to him at the podium like many politians in the past who have admitted similar wrong-doing. Sex addiction - O.K., and I'm addicted to chocolate! It doesn't make it right for me to hurt someone to get to my chocolate, going to chocolate rehab won't make it better for those hurt.
Tiger lied to his wife and the world without batting an eye lash, so reading a written appology (written by his handlers no doubt) is nothing more than another lie and a huge joke. Why on earth would ANYONE believe ANYTHING this creep says.
I gotta say I'm with Tom on this one. He's a GOLFER people! He's not elected, he does not represent the public...he GOLFS!! I heard the statement and I think his kids should be protected. Ya just don't go there. Kids should be automatically off limits. I like Tere's chocolate comparison. I think there are times when I would toss my family from a moving car for chocolate at times!! ;) It would have to be really GOOD chocolate- IMPORTED chocolate!
It seems the efficacy of the apology is if it becomes a wake up call to those who are being unfaithful or have been or are contemplating it.
I don't think Tiger owes the public anything. His wife and family YES but him not really. How is he getting more bad press that frigging John Edwards??
Can I barf now?
Yep.. me too Tom.. Watching golf on TV is the opposite of fun in my opinion!
At least he admitted he thought (thinks?) he doesn't have to obey society's social laws and that he felt entitled to be an a*****e. That made the apology somewhat worthwhile. Otherwise there was really no reason to hold a press conference to speak what he's already written--and what we know he doesn't mean. People are only sorry *after* they get caught and even then it's being sorry for getting caught, not sorry for whatever they did.
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