The Tiger Woods Tragedy

A tragedy has visited the world in the form of the world believing a man who wields a stick to hit a ball into a hole is an idol, a saviour, a hero, and a villain.

The man, golfer Tiger Woods, drove his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree, was injured, and now lives and is healthy enough to issue “official statements”.

No one died in the accident. Property damage was limited to a fire hydrant, a tree, an SUV, and Woods’ body.

But rumours are rampant Woods’ accident might have been the result of an argument between he and his wife. His wife, a Swedish beauty, told police she heard the accident and used a golf club to smash out a window of the SUV so she could pull Woods to safety.

The problem, of course, is Woods makes millions or billions by using one of several sticks to push the ball into the hole. He does it better than all the other men who are paid millions or billions by corporations and the media to use their sticks to try to get their ball into the hole.

The fury over Woods’ traffic accident centers upon an issue few, especially sports reporters and sports fans, will admit harboring. ... Why is Tiger Woods paid millions or billions to swing sticks to try to hit a ball into a small hole in the ground?

And why, as corporations, media, and fans, do we continue to so highly value Woods for his stick and ball ability?

Frenzy over Woods and his recent traffic accident is really a manifestation of the question; if you can use a stick to hit a ball better than other men, should that entitle you to a hot wife, a mansion, fame, and billions of dollars?

The answer is, of course, that’s the way the world works right now.

Hoping Tiger Woods will win or fail is what you made it. Woods is only reaping the whirlwind.

If his wife, Elin, had used a chainsaw to cut the SUV into a million pieces and pulled Tiger Woods out safely, if she has marital property rights to the SUV, it’s not a crime.

If Tiger Woods smashed into a fire hydrant, so what?  He pays a fine for property damage and/or careless driving.

The problem with the Woods’ accident frenzy is the refusal of sports reporters and fans to acknowledge the real reason for their frantic interest in the story. 

Why can’t Tiger Woods, a man who is handsome, charming, makes billions playing a game, has a hot wife, the cherished daughter and son, and seemingly has everything everyone wants, be happy and perfect?
 
Many have called for Woods to answer numerous questions about the accident and his marriage.

The real questions must be asked of the men, the corporate leaders, the media leaders, the  average man as to why a small accident is so important. And whether the frenzy about Woods is actually a tragedy about what we have decided is important.