Tiger Woods, Take Note From Your Fellow Athletes: Winning Makes People Forget

Tiger Woods has been in the news nonstop ever since his affairs with numerous women became public following a bizarre car accident last year outside his home in Orlando, Florida.

But, typically, that news has been about another woman being added to his 'list.'

Or one of those women writing a tell-all book, or producing text messages from Woods that are scary creepy.

Now Woods has taken to the media to try to convince us he's changed.

He did rehab, he's feeling better, blah, blah, blah.

I'm here to tell you that telling us you're changed won't do anything to repair your image—but winning will.

Tony Parker and Wayne Rooney, feel free to take notes, too.

Exhibit A: Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs as he looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on November 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

In 2003, Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in Colorado.

The following year, charges were dropped, but Bryant's reputation still took a huge hit as he lost endorsements with McDonald's and Nutella.

Winning championships in 2009 and 2010 put Bryant back in the public's good faith.

Does he deserve to be looked upon favorably? I mean, he's an adulterer at the least, and no one likes them.

But everyone loves a winner.

Bryant's legacy will be his five rings, not the sexual assault allegations nor his admission to having cheated on his wife. 

Exhibit B: Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

OK, so Big Ben didn't cheat on anyone, but his reputation certainly has taken two huge hits with separate allegations of sexual misconduct. 

What has shocked me, though, is how little people seem to care about these allegations.

Somehow Roethelisberger's two rings have always seemed to outweigh the allegations.

Exhibit C: Michael Jordan

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, throws the ball back to an official during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 8, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: U

Michael Jordan did so much winning in his life that people didn't even blink when he got caught cheating.

Think Hanes cared? Turn on your TV for the answer.

Exhibit D: Alex Rodriguez

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees bats against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 6-1. (Pho

Three Most Valuable Player awards.

One cheating scandal.

Which do people think about more? OK, I'd already forgotten Rodriguez cheated on his wife and it's only been a few years.

Exhibit E: Jeff Gordon

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, stands on pit road prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21, 2010 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images fo

Jeff Gordon brings an additional idea to the table.

Remarry, and be more respectable in that second marriage.

In addition to winning, it is a superb way to regain your reputation. It may be too soon for Woods, but once he starts treating women in a proper manner in public, and in private, it will help him greatly.