Tiger Woods' statement addresses accident, rumors, not mistress allegations

Words of a Mensch
Tiger Woods denied the Florida State troopers for a third day and did not discuss his version of the events surrounding his Friday morning accident. Instead, Woods released a statement on his website that addresses the accident and rumors surrounding the circumstances of his private life at this time. Key in his message is a request that his family be given privacy. There was no mention of  rumors regarding Rachel Uchitel who denies having an affair with the golfer. Mr. Woods full statement is below.

What is emerging is a man who – regardless of any impropriety that may or may not have occurred – is behaving exactly as he should. Most specifically, in my Modern Love opinion, his are the words of a Mensch. Not that I am a ‘menshpert,’ only a student of what it means to act with dignity when the circumstances might incite something far more ugly. Many tigers would have scratched, if not mauled, by now. This one keeps his cool.

Instead, we see a husband taking full blame for the accident, shielding his wife, Elin, and family from curious eyes and suspicious minds. The events that lead up to this are not our business – they didn’t occur on the golf course – and he graciously reminds us of this. And while some might argue that silence is akin to admittance on the mistress front, Modern Love suggests that this is really the best way to deal with rumors of this nature. Let Rachel Uchitel do the denying (Rachel Uchitel 'no homewrecker'). That old adage, 'talking is silver, silence is golden,' is wisdom worth following when what is being said is dirt.

The louder he might roar in protest, the harder it would be for us to believe him anyway. Tiger is doing what he does best. He’s playing this out with the cunning of a man on top of his game, and for that he deserves respect, and our compliance. In this world where money is God to many, and those with wealth can buy anything and anyone (oh, we all have a price), he is showing that rare ability to draw the line. For that Modern Love humbly asks his permission to use this story and pass on an important message. A mensch may stumble from time to time, but they continue to get up and do what is right, even in the face of severe difficulties.

A few weeks ago, Modern Love wrote a column about celebrity men who are hotties with heart; how could I have forgotten Tiger?

Related column: Racism behind obsession with Tiger and Elin Woods' marriage, rumors
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