Tiger Woods' Car Accident or Golf Club Whipping: Why the Rumors Keep Swirling
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
" It is the little fox that spoils the vine."
The vine in this case is Tiger Woods' status as a living golf legend. The little fox is Tiger Woods' single-car accident that took place at the odd hour of 2:25 AM.
That time on the clock is what has generated all the suspicions. The police immediately ruled out alcohol, but Tiger refuses to speak to the police further.
On his website he wrote, " This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again. This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible."
Does this sound familiar? Didn't Kobe Bryant, the NBA star, try to play the privacy card when news of his hotel joint got out?
That never quite gets it done.
The public that has admired your charismatic golfing style now wants to know what went down with their super star.
OK, we believe the police that you were not drunk. But that won't nip the rumors, as long as Tiger keeps playing the privacy card. The rumors are swirling like a whirlpool.
'Was Elin chasing you out of the house with a golf club? Had you guys been arguing about an alleged affair? Did Elin beat you with a golf club? Was there even an accident at all, or did Elin smash the car to cover up for the bruises she inflicted on you during the fight?'
Much of the speculation centers on Rachel Uchitel, who is rumored to be Tiger's side squeeze. But the 34-year-old divorcee denies a sexual relations with Tiger.
"This is nothing to do with me. We have never had an affair, and the claims we did are completely false. "We have never talked on the phone or sent any type of text, sexy or not. I am really upset about it because I am being portrayed as a homewrecker, when it simply isn't true."*
Whatever the truth is, this incident reminds us once again of the inseparable link between talent and character, between performance and integrity. Despite the rise of moral relativism, the importance of moral behavior still trumps performance and talent.
If Tiger thinks his legendary status exempts him from a public probe, he needs to have a talk with other tainted celebrities like Michael Vick, Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and former President Bill Clinton. When the character bubble bursts, no public figure has been able to successfully duck behind the wall of privacy.
The fame that transforms one into a larger-than-life celebrity also turns that person's character mirror into a public spectacle. So, while blind, die-hard Tiger fanatics will buy the private-matter weasel, most people dare to challenge Tiger's ego: "Come clean, young man! Tell the truth. What caused you to crash into your neighbor's tree at 2:25 AM, if it was indeed a car crash? You are not above questioning..."
Like the other stained celebrities before him, Tiger will stop the rumormongering when he breaks his silence and reveals the circumstances surrounding his wee-hour crash. Then more people will accept his humble humanity. Once the public knows Tiger is not hiding something, they will understand that Tiger is just another fallible and flawed celebrity. Before now, Tiger, the first billionaire athlete has remained spot-free; from this time forward he will be like a real tiger...spotted or striped.
* Source: Quoting Rachel via Asian News International and India Daily
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I like Tiger, yet he is obviously hiding something. Perception is reality in celebrity status, and he decries the rumors yet refuses to quell them. Either he likes this kind of attention or he is seriously experiencing a disconnect with reality. I truly hope he comes clean, yet with all celebrities I am not holding my breath. Nicely done.You're right, Michael. Often the words "celebrity" and "reality" don't seem to connect. ~mogama~
All I can say is that it certainly is annoying being a celebrity. And to think when I was younger I longed to be a famous athlete or rock musician. No thanks! I say if he doesn't want to say anything to keep his cards close to his chest regarding his private life--regardless of what happened--the more power to him. He didn't sign a contract with the public swearing allegiance to its desires. Personally, I could care less about what any celebrity does in his / her spare time and avoid this news like the plague. I've got my own worries. I think of the times I've smashed cars with embarrassing reasons and I say "Hey, Tiger. Do as you may. You've got my support." Keep the jackals at bay!I understand that view too, but I think it's inconsistent when one depends on the public to gain fame and fortune, then despises the public when it's accountability time. ~mogama~Well, I think being an athlete he's not like an entertainer who is more connected to the media and public. And I'm not sure, really, where we get this idea that we the public are entitled to knowing the personal business of the famous. Not sure where that came from, but I find little validity to it. Why can't they have their privacy? Do they need to be treated like fish in a bowl, animals in a paparazzi cage just for our amusement. Sorry, I don't think so.
I say if you're gonna play you've gotta pay! No matter who you are...public scrutiny comes with the celebrity territory.A thoughtful and well written article!KarlaThat's right, "no matter who you are...", the public can expect answers if you've become a public figure. Tiger will find out that the truth will get out, even if it has to leak out. ~mogama~Yes, it may come with the territory, but those who desire privacy can't get it? Are celebs to be chased down and killed (Princess Diana) because we can't get our perverse fill of living vicariously through the lives of the rich and famous? I think the dark psychological underpinnings of such thinking need to be examined more than Tiger's personal life or anyone's life in the public eye. For some reason people think celebrities aren't human, are possessions, animals in a cage to be gawked at, chewed up and spit out by perverse public interest. Sad, really.
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