When I first heard news of Tiger Woods' accident outside of his Windemere home last Friday, I was very concerned about his well being but I was sure he'd recover from whatever injuries he sustained. The story from the beginning to me didn't make sense. From the fact that he hit the fire hydrant and tree he saw every day he left his driveway and the fact that he wasn't under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs had me thinking there was more to the story. More suprising was to hear about the heroics of his wife. The way she ran outside the home and broke the window with a golf club to free her loving husband from the smashed Cadillac made me want to give her the nickname "Wonderwoman." But the truth is there was in fact a lot more to the story. A story which the popular celebrity website TMZ.com was on to long before the accident ever occurred. The billionaire golf star who caught the attention of the world with his exceptional playing ability and clean image was reportedly having an affair with a New York waitress/bartender Rachel Uchitel. These reports first surfaced from the National Enquirer and TMZ days before the car accident. Many speculate this led Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren to a rage which included her scratching his face and chasing him outside their Orlando home with a golf club in hand as he tried to drive off thus causing the accident. This scenario to many is the one that makes the most sense but was never confirmed.
Tiger Woods decided to stay silent about the incident, which at the end of the day is a personal family matter he has every right to keep in-house. However, as a result of his silence to not only his adoring public but also to the Florida Highway Patrol who investigated the crash, the story became much bigger. Had he perhaps spoken to law enforcement, which by law he didn't have to, the public may have bought his side of the story which was that he crashed his car into a tree and his wife heroically rescued him. But even then, there was evidence which proved otherwise. The evidence included that the window which was smashed out by his wife with the golf club was actually not one but two windows and they were the rear windows in the back. These facts would support the tabloid scenario in which Woods' wife chased him with a golf club because she was angry about his alleged affair.
Woods of course denied such allegations and vehemently defended his wife. But to add insult to his injuries, a woman came forward days ago claiming she had a 31 month affair with Woods. This woman, Jaimee Grubbs is a 24 year old waitress from California who appeared on the VH1 reality show Tool Academy. Quite ironically, she appeared as a victim of a man who had another girlfriend while dating her but obviously now it's revealed she was having a relationship with Tiger Woods the whole time. This woman Grubbs, different from the first, paints a picture of Woods as an adulterer who has been involved in several relationships outside his marriage. To prove her claim of a relationship with Woods, Grubbs claimed to have hundreds of text messages, pictures and more of her connection with Woods. She produced a voice message with a person who sounds like Woods telling her to change her answering machine message because his wife was checking his phone and he didn't want her hearing another woman's voice.
Today Woods finally apologized for what he called "transgressions against his family." He also attacked the media circus which has surrounded his life the past week. But Woods knows the world he lives in and he shouldn't be surprised with the media at all. As a public figure, he should have been more careful with his actions. This woman, Jaimee Grubbs who has basically exposed Woods as an adulterer clearly doesn't care about him. In fact she used Tiger for fame and she's getting exactly what she wants. Former Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Steve McNair paid the ultimate price for his infidelity. He had a relationship with a young vulnerable girl who then shot him to death when her life spiraled out of control. Infidelity these days can mean death.
Grubbs, whom is doing everything in her power to expose Woods and their relationship is acting along the lines of "fatal attraction." Tiger Woods not only sacrificed the family life he shared with his wife and two children but he also put himself at great risk by having an affair with a woman who is clearly unconcerned about his interests.
Woods' endorsement deals are nevertheless intact. Many of the advertisers who use him to sell their products like Nike and AT&T are sticking by him and really don't need not worry because he will keep winning tournaments and fans just the same. However, this new image of Woods is one fans will have to get used to. He's no longer the clean cut family guy whom although had a foul mouth on the golf course you simply thought was a perfect guy off of it. Woods said it best in his statement released today. He said, "I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect." He's getting criticized by his friends and his marriage is in peril.
This has been the best and worst year of Woods' life. After being the first notable athlete to reach the billion dollar mark to now be exposed as the most famous adulterer today just goes to show that nothing, no one, and no situation is as it appears at face value.
