The Bigger They Are - The Harder They Fall
Written By Joel Zuckerman
here are two words that separate Tiger Woods from every other golfer who has ever swung a club in the hopes of glory. No, the words aren’t “abundant talent.” Nor are they “colossal riches,” “intimidation factor” or “unwavering concentration.” The words that separate Woods from all the rest are “intense scrutiny.” Tell me this: Why is John F. Kennedy considered a prince, and Bill Clinton a punch line? Intense scrutiny. Why did the untimely death of Michael Jackson become the biggest entertainment story of the decade, while the untimely death of John Lennon almost 30 years ago, a tragedy similar in scope, 
was not nearly as big a hullabaloo? Intense scrutiny.
This is not an attempt to defend, apologize or excuse the rotten behavior of Tiger Woods. He has done permanent damage to his reputation, and no matter how he rebounds on the golf course in the years to come, no matter how many more Majors he wins, and impossible shots he pulls off, he will never be looked upon in the same way he was prior to Thanksgiving. And though his demise in popularity is nobody’s fault but his own, it was brought about so dramatically, so quickly, due to the intense scrutiny, that he and he alone, is constantly under.
Our previous high opinion of Woods seems so far away now, like another lifetime. But up until Thanksgiving Day just past, Tiger had always maintained a solid, sensible persona, and projected a measured, even-keeled demeanor. Despite enormous demands on his time and the relentless pressure of worldwide fame, in virtually all public situations he has been calm, cordial, and professional. It’s a page right out of our new president’s playbook, and the nickname “No Drama Obama” had, until the Escalade hit the fire hydrant and all these sordid dominos began to fall, been equally applicable to Woods.
Before these alleged infidelities became known, Tiger’s biggest faults were his on-course swearing and occasional club-tossing, and by the way, how much do you think he longs for those Good Old Days? Is he the only PGA Tour player flinging a club or muttering under his breath? Absolutely not. So why does he get singled out? The same two words as before: Intense scrutiny. The camera never leaves him.
In the bigger picture, has he been the only Tour superstar out “catting around”? (Pun intended.) Absolutely not. Not naming names, and thankfully I don’t have first-hand knowledge of such, but back in the days when President Kennedy was messing around with Marilyn Monroe, one of the world’s most popular (and married-with-children) golfers was notorious for spending more time in the sack then the sand. This was back when Elvis was famous for singing “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog,” and he might have dedicated the song to this worldfamous golfer. But back then, there was only CBS, NBC, and a young network upstart called ABC. Back then, sportswriters were famous for “looking the other way,” and protecting their heroes. There was no ESPN, ESPN 2, TMZ, CNN, MSNBC, the internet, and a quick-to-condemn blogosphere.
In the modern era, there is a well-known golfer, truly one of the most popular players in the world, who has been dogged by all sorts of rumors of malfeasance over the years, including gambling and “swinging,” and I don’t mean his Callaway driver. But the media glare, while hot, never approaches the white-hot glare as it does to Tiger. Nor has he been caught “In flagrante delicto,” as the saying goes, behind the wheel, or anywhere else.
Woods really and truly screwed up, there is no doubt. It has come to light in recent weeks that he is a serial adulterer, and the sad fact is that he can claim nearly the same number of mistresses as he can Major championships. But his fall from grace, from Tiger to “Lion Cheetah,” is due in some part to the intense scrutiny that he, and he alone, is constantly under.
|
|