A Bad Precedent
Tiger Woods is in my town today. And if not today, then by tonight, he will. The first AT&T National golf tournament, to benefit Tiger's foundation, is being held in Bethesda, Maryland through July 7. All the golfniks in town are in a tizzy and Tiger's been on the front page of the sports section from the last few days.
Now, I want to phrase this next point correctly, without room for misinterpretation or room for error: Tiger Woods may be a gigantic ass who has set a dangerous precedent in his marriage and as a father. Yeah, that came out right.
Listen, I'm as judgmental as the next guy. I cast stones, I do. I, admittedly, am reacting viciously to media reports and television updates. But this is what I have learned in the past 24 hours.
Tiger's wife, Elin, was admitted to the hospital on the eve of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Tiger participated in said golf tournament while his wife was in the hospital with "non-life threatening" conditions. Tiger finished second in the U.S. Open, working four consecutive days while his wife was in the hospital experiencing complications preceding the birth of their first child. Tiger arrived at the hospital in time to witness his daughter's birth by C-section at 1:30 in the morning on Monday.
Let's cut out the chaff and bullshit of the previous paragraph. Tiger Woods' eight-month pregnant wife is admitted to the hospital on a Wednesday. Thursday morning, Tiger goes to work 1,500 miles away, spending four days away from his wife. Tiger shows up on Sunday night and his wife has a C-section.
You could call that good timing, I call it a bad precedent.
Tiger, if there is one thing that I have learned over the past seven months, is it that your priorities are no longer what they were. And never will be again. Think of your wife and daughter as "heatseekers" on the Billboard chart of your like. Coming out of nowhere, these two have vaulted over chart mainstays like Cadillac and AT&T to the number one and two positions where they will remain. Forever.
I do not doubt that Tiger and Elin had many conversations about his participation in the U.S. Open. I am sure that all factors were considered - from sponsorship obligations to media perception. And, according to this article, Elin encouraged Tiger to "go get a 'W'" and she could wait to deliver. But Tiger, guess what? She didn't mean it. And you should know better.
No doubt the doctors told Tiger and Elin that she was in no imminent danger and that she could wait four or five days before a C-section was necessary. But this isn't like the weekend before a wedding. You can't go out and play golf for four days while your wife is laid up in the hospital, eight months pregnant.
Tiger Woods has more money than Richie Rich, controls his media like he lives in Soviet Russia, and commands more attention than the drunk sorority girl who "forgets" to put underwear on before her formal. And now, he is completely owned by his wife. Elin has this on you now, Tiger, and she will likely never let you forget it.
Over time, as little Sam grows older, the story will mutate. Sure, it will start with "daddy went to work while mommy was in the hospital," but that will soon change. Eventually, daddy will have sent mommy in a cab to the hospital, while daddy flew to Oakmont via Vegas, drinking and carousing before blowing his shot to win a major tournament on the inspiration of his daughter.
The Tiger Woods Foundation does tremendous work. The man and his charitable organization are responsible for some admirable philanthropic efforts across the country. But charity, as they say, begins at home. And Tiger has set a bad precedent. Control access and the media all you want, Mr. Woods, but this is going to be hard to spin in your favor.
Now, I want to phrase this next point correctly, without room for misinterpretation or room for error: Tiger Woods may be a gigantic ass who has set a dangerous precedent in his marriage and as a father. Yeah, that came out right.
Listen, I'm as judgmental as the next guy. I cast stones, I do. I, admittedly, am reacting viciously to media reports and television updates. But this is what I have learned in the past 24 hours.
Tiger's wife, Elin, was admitted to the hospital on the eve of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Tiger participated in said golf tournament while his wife was in the hospital with "non-life threatening" conditions. Tiger finished second in the U.S. Open, working four consecutive days while his wife was in the hospital experiencing complications preceding the birth of their first child. Tiger arrived at the hospital in time to witness his daughter's birth by C-section at 1:30 in the morning on Monday.
Let's cut out the chaff and bullshit of the previous paragraph. Tiger Woods' eight-month pregnant wife is admitted to the hospital on a Wednesday. Thursday morning, Tiger goes to work 1,500 miles away, spending four days away from his wife. Tiger shows up on Sunday night and his wife has a C-section.
You could call that good timing, I call it a bad precedent.
Tiger, if there is one thing that I have learned over the past seven months, is it that your priorities are no longer what they were. And never will be again. Think of your wife and daughter as "heatseekers" on the Billboard chart of your like. Coming out of nowhere, these two have vaulted over chart mainstays like Cadillac and AT&T to the number one and two positions where they will remain. Forever.
I do not doubt that Tiger and Elin had many conversations about his participation in the U.S. Open. I am sure that all factors were considered - from sponsorship obligations to media perception. And, according to this article, Elin encouraged Tiger to "go get a 'W'" and she could wait to deliver. But Tiger, guess what? She didn't mean it. And you should know better.
No doubt the doctors told Tiger and Elin that she was in no imminent danger and that she could wait four or five days before a C-section was necessary. But this isn't like the weekend before a wedding. You can't go out and play golf for four days while your wife is laid up in the hospital, eight months pregnant.
Tiger Woods has more money than Richie Rich, controls his media like he lives in Soviet Russia, and commands more attention than the drunk sorority girl who "forgets" to put underwear on before her formal. And now, he is completely owned by his wife. Elin has this on you now, Tiger, and she will likely never let you forget it.
Over time, as little Sam grows older, the story will mutate. Sure, it will start with "daddy went to work while mommy was in the hospital," but that will soon change. Eventually, daddy will have sent mommy in a cab to the hospital, while daddy flew to Oakmont via Vegas, drinking and carousing before blowing his shot to win a major tournament on the inspiration of his daughter.
The Tiger Woods Foundation does tremendous work. The man and his charitable organization are responsible for some admirable philanthropic efforts across the country. But charity, as they say, begins at home. And Tiger has set a bad precedent. Control access and the media all you want, Mr. Woods, but this is going to be hard to spin in your favor.
Labels: Celebrity Fathers
Delivered by SteveJeltzFan. Born on 7/04/2007 09:25:00 AM PERMALINK
2 Comments:
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How you find ideas for articles, I am always lack of new ideas for articles. Some tips would be great
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