When Tiger Woods was trapped in the car after his accident recently, his wife Elin freed him by breaking out the rear window with a golf club. But it took her a half-hour.
First she had to call Tiger’s caddy Steve Williams to ask what club she should use!
(Rim-shot please.)
OK, I’m joking. And while most comedians are doing the same, much of the situation facing the world’s greatest golfer in the history of the game isn’t a laughing matter. Cheating on your wife doesn’t settle well with a lot of people.
Still, another real joke came when Tiger said he was seeking a “right to some simple, human measure of privacy.”
Sorry, Tiger. When you make millions of dollars by putting yourself in the public eye in golf and make even more money from endorsements, you don’t get a “simple, human measure of privacy.”
One of the recurring questions involving celebrities and politicians is: What is their right to privacy?
Once you become a public figure — which you become by participating in newsworthy events such as sports or by accepting a job in public office — you forsake the same right to privacy that other people may enjoy.
Even local people who run for political office thrust themselves into public status. So if a relative commits a crime, don’t be surprised when the news media links that person to the official.
That’s one of the unfortunate things about being a public figure — you drag your family into the equation. That’s why Elin Woods must face national embarrassment for the actions of her husband.
Obviously, there are plenty of people who cheat on their spouses. We hear whispers about them all the time. But naturally they don’t get the kind of scrutiny that a President Bill Clinton or Tiger Woods would receive.
Of course Clinton said he “did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Hey, define “sexual relations.”
Tiger hasn’t actually admitted it either. He claims he had “transgressions.” Hey, define “transgressions.”
Now everyone wonders what the backlash on Tiger will be. While he is respected as a golfer, he isn’t one of the most friendly guys with the fans.
He’s certainly no Phil Mickelson, who signs autographs for hours at tournaments and is a great family man. We all felt for his wife Amy when she underwent breast cancer treatment and we admired how Phil left the tour to be by her side.
Even a guy like John Daly, who has his faults, is still a likable guy. People will forgive a John Daly, but maybe not Tiger Woods.
So his future sponsorships may take a hit. But then again, just because you are a sports figure should you really be looked at as a role model? That’s always been a question.
I would look at Woods as a role model on how to prepare in sports to be a success. But a role model in life? No way.
The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this weekly column for the Opinion Page.
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