Honestly, that medal means nothing coming from Trump. It might as well be made of chocolate. At first I was hoping that Tiger would respectfully decline and see that it was clearly just a publicity stunt for Trump. Maybe one day it will mean something again when this country wakes up from this never ending nightmare.
Tiger's victory at the Masters this year was well earned, and he should be respected for it. Trump, as usual, had to take a great story and make it about himself, which is what he does with everything. I was annoyed at first, but I quickly forgot about it, because, like I said, that medal right now, means absolutely nothing.
8
Great golfer. Smart businessman. Robotic interviewee. Aloof personality. Can shut it on or off about caring what the public thinks. Almost immune to criticism. Richer than the Queen of England.
Won't ever be regarded as the King of Golf, Arnold Palmer.
4
I loved watching Woods play until he got in bed with Trump. Now, if he never wins another dollar let alone another tournament, I would consider it morally just.
9
@True citizen
My wife LOVED Tiger, albeit with some of the luster worn away by his abominable private behavior. Yesterday as we watched the Open she was actively rooting against him.
3
So that's the Medal of Freedom. As with most things Trump touches, this award is now permanently tainted. Mr. Woods didn't have the good sense to decline it, which is a major reveal, and Trump meanwhile lacks the basic decency and intelligence to understand what it means. We need better heroes and infinitely better presidents.
19
In my day,( the 50s) no one wrote or cared about the personal life of a star athlete. Our current fixation on the “character” of athletes is symptomatic of a void in our own lives.
5
This is what’s wrong with us. This is not news. The judgement and shame on Mr. Woods for respecting our president is his decision. It should be respected. It certainly should not result in this article and commentary. He, like all of us has made mistakes and has many flaws.
5
A thoughtful look at one the the greatest athletes of the past 25 years. That he is of mixed ethnicity colors (no pun intended) the discussion- plus the article, written by an African American, adds yet another layer to the ongoing racial divide in America.
2
If Woods had even a modicum of integrity, he would have declined the opportunity to pimp for Trump's golf business. I applaud Woods's accomplishments as a golfer and as a person well-stricken in years for a pro athlete. But it's clear that his preternatural abilities on the course far outstrip his character, which is dubious at best. Many top pro athletes have had the backbone to disdain the opportunity to provide Trump with PR opportunities and have refused to commune with him and be used by him to puff himself up. Woods should have joined them.
14
Tiger should have taken a knee and refused the medal publicly.
10
I’ve always been a huge Woods supporter, mostly because I saw him as an underdog in a white man’s sport. But his Medal of Freedom is tainted because it was bestowed by a pathetic, needy criminal. Woods’ consorting with a dictator has lost me as a fan but perhaps has made him more popular with the typical golf fan.
6
I have been so impressed with Tiger's persistence and struggles to come back to the phenom he was earlier in his career. He has worked so hard and its working. I cheered for him when he finally did it, won yet another tourney after so much doubt. That said, I just can't ignore the cozying up to a rude and divisive man who has helped to energize a resurgent white nationalist movement. Just can't.
8
Oh please. Sorry, but there is NOTHING tolerable about Woods loving it up with the man that is trying to destroy this Country. Nothing! Woods cheated on his wife every chance he got and lied and lied and lied about it until she took a golf club and bashed his car window with it. He and Trump have these things in common...they are BOTH liars and cheaters. That might be tolerable in your book somehow, but it definitely isn't in mine.
19
Reprehensible individual. His entire life has been golf, hitting a ball. Horrible husband. Profligate philanderer. Simply because his ethnicity is Asian and black USAer does not give him a "pass".
Even more disgusting is the groveling of the powers that be related to the promotion of professional golf, in particular the commercial entities that televise professional golfing events. It is iMr. Woods at every moment, with the usual fake, fawning attention from the ever-present, yet less than useless television "commentators". Mr. Woods' presence on the screen is a significant money-maker for those broadcasting any tournament, in which Mr. Woods appears, carefully oblivious to the horrid example of human behavior that Mr. Woods has repeated shown. Lest that dampen the inflow of money.
9
@Wendell Murray
Mr. Murray, I would agree with you on most of your points. However golfers play a unique sport in that their main opponents are the course itself and weather.
They are basically independent contractors in that there is no team mentality. They are their own trainers and cheerleaders despite a phalanx of people who work for the best players.
It's a sport that allows its participants to play into their 50's and then go onto the Senior Tour. Up until a few years ago there wasn't much collegiality between players but now some let their hair down, jet to far away tournaments together and rent a communal place to stay.
This is a sport which is so dependent on the individual that they have to isolate themselves into a Zen state of mind once they get their PGA card. So yes their life is Golf when they reach this level.
My favorite golfers in the past were Snead because of his polite nature, Ben Hogan for his tenacity after a horrific car wreck, Trevino for the joy he had in winning and Crenshaw for being a Longhorn.
My current favorite is Bubba Watson because he is a magician at pulling off amazing shots as well as conquering his fear of crowds. He seems humble and is a good family man.
I live with a woman who while never a soldier herself worked for the Defense Department for many years which I think has shaped her personality both good and bad. You need to remember that Earl Woods was a soldier who loved golf and was the dominant person in his son's life.
3
Tiger has not been the good guy. We all know this and nobody is arguing that he has been. But I feel a lot of this article is just indulging in an unhealthy love for hating the bad guy. I don't think that we should do that as a society. I think we should have a healthy understanding of when someone has done wrong and has not been a good role model, but also remain hopeful the person gets their life back together and becomes better in the future. This article's only purpose seems to be to relish the symbolism behind a crooked medal, the fact that Trump (a controversial figure himself) bestowed this award, and... a flapping shirt? My only question after reading this article is why?
6
Another graceless, needlessly critical assessment of a human being. I hope the author leads a perfect life with no blemishes because they happen to all of us. But Tiger made the mistake of visiting Trump. A cardinal sin in the NYT reader lexicon. And everyone piles on with the insults. Cheap. And easy.
The fact is that Tiger Woods is one of the two greatest golfers of all time. No one other than Jack comes close. He is an imperfect human being. Aren't we all?
12
Anyone famous and willing to smile in a presentation with this POTUS is eligible for the medal of freedom.
14
This is just another covetous article about a biracial individual written from a race-consumed, African-American perspective. Forcing a bi- or multiracial individual to remain politically partisan on the basis of race is tired. We beg for the freedom of individual expression in this country, but the moment someone embraces it and separates from the flock, one of "our own" will always be the first to naysay. Shame, shame.
9
"... nobody fixed it because everybody was too elated to notice or care." ----Come on now Mr. Morris...It was only a twisted ribbon. I'm sure everyone noticed. The real story is--it was twisted by Trump.
5
This article encapsulates everything that is wrong with young people today.
Whether it is on instagram or facebook, in a public protest or in the news ....people think they have the need to tell everyone else how they should live their life.
He has been through a lot.....just like everybody else has in life....and he is humbler for what he has been through..
Why the need to criticize ??
11
@Peter He is humbler?
2
This is a pretty tough crowd. Tiger Woods is a great golfer. He's trying to be the greatest ever. He knows what the standard for greatness is and he may succeed in topping it.
Mad King Donald has no idea what a standard is. He's a terrible President and will likely go down as the worst ever.
Life is colorful. People imperfect. Some of us like it that way.
5
I realize everyone's a critic, but good grief, you are waaay overthinking this stuff.
9
"As the owner of a Presidential Medal of Freedom (and another green jacket), he can maintain smooth political silence."
Accepting a Medal of Freedom from (or merely agreeing to be in the same room with) Donald Trump is anything but "smooth political silence." It's an acknowledgement that the guy is worth your presence. Many other athletes have eschewed visits to the White House because they didn't want to be photographed with, or even meet, someone who boasts such a lack of humanity.
But Tiger has never been known for standing on principle. From the day he signed his first endorsement with Nike, which operated sweatshops in his mother's home country of Thailand, he showed his true identity. He was a most sought-after commodity. He might have exerted his influence by signing on the condition that Nike change some of its labor practices... But nah.
Tiger is a golfer, and perhaps it's no one's place to criticize him for anything but poor play. But some true sports heroes have a more socially conscious perspective -- like my personal favorite, Arthur Ashe, who said, "I hope I'm remembered for things other than tennis."
11
I take issue with many things the writer has said. In no particular order, here’s one: golf is a white man’s game? No. No it is not. It is a wealthy man’s game. Just look at Asia.
9
“In no particular order here’s one”. Ok, that’s all I got.
As far as the “sport” is concerned he’s the Michael Jordan of golf, all to himself, and getting a medal for another morally corrupt individual like trump is just fitting.
13
@C Franco
PERFECT EQUATION
6
What’s the story...people who live in glass houses? Sure hope all commentators live perfect lives. Just recognize greatness when you see it and recognize a human being working to better themselves in and out of spotlight.
13
@Rkbrands5 Living in glass houses, but aiming at glass towers. Not many willing to put in the work and make the climb themselves. Good thing stones are so prevalent at ground level.
4
Donald Trump gives out medals to make himself feel important. Tiger Woods accepted the medal to make himself feel important. Really they're both just pathetic. Money and talent are not enough to make them happy with who they are.
Yes, I read the article. No, I don't like or admire either of them.
29
Donald Trump gives out medals to make himself feel important. Tiger Woods accepted the medal to make himself feel important. Really they're both just pathetic. Money and talent are not enough to make them happy with who they are.
Yes, I read the article. No, I don't like or admire either of them.
12
Well Tiger fits right in with "basking in adulation" with the President as the two of them bask in another mutual theme: adultery.
13
I know there are people out there who think the game of golf is the epitome of everything and Tiger Woods is the epitome of golf. But while I admire dedication and hard work, I see acres and acres unreal green grass as a result of lot of harmful chemicals and endless gas guzzling mowers mowing. I was never a Tiger fan just because he seemed so cold and self-centered. But that's just me. Whatever.
14
What has Tiger Woods ever done for anyone not named Tiger?
Nothing.
He is not a person to admire.
24
@Woody Guthrie He has an amazing foundation, the TGR Foundation, that has educated hundreds of children at their multiple campuses in the STEM subjects. He has sent a number of them to college. His impact on the next generation of doctors and scientists and engineers is substantial.
19
Sarah that is called a tax write off.
5
@Sarah
I didn;t know that. Thanks. Gracias
3
The bit with Trump indicates that his morals are still a bit off par.
15
Tiger can accurately hit a golf ball. Does not mean he has common sense.
22
Woods won the US Open on a broken leg. His comeback at the Masters was deadly.
Medal of freedom from trump?
Not the best optics but golfers are notoriously conservative.
On balance- he made a great comeback. I hope that he does not catch Nicklaus.
3
Today’s edition of the NYT is littered with (in)famous people disgracing themselves. Actually just about every day is like that. As a progressive I would love to see Tiger stand up for minorities and snub the Turnip. But it has been obvious for a long time that he does not roll that way. With the world the way it is, I just don’t care. Watching the man doing what he does is thrilling, awe-inspiring and just plain fun. His golf career is just one breathtaking moment after another. Leave the poor guy alone to fight his own inner demons. I have enough trouble with my own, and any honest reader should admit to the same thing.
18
What credibility does this president, an enabler or white supremacy, bring to awarding the Medal fo Freedom? Zero
And how does Tiger square "freedon" with the history of his race and this enable of racism?
As much as I like Tiger, I can't respect him anymore.
3
Tiger Woods is off limits for NY Times would be op-ed philosophers,except for Maureen who can always enrich us with her unique Welt Anschau.
Mr Morris harbours little empathy towards mr Woods and that is understandable particularly if he has never accompanied this incredible golfer's through the harrowing 4 days of a major tournament. But for anyone who has ,there is no doubt that mr Woods's accomplishments on the courses as well as turning his private life around and suffering through multiple surgeries, have made him a beloved world figure,transcending nationality race or sheer sport statistics. Mr Trump is an astute observer of the American public mood and chose to recognize and elevate mr Woods for this very reason.
Criticism is to be expected from a critic;however mr Woods operates and shines on levels inaccessible to mere tallies of life's ups and downs.I love Tiger Woods and what he represents: Excellence the American way.
7
@Marcelo Brito God you make him sound like playing in a major is like landing on Normandy beach. Please stop already.
1
Tiger's athletic performance is hailed by all as they conveniently forget his sordid past. Cheating on his family and lying to us all on 60 Minutes where he looked in to the camera and said "family is everything" while at that very time he was being unfaithful to his wife. How ironic that the philanderer in the White House gives a Medal of Freedom to a fellow philanderer.
8
I read this and still wonder what the point was? It seemed like a personal attack on Woods by rehashing his most embarrassing foibles spurred on by the medal given by Trump. Tiger’s distinguished, unmatched golf accolades aside, I felt like since Trump awarded him this medal, the author felt the need to tear him down because Trump raised him up. Petty but, unfortunately, predictable here. And I still don’t see the point of this article...
12
@Jeff,
The point is to throw as much dirt as possible at anybody who's having audacity to have other worldview than our party mandates.
2
Smiling with Trump is considered a good thing.
Seems more like a stain on one's integrity to me.
10
I waited along with Tiger's many fans, for that next major tournament win. And honestly, I didn't bother to watch on TV if he wasn't playing. His winning the Masters was thrilling, a culmination.
But now, unexpectedly, I find myself not being able to care any more. I can't get past his association with that deplorable man.
10
"The ribbon was twisted up right in front, on his left side" - yes, yes! And nobody considered it important! That's the Trump administration for you. That's the Trump era. How did we come to this?
2
It was great to see Tiger's children at the award ceremony. I am sure the only thing they were thinking was, "I wish Mom could be here with us."
Just not enough Golf Trophies or twisted ribbons holding medals to compensate for those kids feeling something was missing on Dad's special Rose Garden Ceremony.
2
No one can take away the thrills, excitement, enjoyment, and absolutely wonderful golf Tiger has given the serious and casual fans over his entire career. No analysis or interpretation of a "twisted ribbon" will ever change that.
6
His athletic comeback is admirable, but he lost me when he stood next to Trump. Modesty (he's an athlete, not a courageous scientist or author or diplomat) and self-respect (why would any decent person want to associated with Trump?) should have intervened.
15
@marklee There are many athletes who have received the medal prior to Tiger.
2
@marklee There are many athletes who have received the medal prior to Tiger. In fact, President Obama gave out 12 to athletes.
3
And here, ladies and gents, is a relatively decent example of TDS.
1
Why someone who puts a ball in a cup should be given a Presidential Medal of anything baffles me.
65
@FilmMD If you learn a bit about his foundation, TGR Foundation, you will be amazed at what he has done to educate hundreds of children in the STEM subjects and he has sent a good number of them to college. Tiger is really modest about his impact on these children (some now adults), but it is substantial. He is educating our next generation of scientists and doctors and engineers.
5
@Sarah
I suppose if he cares that much about science and factual knowledge, he has no reason whatsoever to interact with Mr. Donald Trump
4
Trump also gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miriam Adelson, wife of billionaire GOP donor Sheldon Adelson.
Trump cheapens everything he touches.
98
@Socrates
Could it be that T is mocking us, the people that appose him, kind of sticking his finger in our eye, and showing he can do and say anything and that he will never be called to account for it, like a petulant teenager.
Everyday he does or says something inflammatory setting the world on edge. It's like being ruled by a crazy man.
5
@Socrates I am willing to bet the author wishes he had half the talent and gumption of Tiger Woods.
Of course Tiger has a flawed character; everyone in the world saw that spelled out on TV and in the tabloids. Has he attempted to make up for his failings? Looks like it to me. Has he coped for years with extraordinary medical challenges? Yep. Has he long supported efforts to bring poor kids into the very expensive sport of golf? Affirmative. Does he support other worthy endeavors? Roger that.
Tiger’s brand is so big and strong (how many major wins and green jackets?) that he can pretty much hang with anyone he wants. Bashing those who associate with President Trump is all the fashion these days, but trying to denigrate Tiger for associating with the President is a fool’s errand.
8
You had me till the last sentence. Accepting the medal from trump was a duty. Even I would have done so. Hobnobbing with trump is an unneccessary overstep, beyond duty.
Golf is boring. Moreso Trump’s stage props. Good riddance, Tiger.
15
How can any African American have anything to do with our faux president let alone accept a medal, he most certainly doesn't deserve.Having come across tiger, live,only once I was pretty appalled at his behavior.Refusing to give adoring kids autographs,foul mouthed and spitting on the greens...no wonder he and our classless president hit it off.
38
Smiling with President Trump... just great.
I'm on Tiger Woods boycott.
30
Remember the Mike Douglas Show? Way, way back? I remember it because it was broadcasted from Philadelphia's famed downtown Warwich Hotel. That was way back - when Joan Rivers was called again and again to be Mike Douglas' Nielson ratings roof-topping co-host. I actually do remember when Tiger Woods' father got on the TV stage there to present a golf "prodigy". Who'd a thought - a lost memory of media and golf would come back to me. And, please remember "Everybody Loves Raymond" where the segment of golf-loving Ray and his brother Robert watching a (phantom) TV broadcast where Tiger Woods had won the USA Open and the Woods' father and son hugged and reveled with the voctory. Good story. WE all loved it and we all believed in it. Then things changed - Tiger Woods wasn't such a good guy for all the National Enquirer and then mainstream media reports. For Tiger Woods to take the Medal of Freedom Award from the current president - and feel no shame... (fill-in the blanks). While I would wish any athlete in many sports "good luck and God Bless" - Tiger Woods - who I really rooted for - I no longer do with good reason.
12
All that just to end up as a trump propoganda object. Nice work Tiger.
33
I spent a few hours with Muhammad Ali. Tiger is no Ali! Ali wouldn't disgrace himself by even speaking to Trump.
53
Woods does business with the criminal-in-chief. Thus he is irredeemable in my estimation.
50
If he played basketball there would be no discussion whatsoever as to his moral compass.
1
I’m offended that the Medal of Honor has been cheapened by Donald!
19
Just to be clear the Medal of Honor is a military award for bravery above and beyond the call of duty in battle...the medal we are talking about here is the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, a completely different animal awarded to exemplary and talented folks, usually also philanthropists, who are most often civilians and are looked to as examples. Whether Woods was worthy is not the point of most comments...the problem is that Woods would accept it from the despicable racist person that Trump is.
3
Tiger Woods is one of America's great golfers--along with Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and others. Golf is reputed to be one of the hardest games to play skillfully. It ranks with hitting a baseball.
But could you imagine Tiger doing what Ben Hogan did for his wife, Valerie: Shoving his body in front of hers to protect her from a head-on collision.
It was fitting that Tiger gladly accepted a medal from President Trump. Both are malignant narcissists, who care only for themselves, and, like Sammy Glick, would run over their own grandmothers to get what they want.
33
Oh, boy. Talk about a pointless paean to a playboy pill-popper. Wesley Morris writes, "...socially, a newly relevant Tiger Woods promises what the previously infallible version did...." Which means...what? Golf is a game. Tiger Woods is a pro golfer. Why would I take any profound advice from him, even if his personal life was saintly? P.S. Refer these sorts of hagiography to
People and US magazines, not the NYT.
20
Historians are going to have a field day when Tiger Woods retires from golf, the comparisons to his contemporaries all the endless chatter of who is the greatest golfer of all time etc. I do think that Tiger’s Presidential Medal of Freedom was extravagant but that’s my opinion.
I am African American and I deeply regret not seeing more black golfers on the PGA tour. Tiger Woods has had an amazing run and he certainly has redeemed his self by winning his 15th Major at the Masters. But the great Tiger will never be as great as Muhammad Ali or Jackie Robinson. When it comes to discussions of race and the civil rights struggle Mr. Woods score card is littered with bogeys—Tiger failed to make the cut.
I wish Tiger all the best, I hope he continues to win tournaments and get those big endorsements, maybe when his playing days are over he will become an advocate, maybe give back to the inner cities in a non-condescending-way.
The Tiger needs to remember folks like Dr. ML King, W.E. Dubois, Harriet Tubman and read more black history, if he’s lucky he might even discover the contributions of Henrietta Lacks down in Baltimore’s John Hopkins University. America needs you Tiger, but don’t forget that black America built this nation and it’s OK to to visit our communities too. Think about it...Tiger Woods speaking out on gun violence or discrimination might be comparable to playing in the rough and taking a mulligan.
16
Like the famous sports heroes who achieve with banned or ought to banned "chemical or mechanical" help, the Medals of Freedom passed out by Trump should come with a special note, much like his pardons for war crimes.
While I disagree that sports heroes need to be (in the words of the author "moral" leaders as well as over-achievers in their chosen sport) Tiger Woods is by any measurement the best golfer the sporting world has produced. The mythic heroes of of old produced their records in other times when competition was less cut throat, when courses were less challenging and crowds less demanding of perfection. All too many people waited for Tiger Woods to fail; all too many are eager to recount his private sexual activities and misuse of pain drugs.
Entitled sports heroes are nothing new in their abuse of women (or staff such as caddies). The NCAA, the NFL, the NHL and nearly every other organization has past as well as current personnel who trade on their sport achievements to cover up less than acceptable conduct when mixing alcohol or drugs with socializing. Only when the player's skills are more valuable than the bad publicity does the player "go to rehab" or get "anger management counseling".
The racial aspect of sports heroes and conduct cannot be ignored. Every person of color has expectations of "representing" minorities, a pressure not put on white sports figures. Tiger Woods decision to excuse himself from politics and controversy is not unique.
1
He plays golf and makes tons of money. I feel nothing. I care about people who are fighting back from the bottom who's only reward is another day on this earth and something to eat. Not a rich boy friend of trumps.
25
Mr. Morris neglects to mention here that Nike, Wood's sponsor, never dropped him. Perhaps because it doesn't fit neatly in his narrative of redemption.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that choosing to visit the White House and chumming with a president, not just this one but any one, can be called apolitical acts simply because you stay quiet about your political beliefs. I think it's a shame that Woods has chosen to bask in the accolades but remain silent on other things. We all know that one word of criticism from his mouth about Trump and there would never have been a medal of freedom around his neck, twisted ribbon or no. That's the kind of man Trump is.
Woods, of course, is a far better man than Trump (I realize that is a very low bar). His remarkable strength and endurance as well as his ability to mock himself - made perhaps a bit too much of here - all stand him in good stead. No one deserves a medal for simply trying to be a better person, and Trump's choice to bestow one on someone he perceives as his friend, is as purely opportunistic as anything else Trump does. Do I begrudge Woods the medal? Not at all. But it doesn't mean anything in itself. Only Woods story of being a better person - and father - not a better golfer - makes his story a triumph rather than a travesty.
3
Here's what Tiger Woods said about Donald Trump in August 2018:
"Well, he's the president of the United States. You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.''
That would be a reasonable thing to say if Donald Trump respected the office of the Presidency, which Trump clearly does not.
Tiger may be a fine golfer, but his judgement, his morality and and his humanity have always been off to me.
Keep working, Tiger....you still have a long recovery ahead of you as a human being.
58
His comeback was impressive. I will give him credit for that, nothing is worse than coping with a bad back, but besides golf what does has he done to contribute to society to merit such an award? That medal will always be tarnished with the stain of a toddler for president.
10
@Hans Delbruk Well his foundation has educated hundreds of children at its multiple campuses in the STEM subjects and sent many of them to college. Look up the Tiger Woods Scholars if you want to learn more about the truly amazing work his foundation has done. It is remarkable!
2
Mr. Wood’s sociopolitical behavior so strongly contrasts with the human rights protest of clenched fists by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics that it seems to parody it.
1
This article has a really unkind undertone to it. Tiger’s tooth was knocked out by a reckless cameraman who hit Tiger in his face with his camera. Tiger was being lighthearted by sharing a photo of himself meant to entertain his children. People noticed his medal wasn’t straight but the reason no one moved to adjust it was because they would have been tackled by the Secret Service had they attempted to approach Trump. As for him being awarded the medal from Trump, the author is assuming he even had the chance to agree to accept it instead of questioning whether Trump just announced that he would be bestowing it upon Tiger. Tiger’s comeback is absolutely worthy of study and discussion, but this article doesn’t take us any further on the subject.
18
I wish Tiger hadn’t given in to Trump’s offer of the Presidential Medal of Honor. But he did and he’s human just like the rest of us. We all have our shortcomings as Tiger has shown and we are all capable of coming back from them. We all should be able to forgive shortcomings of others as many of us have done with Tiger. And I forgive the editor of this article for not having the discipline to catch the misuse of the word disciple in this article. 😉
“The epitome of disciple...”
If only our president had the same discipline and humility as Tiger we’d all be better off. Admit mistakes, learn from them and work hard to become a better citizen, athlete or political figure.
1
At a time when so many other leading athletes are taking stands against injustice, Tiger's doing the opposite by visiting the White House and playing golf with Trump. No one says that a famous athlete or any other public figure must take political stands. Most don't. But for goodness sake, associating with Trump in these ways just lends credibility to his bigotry, nativism, misogyny, dishonesty, corruption....the list goes on.
Whether intentionally or just as a byproduct of his excellence as a golfer, Tiger broke down some barriers and stereotypes. By now buttressing Trump, Tiger is helping Trump to do the opposite. He should know better. Shame on him that he doesn't know or doesn't care.
12
I am willing to bet the author wishes he had half the talent and gumption as Tiger Woods.
Of course Tiger has a flawed character; everyone in the world saw that spelled out on TV and in the tabloids. Has he attempted to make up for his failings? Looks like it to me. Has he coped for years with extraordinary medical challenges? Yep. Has he long supported efforts to bring poor kids into the very expensive sport of golf? Affirmative. Does he support other worthy endeavors? Roger that.
Tiger’s brand is so big and strong (how many major wins and green jackets?) that he can pretty much hang with anyone he wants. Bashing those who associate with President Trump is all the fashion these days, but trying to denigrate Tiger for associating with the President is a fool’s errand.
8
Sad. He gets way, way too much coverage on TV. They all don't seem to know who else to talk about if he's in a tournament, no matter how well he's playing. Not only do we have to see every shot he plays, but we are treated with seeing repeats of those shots over and over, again no matter where he's at in relation to the lead. Thank god there's fast forward and mute. He gets more mentions and views, by probably a factor of 2 or 3, than any other player unless he misses the cut. I often wonder if he owns a big piece of the Golf Channel like Arnold Palmer did at one time before he passed RIP. Golf was very enjoyable to watch when he wasn't playing. There are some very good young players in the game today who seem to enjoy each others company and celebrate each others victories and good play, that are fun to watch. I'll give that to Tiger, he seems to be having more fun playing the game, it is a game after all, and they are all very lucky multi-millionaires. It may not be his fault that the networks have a hard time talking about anyone else. It's a great sport to watch, esp. for someone that had played the game, and nothing can touch it for what it does for charities. Tiger is a part of that no doubt, but so is Jack and now most of the young players who are following Jack's charitable example. The tour has donated over 2 billion while Jack has raised over 100 million for children's hospitals. Tiger may earn that medal yet, I hope he does. if his smile is an indication, he might.
2
“But here he is, basking in adulation, smiling with President Trump, defying his sport’s and society’s expectations.” Defying those expectations according to who? Those who hate President Trump?
You have got to be kidding! Tiger Woods’ story is a testament to the human spirit and inner strength of Tiger Woods and his victory over what at the time was utter humiliation as well as serious medical set backs. If this had occurred with Tiger smiling with President Obama while being awarded the Metal of Freedom, would he have “defied his sport’s and society’s expectations?”
I doubt it!
4
I have no respect for Tiger Woods anymore. To accept a medal from Trump is reprehensible. Hope he is never competitive in a golf tournament again and retires in obscurity.
8
@Horace You know that he just won the Masters, right?
6
"defying his sport’s and society’s expectations."
By "society" the author of course means only himself and people like him, right? But who are then those other people who have the nerve to disagree with Mr. Morris?
1
"He’s spent a decade as a divorced philanderer with a pill problem and a sex addiction"
Right, and he's probably the first golfer on tour to cheat on his wife. Never before has anyone heard of an athlete famous or not having extramarital affairs that might have caused the end of someone's marriage. Anyone really think the golden bear or Arnie never looked away and acted upon it. Tom Watson certainly did and his wife will attest to that. The fact is the guy messed up and he did it publicly, paid the price both in his family and in his pocket and somehow was forced to come on tv to beg forgiveness. I think that's enough.
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@Carlton, none of the golfers you mentioned entered into a Nike Marriage/Fatherhood.
The guy hits a ball for a living. He doesn't cure cancer. He doesn't do anything in science, engineering or technology. He is an entertainer. You can assign any value to what he does because it is fundamentally meaningless.
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He’s also taken much of the proceeds of his entertainment and used it to education hundreds of thousands, of not millions of kids through the Tiger Woods Foundation. Google it. What have you done for the world?
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@Keith Dow His foundation, the TGR Foundation, is devoted to educating children in the STEM subjects and then sending them to college. He has educated hundreds of children, some of whom are now adults working at NASA. Your comment is totally wrong.
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I am sure the smug author wishes he had half the talent and gumption as Tiger Woods. And what a clever idea to build a story around the fact that Tiger’s medal ribbon was twisted; certain to win a Pulitzer, right?
Of course Tiger has a flawed character; everyone in the world saw that spelled out on TV and in the tabloids. Has he attempted to make up for his failings? Looks like it to me. Has he coped for years with extraordinary medical challenges? Yep. Has he long supported efforts to bring poor kids into the very expensive sport of golf? Affirmative. Does he support other worthy endeavors? Roger that. I missed what it was the author has done to help others or to qualify to take on Tiger in the press.
Tiger’s brand is so big and strong (how many major wins and green jackets?) that he can pretty much hang with anyone he wants. Bashing those who associate with President Trump is all the fashion these days, but trying to denigrate Tiger for associating with the President is a fool’s errand.
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Wait a minute: a presidential medal for merely (I use that word on purpose) being an excellent golfer?
What am I missing?
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Woods did win the game fair and square. A great master at golf, unfortunately not in personal affairs. But he has paid the price; not every master does. Let's not compare him with the man who couldn't even put the medal on hm without twisting the ribbon.
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If it weren't for that "smiling with President Trump" part, a lot more Americans would feel good for Woods.
I used to. Not any more.
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By executive order, the Medal is for "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors".
Is that really Tiger? His is a great sports comeback story. Nothing more, nothing less. He has not opened his sport to a broader spectrum, or changed public perceptions, in the manner of a Jackie Robinson, Mohammed Ali or Billie Jean King.
Trump also gave the award to Roger Staubach - another terrific athlete, and a patriotic American. But is he really anything more?
Its hard to avoid the suspicion that Trump is picking the most famous names he can find who are willing to take their picture with him.
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@nub
Yes, but also the most famous names who have contributed nothing of lasting importance. The medal for Jonas Salk, for instance, honors work that helped a good number of people across the world. Tiger and Staubach up there with Jonas Salk? A. Philip Randolph ? Margaret Thatcher (who had some importance) and the Apollo 13 astronauts (who risked their lives)?
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@Thomas Zaslavsky
BTW, to avoid misunderstanding, I wish Tiger well, am happy to see him returning to form (and I hope maturing personally), and will cheer him on if he does break the Nicklaus record. He had a great effect on golf, lifting the level of professional play. But the Presidential Medal of Freedom? Really!
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@Thomas Zaslavsky
Arnold Palmer got it , no one said a word.
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