I'll say this:
We've all done things we're not proud of. I don't think anyone asks to be held up as a model of humanity or some kind of paragon of 'niceness' or perfection.
There is no doubt Tiger has made a shocking mistake/s. However, I'm still very impressed and respectful of him as a sportsman and there are still many aspects of his persona which appear very likeable.
As a member of the media, I'm often torn by my thoughts and emotions about what to write/say about people who have such a public falling from grace. I'm aware of the juicy, salacious nature of the story which presents itself and how much interest there is from the general public in such a story, which drives my instinct to publish/broadcast it, but as a person I'm also sympathetic to the needs of his family and the man himself to privacy. I'm also only too aware of my own failings.
As a person, it's clear he has 'issues' and he will need to work through those. But I find myself asking 'who are we to judge him'?, particularly when the full story is yet to emerge.
He's so successful, and has been held up as such as 'great guy' it's really just to easy too go to town on him now that he has stumbled. He's such an easy target, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. But it's tough because there are many things about Tiger Woods to like. And at times like these, the challenge is to try and keep the whole man in focus...rather than just the publically vilified cheater.
To be honest, I never really questioned the clean image he had. Now that it's been called into question, it's sort of a relief, actually. After all, who could be so 'perfect'?
He's probably more critical of himself right now than we will ever be. His sense of dignity and pride would be well and truly in the crapper.
I say let him work himself out and see if he can hold his family together....and then he can turn to us to ask for our understanding and forgiveness...if it's important to him.
But I won't be too upset if a full public apology is not forthcoming. There are too many of those anyway these days from insincere celebrities looking for a quick let off the hook.
Nor does he owe me one.
