Tiger Won't Succumb to Political Pressure

FOXNews.com ^ | Thursday, April 25, 2002 | By Radley Balko

[rwfok]

When Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship in 2000, the mutterings began.

Like all black athletes with "crossover" appeal, whispers echoed on about "tradeoffs" and "giving back," and about it being time Tiger developed a "social conscience."

A handful of sports pundits, including USA Today

[JonH]

Those words are required for golf.

[G.Mason]

******< "I remember Arnie smoking. I don't remember ever seeing Jack smoke. Cigars are still fairly prevalant." > ******

That's it! I can't take any more!

You might as well know.

Both Jack and Arnie pass gas! Now, how's your memory?

[Moonman62]

I remember Arnie smoking. I don't remember ever seeing Jack smoke. Cigars are still fairly prevalant.

It's well known that Nicklaus smoked and that he quit when he saw a tape of himself doing it on TV, because he thought he was being a poor role model. He also had emotional outbursts, but he would go out of camera range when he felt one coming on.

[weegee]

I see that they proudly display the footprint of the American Chicken

[discostu]

That is nice, thanks for the ping. No really much of a surprise, because athleticism is about over coming your own obstacles on your own (rather than blaiming society and waiting for a check) I've noticed athletes tend towards the conservative. The latest generation is getting a little weak on the family values (I'm talking to you Shannon Sharp), but in that founding principle of who's responsible for your life you really can't become a great athlete and be liberal in outlook.

[N. Theknow]

Tiger is a total boor. Reason #1 why I no longer watch golf on TV.

[Pagey]

I remember when the Slixter tried to get him to do a photo op at the White House and Tiger told 'em "No Thanks".

Yes I remember that too!I guess His Pop was in the military and let him know in no uncertain terms,"......he'll only be using you..." or something along those lines and BLEW HIM OFF!That was a moment in time for me, as America was in "FULL DROOL Mode" over anything the former 'Liar In Chief 'said.Of course you never heard about this on TV..........

[NittanyLion]

Tiger is a total boor. Reason #1 why I no longer watch golf on TV.

What leads you to that conclusion?

[lugsoul]

That's pretty impressive, Elmer - since "progressive" politics existed in the 19th Century before Vladimir was a twinkle in his dad's eye.

[PMCarey]

I admit I am guilty of "letting loose" a little when I play also. However, I would not say those things if my ten year old son was with me(he often is).

I'm sure Tiger wouldn't swear in front of your 10-year old son either. Look, his comments were picked up by a directional mike. It wasn't as if he were wired for sound. Now, if you routinely play golf with a directional mike following you around, I might find your example of self-control more relevant, but as it is, it doesn't really apply does it?

Or put it another way. If you have ever swore on a golf course at any time, you have no business judging Tiger. My goodness, you're making it sound like he went looking for some little kid to cuss out.

[PMCarey]

If golfing causes you to lose self-control, then perhaps you should stop golfing.

You don't golf much do you?

Losing self-control is one of the things almost everyone struggles with, particularly in situations of unexpected stress. Ever swear after banging your thumb hammering in a nail? Yes? Oh, then you better stop hammering nails then.

Tiger's human and thus he make mistakes that all of us make. He's also famous, which magnifies his mistakes. His level of goodness does not match his level of fame, but that doesn't make him a bad person and given how famous he is, he seems to be a pretty good guy.

[AUgrad]

Or put it another way. If you have ever swore on a golf course at any time, you have no business judging Tiger. My goodness, you're making it sound like he went looking for some little kid to cuss out.

I've admitted my bias so I won't belabor the point. Nevertheless, I've never been surrounded by thousands of actual people on a golf course(his galleries are that big), so the comparison isn't quite accurate.

[evad]

Phil needs a caddy who will rip that driver out of his hands when he's protecting a lead.

You're definitely thinking in the right direction. Today's professional golfer is like a thoroughbred stallion...he needs to be properly "handled". Phil is definitely in need of proper handling.

I'd love to caddy him for one season...no way a man with his talent cannot win a major.

[PMCarey]

Fair enough!

Q: Why is the sport called "golf"?

A: Because all of the other four-letter words were taken.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Nice post!

[evad]

spelled backwards it's F L O G

[connectthedots]

So far, nobody from the black community has openly hammered him for his penchant for blond/blue-eyed girlfriends, but methinks it's coming.

No, they will blame it on the girl, just like O.J.'s murder of Nicole. She shouldn't have stolen a good black man away from a black woman and got just what she had coming to her.

[AMERIKA]

Progressive = Liberal = Communist....

[evad]

Progressive = Liberal = Communist....

Who said trig would never be useful :)