Tiger: By the Tale

As posted at Parcbench on 19 February 2010

The hour had come – 11am Eastern.

The focus was on a lone podium with an audience of family and friends, but no reporters.

I was stiffing my bias and the questions that whirled around my mind: Will Elin be there? Will he be contrite or combative? Will he walk out after his statement on the mend or a forever-broken man?

All this week, the media pondered and suggested that Tiger was going into this first public forum after months of stories of his affairs as a means to control the spin. I made mention on my Thursday show that the first post-rehab photo of Woods was with his trainer in full Nike regalia. As late as this morning, pics of his wife, Elin, showed her from head to toe in Swooshwear.

I feared that this was just media claptrap. Instead, he was alone. No logo, no suit, no flashbulbs. Just a man ready to take this first, and necessary step to apologize to a once-fawning public.

Virtually from the moment Tiger began his statement, I observed a man that had never before appeared before me. He was human, and while his statement was written, I believe it to be sincere. He humbly called out to his wife, to his children and to his family. He admitted he needed help. No longer was the chiseled god but a flawed person with troubles to which we could all relate.

His statement was not without scorn or disdain – but it was not a mechanism of self defense. Woods came out strongly against the media and their relentless pursuit of the salacious details of his torrid affairs. He warned those who stalked his wife and children to back off.

Tiger asked for understanding in the area of his foundation, citing all the good that has been done for children and young adults who have benefited from Woods dedication to opportunity for those less fortunate. Any personal transgression should not undo all the positive progress he represented for over a decade.

Woods also stated that the events leading up to his car accident this past Thanksgiving were between he and his wife. The road back to his family was personal and would not be on display for those eager to experience through vicarious eyes.

And rightfully so.

He made a statement that he would return to golf, perhaps not soon or this year, but he would be back. Other than a mention of a sponsor of an upcoming event, there were no ‘shout outs’ and high fives. Tiger said that he would continue his therapy and the personal healing necessary to normalize his life. In the end, even he couldn’t keep up with the enormous persona known as Tiger Woods Inc.

Woods concluded his message without fanfare and walked silently towards his mother. After a long embrace and a few more greetings, he left the room – quiet and alone.

Since his amateur days, I have always admired Tiger’s God-given ability. Today, I respect him for doing the right thing – and wish him luck.

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Michael Fidanza is the managing editor at Parcbench and the host of The Armchair Energist Show which can be seen weekdays on Livestream.com and heard on RFC Radio.