The Big Apology
Admittedly, I didn't watch Tiger Woods' big apology yesterday. Not because I don't care. Well, okay, I really don't care. In fact, I believe that I can, quite probably, predict how it went.
"I cheated on my wife"
- This is pretty standard stuff for a public confession. Nothing earthshattering. The whole world knew it already.
"I had multiple affairs"
- Again!? This would be stating the obvious. We've been reading about them forever.
And, the way I imagine it, it just gets more interesting from there.
. . .
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"I am sorry"
- Sorry for ... getting caught?!
- Chalk it up to cynicism, but I don't really think that anyone who gets busted is truly sorry for the cheating. They are, in my humble opinion, really really sorry that they got caught. The good old It-isn't-illegal-unless-you-get-caught mentality.
There are indications that his wife was figuring things out, long before she (the way I see it) went after him with a nine-iron. Did that slow him down or stop him? No.
Note to Tiger: When the missus starts checking your cell phone? The secret's out. Don't leave messages for the girlfriend. Start preparing for big trouble.
- Chalk it up to cynicism, but I don't really think that anyone who gets busted is truly sorry for the cheating. They are, in my humble opinion, really really sorry that they got caught. The good old It-isn't-illegal-unless-you-get-caught mentality.
"I will never do it again"
- Never do what again? My Guess? Get caught.
- Although, this time around, Tiger's handlers and toadies (and the sports press) may be less likely to throw cash at the situation and look the other way. It reflects badly on everyone who knew about the affairs and did or said nothing.
Bottom line? I question the 'addiction' portion of the mea culpa. To me, it's more about power and immunity. This man was in a position of immense power in the sports world.
He was the hero who could have and do anything he wanted. So he did. "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
- Although, this time around, Tiger's handlers and toadies (and the sports press) may be less likely to throw cash at the situation and look the other way. It reflects badly on everyone who knew about the affairs and did or said nothing.
There is, however, a bottom line that I hope people remember. This was a private problem - between a man and his wife - that, under any other circumstances, would have stayed that way. Should have stayed that way.
Yes, Tiger Woods is a public figure and role model. His behavior is expected to be above reproach. He's also human, fallible, and - apparently - more image than substance.
