Tiger Woods' Public Statement: A Definite Step In The Right Direction

On Friday, most people expected (myself included) Tiger Woods to come out with a speech apologizing for what had happened in the past, but mainly focus on his future.

His public statement was anything about his future in golf, with Woods still leaving his return to golf in doubt.

Woods gave the world a private look into himself as a person, mostly as a family man.

While the address was very carefully constructed, Woods did not seem to add anything that was not written on the paper in front of him.

It seemed to be a step in the direction that Woods hopes to go in the future: a better husband, father, and a better role model to his fans around the world.

At times, Woods had some awkward pauses and some well-timed deep breaths, but all in all, Tiger started the process of restoring his image.

While his image will never be what it was, he made strides today in order to make himself the role model he once was a short time ago.

He apologized to his fellow PGA Tour players, as well as "his friends" at Accenture for taking the focus off the WGC-Accenture Match Play.

While many will say his speech lacked the emotion necessary for this type of public address, it seems as though Woods looked like a fish out of water. It looked like he tried to show emotion, but he has never been faced with an opponent that has gotten the best of him.

He admitted he was at fault. He promised to be a better person in the future. He told us about his treatment and his future treatment.

What else can you ask for?

Obviously, we all would have liked for Woods to come out and announce his return to golf.

How can he think of his return when he is trying to get his personal life in order? It seems pretty insignificant and selfish of others to expect Woods to be back so soon.

He is making all the right moves to this point.

Many will question his anger while addressing the press following his wife, children, and mother.

But wouldn't you do the same if you were in his shoes? He understands that the media will do whatever it takes in order to get to the bottom of things; however, he wants the media to come at him.

Some will say that a lack of emotion and the robotic sound to his address leads them to believe he was insincere.

There was not one part of his address that was insincere: The man admitted his faults and said everything that was necessary for the public to move on.

He hugged his mother and fought back tears after he closed the speech. He told the public that he expects everyone to be critical of him, and he touched on his belief that at times he felt like he was untouchable and normal rules did not apply to him.

What more could you want?

He admitted that he has been selfish, and that applies to his life in every aspect. He has been a selfish family man and professional.

Today, for the first time in his career (and possibly his entire life), Eldrick "Tiger" Woods showed something that many thought they would never see out of the phenom.

Humility.

My father has always said "humility before greatness."

I always thought that meant before you become great you must go through the process of understanding humility in your own life.

It seems that Woods has helped me learn something else about what my father has said to me since I was young.

Your achievements can take you far, and they can make you feel like you are truly great. But until you understand humility and what it is, you will never be happy with what you have and never be happy with what you accomplish in the future.

Tiger Woods is making strides to become a better man, not just a better golfer.

Although Woods' image has been sinking in the quicksand that is the public opinion, we can all learn from him.

What you learn may be different from the next person, but today we saw a man whose ego has always been larger than life feeling so small. He seems to be embarrassed for what he has done, and you saw that when he couldn't stray off the page for his apology.

Today, we witnessed history. Tiger Woods felt nervous, and for the first time I can remember, Woods looked like he was not in control.

Woods is a man who always needs to be in control, that is just his personality; it is what makes him comfortable.

What transpired in Ponte Vedra, Florida today will make Woods a better man in the long run.

After seeing him today, Woods earned back a little of my respect that was lost in the previous three months.

Whether he earns back the respect of the public is a different story.

But he hit the nail on the head when he stated, "It is not what you achieve, it is what you overcome."