Heart Broken by Tiger
December 2, 2009
It is hard when one discovers that a hero is human or just like everyone else. I hear about men and women cheating on their spouses all the time. I really think it is none of our business. However, with Tiger Woods, I cared whether or not it was true. I was heartbroken to hear that his indiscretions might be confirmed. Charles Barkley tells us that athletes shouldn’t be role models, parents should be their kids’ role models. What do you think?
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Lessons from an 80's Alumna 
I agree that athletes should not be held as role models, nor should they and other performers be so overpaid. It does appear though that Mrs. Woods is “old school” and not afraid to break some stuff to make her point.
Bettina,
I agree with Charles Barkley. I don’t want my children to put athletes (in particular) on a pedestal or anyone for that matter and loose perspective of the fact that no matter how accomplished someone is they are first and foremost human. As human beings were are all subject to the fragilities and challenges of life. More often than not the challenges in a marriage when you are not a celebrity are great, so I can only imagine that status, money and lack of privacy cause the normal (mis-steps; side-steps and moments of personal fragility) to become magnified.
Unfortunately, what we see in the presence of their success is not the real person that they are with those that they are closest to, and those with whom they can be “more real”. It is a misconception that anyone is above reproach and that someone in this life with whom you believed will not ever disappoint you.
The transgressions of a man against his wife should not be open for political debate, personal judgement or profound discussion amongst the many. “For a man shall leave thy mother and thy father and cleave to thy wife and the two shall become one” and as such, I truly believe that it is more a personal matter that must and only can be decided by the two people (and their children) who are most adversely or positively affected by whatever “they” decide.
At the end of the day, Tiger is a “man” who is an exceptional golfer for the world to admire, but he is still a man, and who he may or may not be sleeping with doesn’t make him any less of an exceptional golfer and if his wife can live or accept his trangression then I not making any judgements.
Clearly as a “former” wife, you never know what is going on between a couple in the privacy of their home or bedroom for that matter, and I have way to much going on in my life to worry because it’s not an issue that I believe affects anything other than the status quos desire to control what they have no business trying to regulate….LIFE.
Whatever Tiger has done, it’s between him and his family. He doesn’t need a “public option” to explain himself. Too many people that live in the public eye have been caught doing something that they shouldn’t have done – so have we. We all have the same thing in common – we’re all human and we make mistakes. We have other issues to be more concerned about. Tiger’s situation is his own and he has to deal with it. His personal life is none of our business. I’m not fond of the media going after him on this ‘story.’
I agree Bettina. This is disheartening to hear. I guess Tiger’s image has detached the fact that he is actually human and makes mistakes. I guess I held Tiger to an unrealistic pedestal. I expected better from him considering he has two children and his prestine image.
Tiger has fallen into the intoxication of fame and fortune. You just can’t have the illusion that what you do privately will not become public knowledge when you are a public figure or a celebrity. I feel sorry for Tiger, but he should have known better. Acting inappropriately is one thing. Getting caught by being arrogant and sloppy in your behavior is another. Violating your personal and family values is inexcusable. Next time be discreet and act privately. Then your business will truly be your own.
True. So true.
I just can’t put celebrities on pedestals. I admire talent, but having talent doesn’t mean a person lives a model life. I feel like our society tries to assume, or expects, that someone has everything going for them because they’re in the public eye. (i.e. – Why did people assume that just because Susan Boyle is not incredibly gorgeous that she wouldn’t have an incredible voice? No one has it all. Everyone has flaws, everyone has failures, everyone has shortcomings.) I do think elected officials should be held to a different standard than athletes, musicians, and actors; elected officials are employees of the public. Even then, though, I wouldn’t say that the way an elected official conducts his or her personal life necessarily reflects their ability to create and execute policy.
The most strange thing to me with this whole Tiger Woods incident is, I worked in TV news for ten years, and at every station I worked at we would never have covered a one-car accident (even if it was fatal). Having a celebrity involved does change the map a bit, but I really think this part of this Tiger Woods story has gotten way more media coverage than I think it deserves.
You’re right. My father is a golfer so we have followed Tiger as though he is a member of our own family. I had hoped he was different. I agree that this has gotten out of hand.
I’m gonna go on record (not the first time) of disagreeing with Mr. Barkley. I grew up in a day and time when athletes (or anyone at any level of success, business, academic, etc. in addition to athletics) were constantly cautioned of how we were role models since we were in the public eye. Charles Barkley could have chosen not to be a role model by choosing not to pursue an athletic career in the public view but since he did then he is. He is a role model whether he chooses to acknowledge that responsibility or not. He can not abdicate the responsibility that goes with the position. Sadly in his “I’m not a role model” mantra, he’s actually chosen to be a negative role model and enable others similarly to deny the impact of their degrading influence as well.
Truth is: we all are role models. Donne said “no man is an island,” and that principle lives to this day. Each of our lives affects others, to minor degrees and to major degrees. Those who are in positions to be admired need to live admirably. It’s that simple. No one is forcing you to accept millions of dollars for playing your sport. You can play pick-up games at the local gym and love the game just as much. However, when you accept the millions and step into the public arena then you have a responsibility to the public.
Now to balance that perspective, we don’t need to establish unrealistic expectations either. We need to extend the same grace to those in the public view as we would wish to receive in our more private lives. Still, I strongly disagree strongly with Barkley (and others) ostensibly trying to deny their influence with the “not a role model” mantra and attempt to justify a less than moral lifestyle which is an inherently negative pull upon the youth (and not so young) who inevitably admire them.
We always get caught up in cashflow and not character when calling people rolemodels.
We all have made mistakes and this is simply what he did! It’s redeemable… The sad thing is how he is being judged. How many pastors, deacons and married members of churches, people at work sleep with one another but still we pardon this… Why not tiger…. It’s not a big deal to me because we often forget we were young once and made mistakes. It was told to me the best lessons are bought lessons and this one is his….
It’s been my opinion for quite some time that people who cheat have a sense of entitlement that stems from a deeply ingrained selfishness. It doesn’t have anything to do with celebrity status, a neglectful spouse or any other situation. It’s a choice consciously made with no regard for the other in the relationship. I’m on the fence though about public disclosure though, because while on one hand it forces the cheater to face the music it also puts the cheatee in a tough spot. It’s not easy dealing with criticism on such a personal subject, and for the most part I think people should let those involved do what they feel is necessary.
I feel that often times people assume that being in the public eye means automatic role model. Who a child admires (for whatever reason) should be bolstered by an understanding of what traits are admirable – and that is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring and aspiring to various types of talent, but to assume that talent and public responsiblity go hand in hand is unrealistic in my opinion.
Pedestals aren’t fair for any person, as they leave a long way to fall.
I am disappointed, but not surprised. All of the groupies that hang around the ballers and players make it hard to not partake. I did think that Tiger was different, but no one knows when the doors are closed and the cameras are off. I would like for him to make a public apperance, speak to the issue and then try to begin the process of rebuilding his family. If he meant any of the press release, he and his wife will have a chance. But, if he is just paying lip service, then more things like this will happen in the future.
So, I read about the renegotiation and financial arrangements of Tiger and Wife. Not sure if the source is reliable. By looking at the marriage from a business perspective, I can get over the issue, quickly. It is not that I don’t think she deserves to share in his wealth, it just gives me a different perspective.