With smoking gun evidence now out about his affair with Jaimee Grubbs, Tiger Woods has released a statement from his personal website:
I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.
Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.
Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it’s difficult.
I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.
Before his corporate partners start getting misty, remember this statement was only released after there was irrefutable evidence that he was having an affair.
If he values privacy so much and wants to stick to his guns, why release anything? Because he’s damaging controlling his endorsement and image. You can’t have it both ways. This is what happens when you allow lawyers to dictate your actions.
His statement is also an indication that, perhaps, Nordegren is standing behind him - for now.
10:58 am on December 2nd, 2009
I guess people shouldn’t doubt the National Enquirer,
Yes they have been way wrong in the early 90’s but they are now 4 for 4 on nailing guys cheating, A rod, Howard sterns divorce ( they told him they knew about the divorce two weeks after it happened thats four months before he went public with it) John Edwards and NOW Tiger.
Howard Stern was right, If they really wanted to find Bin Laden give the National Enquirer 10 mil, and they would have him by Friday.
I guess Elin needs to read Dr Laura’s book proper car and feeding of men.
One chapter says’ women are like food.
If you (the wife) refuses to cook dinner the husband will eventually start to cook it himself, then ultimately get his food elsewhere before he comes home to you and your empty table.
11:03 am on December 2nd, 2009
Tiger Woods has problems and desires like everyone else. His celebrity status makes it nearly impossible for him to deal with these things privately. His marriage is in trouble, but if he can solve this and reconcile with this wife, it will all eventually blow away. They both need counseling and support. Women like Grubbs, who come forward in hopes of some limelight, or whatever her excuse is, shows us the true nature of her character. Woods should avoid her like the plague, because that is exactly what she is to him now.
11:19 am on December 2nd, 2009
Those who say “butt out, it’s a personal matter” need to consider how this guy has portrayed himself as a role model, worked hard to make himself a public figure, and has gladly taken money from people on that basis. He’s a liar, cheat, and a con artist. Would he have made $500M if everybody knew this in the first place - NO.
Look no further than John Daly… been a train wreck, but has always shown his warts and all, and deserves kudos for working to get it back together….
Big party tonight at Phil’s!
11:34 am on December 2nd, 2009
and while I’m on my f*ing high horse - what about his obligation to those who work(ed) for him as part of “Tiger, Inc.”. F**ked all those people big time too, and I guess he doesn’t feel any explanation to them is in order. Through no fault of their own, their livelihoods, reputations and working relationships have been put in jeopardy by a lying a**clown…..
That just pisses me off.
11:54 am on December 2nd, 2009
Woods comes off as defensive. This is barely an apology.
What transgressions? He admits to nothing.
12:35 pm on December 2nd, 2009
I must have missed the memo where we have a God given right to have Mr. Woods completely divulge his personal life.
I used to enjoy coming here for sports news… can we get back to that now?
12:52 pm on December 2nd, 2009
What kind of nerd wears a Nike polo shirt to a Vegas nightclub?
1:19 pm on December 2nd, 2009
Way to go, Brooks!
Mainstream media shied away from the Tiger stories because they’re scared of the Tiger-backlash..
You obviously worked hard on these stories and you were way ahead of the curve so kudos to you, my man.
1:19 pm on December 2nd, 2009
I agree with Tiger on his statement, not actions! People are making stupid statements as he has only made money due to his angel image and words. If this guy was a playboy, not married, and an alcoholic but still has 13 majors and wins almost every tournament he wins guess what…he would still be as rich and famous. His fame has nothing to due with his personal life and everything to do with his golf skills. He is not Mother Teresa and collecting his fame off his image but of his image as a golfer not a husband. If you don’t think this is true look at history’s famous people that cheat or have some vice. Ruth, JFK, DiMAggio, Ali, Daily, A-Rod, Clinton, Ted Kennedy, etc, etc, etc. And Brooks, your closing commentary is stupid. He let a press release out to end the talks. If he didn’t, this wouldn’t end until he admitted it. He knows it is against his values but not worth putting his family through. Does this mean I condone his behavior…no! But it is not my place to judge or forgive…it is his family’s place. My place to judge is not buy his products or watch him when he is on TV…
1:56 pm on December 2nd, 2009
@ Jesus. Yes, I agree that he’d still be a rich a**hole if he was single and straight up about being a horn-dog, but not nearly as rich as he is today.
Not just my opinion - read the commentary threads and it’s clear that lots of people valued his brand for the squeaky clean family component too.
His overall “clean” image sold a lot of extra golf equipment (let’s see, remember how much golf equip. Nike sold before Tiger?) to the parents (of aspiring athletes) who wouldn’t have otherwise promoted interest in another man-whore athlete’s antics….
And you’re correct that the place to judge is at the cash register.
2:19 pm on December 2nd, 2009
wow! hope he had protection, or his wife might be getting another surprise this Holiday!
3:54 pm on December 2nd, 2009
I agree with Jesus. I really never care for Tiger. Because of the Media. The Media made Tiger the role model and Earl made Tiger the golfer. So hater stop hating, he is just a man just like YOU
4:33 pm on December 2nd, 2009
Jason Giambi nods in approval.
6:07 pm on December 2nd, 2009
Once a cheater, always a cheater. I know from personal experience.
9:39 pm on December 2nd, 2009
“What kind of nerd wears a Nike polo shirt to a Vegas nightclub?” BO
a person who gets paid a gazzillion dollars to do so
1:13 pm on December 3rd, 2009
Goes against my values? What values Tiger? Oh, I see you had a “transgression” for 31 months? That’s not a transgression…that almost three years! Transgression is a nice way of saying “I am really a habitual liar” and have conned the public into getting them to think but from here on out–I’ll be a better Father and Husband! Ten years from now your kids will get bombarded over this one. Just imagine the embarrassment Elin is enduring in her home country? And the sad shame you brought to the golf world. I’m sure Jack Nicklaus is proud of you!
2:27 pm on December 3rd, 2009
Maybe if she done her job in the bedroom he wouldn’t have go get some away from home. Don’t put all the blame on Tiger.
5:31 pm on December 3rd, 2009
It’s all about CHARACTER!
4:09 am on April 7th, 2010
Tiger is a scum, and his wife deserves a real man, not someone that wants to mess around with other women while he is married,