Tiger Woods: Finally Faces the Public

Tiger Woods walked up to a podium early Friday and addressed a national audience to once again apologize for his infidelities. He apologized to fans, his business partners, and his sponsors. The richest golfer in the world talked about continuing his charitable efforts and also talked about his stay in sex therapy for cheating on his wife. He spoke about understanding why the press wants to know details of his life but made it clear those issues would be solely between he and his wife.

He spoke at great length about wanting to protect his family and criticized the paparazzi for following his family including his children and mother everywhere they went. He made a plea to the media to leave his family alone.

Woods defended his wife, Elin Nordegren, saying she never attacked him or touched him during the Thanksgiving incident when he ran into the tree with his SUV.

Then he began talking about Buddhism which was the religion he was taught as a child. He talked about drifting away from his religion and wanting to go back to his early teachings. Then he went into detail about what he learned in sex therapy which included relying on his religion and friends.

Woods answered what his golf fans wanted to hear which is that he plans to return to golf but he didn't give a exact time but said it may be in 2010. He apologized to his fellow golfers for holding the press conference during the same weeked the Accenture tournament will take place. He then asked the audience and viewers if they could one day believe in him again. After he finished speaking he hugged his mother.

Obviously what he said was well scripted and was devised to suit his wide purpose which was a plea for forgiveness from everyone. Clearly he wants to restore his image and I think he's well on his way. He appeared to come across as genuine despite the fact he was obviously rehearsed. But he was subdued and humble even when he was asking the media to leave his family alone. I believe the plea for his family resonated with a lot of people because he was very sincere. He was smart in that he didn't attack the media but rather respectfully revealed how his actions allowed his family to be negatively impacted by the mainstream press.

I think he did a great job although it was obviously staged and orchestrated. But I'm positive he didn't garner too much sympathy because at the end of the day, Tiger Woods has earned 100 million dollars from golf earning plus more from endorsements. I'm sure some of the companies may return to backing him; that's obvious. He has some work to do with rebuilding his family but I'm sure he won't have a problem with that. People won't forget about his infidelities but I don't think it'll matter. A year from now I suspect this will be a non-story and Woods will categorically return to form on and off the course and will always be considered the best golfer that has ever lived.

Darrell Green: The Fastest Baby Boomer Alive and Still Healthy

On February 15th of this year NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green turned 50. Shortly after, according to his twitter account, he became the fastest baby boomer alive. Green claimed to have run the 40 yard dash in 4.43 seconds on his birthday. Who should doubt him? The answer is no one. He won all of the NFL fastest man competitions he entered; and ten years ago at age 40 he made headlines for running a tad bit faster forty time of 4.2.

Green is a two time Super Bowl champ and 7 time pro bowler whose storied career reads like 50 pages from the Guiness Book of World Records. Most of his records made prominent because of the 20 years he spent in the league. He holds the record for most career interceptions and most interceptions returned by a Redskins player in history. He holds the record for most games played by a defensive player in league history and at age 40, he signed a five year contract with Washington, a team he played with his entire NFL career.

But the story here is much bigger than the fact that Green can run a faster time than almost everyone half his age. The story here is a more positive story than the ones NFL fans have heard in the past few years. Green like Brett Favre, Warren Moon and Deion Sanders who've played long and illustrious career in the league and are in top physical condition for their age, are simply a rarity and should be celebrated.

In 2011, the NFL is expected to have a lockout as they try to figure out a new plan to split the revenue between owners and players. Other issues being discussed include how much dough to fork over to retired players especially the ones with health issues related or unrelated to football. For years now it's become widely accepted that players in the league are susceptible to health problems later on in life as a result of the physical nature of the sport. This problem became more of a serious issue when Hall of Famer Reggie White passed away at age 43 in 2004 of a cardiac arrhythmia. Many players have also suffered from heart problems and concussions. The most unexpected case occurred this year when All American defensive end Gaines Adams died of a heart attack at age 26.

So while NFL owners bicker back and forth with the players' union about shrinking profits, I hope providing substantive health benefits to retired players isn't pushed aside. In the meantime when you hear a story about a 50 year old beast running a 4.43 40 yard dash, all you can do is chuckle or think what the.......???

Another One Bites The Dust: Jim Leavitt Fired

On my previous blog, I talked about how several coaches are taking inadvertent leave of absences by making reckless decisions and now you can add USF Coach Jim Leavitt to the growing list. Leavitt was fired Friday for reportedly asking and or forcing players and assistant coaches to lie about an incident where he allegedly grabbed one of his players by the throat and slapped him. The University investigation into the incident concluded Leavitt did in fact choke and slap the player this past season. Unbelievable! Leavitt built the program at USF; how could he risk 14 years of hardwork by making an incredibly stupid decision? I cannot believe this abuse is going on in college football and my thought now is college athletes should be paid because I think it's a result of the mistreatment of college players at a much higher level.

There's so much money being handed around in college football and college sports in general and while I can appreciate the fact that the players are receiving an education it's appears more that these players' values to the coaches are underappreciated considering the way they are being treated. You never hear stories like this in the NFL. Yes, college is platform for growth but these coaches need to realize that these are young men and women not children to be pushed around and beaten. If USF determined Coach Leavitt was in the wrong in the incident then it is true because he was such a value to the program. There's no way they would have fired someone who contributed so much.

Colts & Saints Still Undefeated: Dolphins Will Cringe!

The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are still undefeated going into week 14 of the NFL season; making it the first time in history two teams have ever done so at the same time. The play of quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have been nothing short of exceptional considering the teams they have beaten, the talent they've faced, and their come from behind victory games.
Both of their most notable come-from-behind wins come at the expense of the Miami Dolphins. But before I begin talking about how Miami will look back and regret both of those losses let's focus on what the two undefeated teams have done lately.

Yesterday the Colts beat a very hot Tennessee Titans team which won 5 straight games. Granted, three of those Tennessee wins were against teams with records under .500 but they were still significant victories. Colts QB Peyton Manning has thrown approximately 3,685 yards this season with a 101 quarterback rating and 25 touchdowns under his belt. Not to mention, Indianapolis receiver Reggie Wayne just broke the 1000 yard reception mark on Sunday against Tennessee now with 1,035.

The Saints on the other hand should be commended for their play on offense and defense considering they have likely pro-bowlers on both sides of the ball. As a matter of fact since the pro-bowl is a week before the superbowl; if the Saints get there, they might as well fly to Miami two weeks in advance because many of their players will be part of both. I'm predicting Drew Brees will win if not at least share the MVP award this season. Brees has shocked the world with his miraculous if not earth shattering improvement this year. He's thrown for more than 3,500 yards with a 111 quarterback rating and 29 touchdowns which is higher than Manning. The one two three punch of Brees, Tight End Jeremy Shockey, and Receiver Devery Henderson has overwhelmed defenses this year; and Sedrick Ellis, Jonathan Vilma, and Darren Sharper might as well give their speeches now because all three will be selected for the pro-bowl this season.

As for the Miami Dolphins, let's just say allowing the Colts to beat them in week 2 and the Saints to come back in week 7 will prove to be very significant at the end of the season. First off, now that the Dolphins split the season series with New England after beating them 21-20 yesterday, they still have hope to win the AFC East.

The only problem is if the Patriots win out they'll take the division instead. Now this particular scenario could have been avoided had the Dolphins taken care of business with either the Saints or the Colts earlier this season. In both of those losses the Phins had a significant edge. In the Colts game the Dolphins controlled time of possession and even held a seven point fourth quarter lead but were unable to come out on top. In the loss against New Orleans the Dolphins owned the Saints for most of the game holding a 21 point lead in the 2nd quarter of that game and a 10 point lead late in the last.

So for all the fans who relish the Miami Dolphins' undefeated regular and post-season record, watch out because odds are it's going to end this year. They'll be no more trash talking and no more champangne glasses clinking by the former players of the 1972 undeated team. This is about the time of the year when those players come out of the wood work and start giving interviews about their annual celebration when the last undefeated team falls. But guess what? There are now two teams which are perfect and both these squads have two likely MVPs; so when Dolphins players and fans alike think back to those losses they'll be kicking themselves because they could have easily and I mean EASILY prevented Miami's record from being broken.

Tiger Woods' Car Accident: Truth Revealed

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.

Tiger Woods: In Good Condition Despite Early Reports

Tiger Woods was not seriously injured despite initial reports about the top golfer's car accident outside his Orlando home. Woods only sustained facial lacerations and other minor injuries which is a complete relief from earlier news about the wreck. The latest reports say early this morning, Woods was backing out his driveway in his 2009 cadillac escalade and hit a fire hydrant. His wife reportedly heard the car crash and ran outside and helped him out of the vehicle by smashing the car window with a golf club. He was admitted to the hospital and soonafter he was released according to his publicist.

So why were earlier reports so wrong? How did minor injuries turn into serious injuries? Wow! It just goes to show how important fact checking is in major stories. Watching coverage of the accident all day, I noticed a high level of panic about Woods' future and whether he'll ever play again. Well the answer is yes; He'll play and win a lot more majors. Woods is the most famous athlete today and he'll bounce back despite the facial lacerations. Woods basically had a minor mishap which was obvious considering the initial details of the story. I'm glad he's okay and I think the story should go away because I'm sure Woods wants to put this incident behind him.

Tiger Woods' Car Accident: Seriously Injured

I'm always taken aback when I hear celebrities or sports stars getting into the typical misfortunes of regular Joes. Today for instance, the world's best golfer Tiger Woods is in serious condition after a car accident right outside his home in Orlando. Initial reports say charges are pending in the case and Woods may have been the only one involved in the accident which may have involved him hitting a fire hydrant and then running into a neighbors tree. He was reportedly driving a 2009 cadillac escalade and his airbags did not deploy which indicates everything went wrong for Woods in this accident. It all seems really minor considering his car was the only one involved and couldn't have been going more than 35mph coming out of his driveway but multiple reports say he is in serious condition.

Not much more has been revealed about the accident which comes a day after Thanksgiving; and surely during holidays you hate to hear bad news. I'm confident no matter how serious the injuries are that Tiger Woods will recover and bounce back. I was relieved to hear that alcohol was not a factor and I knew it immediately because Tiger is a smart guy and I doubt he would risk his career by driving drunk.

Woods is a 33 year old golf phenom currently ranked the number 1 golfer in the world. He joined the PGA tour in 1996 and has won 14 major championships and is a two time Fed Ex Cup champion. In 2008, he earned a reported $110 million in earnings and this year in 09' hit the one billion dollar mark. His accomplishments elevated because he achieved so much so quickly. He has 71 PGA tour wins third on the all time list. I reiterate, I'm confident no matter how serious the injuries, Tiger Woods will be back and I'm glad alcohol was not a factor. The Orlando Sentinel, ESPN and CNN are the sources of this report.