The Real Truth: Why the Demise of Tiger Woods Is No Tragedy

As sports heroes go, few could top Tiger Woods only months ago. While suffering an injury, we knew nothing of his personal life other than his beautiful wife and children.

Then, horror struck. First, in a most public episode so unlike Tiger and his carefully maintained image. Then, in the names of women who had been a seeming parade of sexual encounters worthy of Casanova.

The juxtaposition of the clean, family man Tiger and his alter ego was as grating as any sports figure in history. Part of this was due to Tiger's greatness. And part the tawdriness of the affairs, including the people he had taken advantage of, the timing of the exposure, and the power of the persona that was Tiger before the fall.

In Greek tragedy, Tiger could easily fit the bill as the main character. So high, and falling so far.

Yet this is neither ancient Greece or a tragedy of any proportion in our modern world. Indeed, many supported Tiger as "just an athlete," as if this answered why he was such a transgressor, and as a sick sex addict as if this justified his actions.  From clean and neat to diseased in a very swift period of time, as if disease is a good thing and supported his actions.

Whatever the situation, it is and has been clear from the start that Tiger is no longer in the chase for a place in any other history. Yes, he was great. And yes he has fallen and is no longer the man he was, either as a golfer or person of integrity.

For some, they look at Tiger longingly, as if he will somehow come back from injury and win again. Forget even majors. Just a win.

But if justice and honor mean more than money or the past, then Tiger deserves his demise. And we should neither mourn his fate or treat this as anything other than the justice he deserves.

And that is The Real Truth.