As a sports historian, many supposed “heroes” have either fallen from grace, or did some unsavory things that tarnished their image. In no other period in our sports history did the sportswriters or the media in general write anything to dispel the larger than life personas of America’s “heroes.” Why we ever considered these men and women with their particular talents for various recreational endeavors above reproach is beyond me. However, it seems here in the 21st Century, we’re making up for lost time. The media not only publishes or airs any human frailty, misgiving, or transgression; but leaving no stone unturned to unearth those acts seems to be a very high priority.
These “heroes” are held to a different set of standards than we are. How come? Is it just because they’re celebrities? And if they’re so famous for only for their achievements on the field of competition, what makes that ground for exalted status? Why is it when they fall from this unrealistic lofty perch, society waggles their fingers, and shakes their head in disappointment and disbelief? Unless you live on, or in Uranus, somewhere you’ve seen, read, or heard about the Trials of Eldrick “Tiger” Woods. There has not been such a circus like atmosphere surrounding a “news item” since the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. But remember, flagpole sitting made front page news back then. Has so much changed?
When the story first broke about Tiger Woods having a car accident outside his home in Windermere, Florida; the first thought that crossed my head was, “I hope he’s not hurt.” After it had been confirmed that he indeed was alright, I thought, “What a dumb ass.” That’s about the same reaction I’d have if any friend of mine had a car accident. I would even call to see if there was anything I could do for them, but not to them for Christ’s sake.. Our culture, as seen by the conflicting initial reports, wanted oh so much more. As more information trickled in, many questions arose that I’m here to tell you, I pretty much don’t give a shit about. So much so in fact, I won’t delve into them here. Besides, you’ve probably heard them all already. Here is something you may not have heard.
Did you know that Babe Ruth, arguably the greatest and most famous figure in the history of American sport, frequently had sex with multiple partners…at the same time…none of whom was his wife? Did you know that for all intents and purposes he was also a drunk? You know Mickey Mantle was one. Does now knowing that diminish either’s stature in your eyes? Did you know that Ty Cobb reportedly once killed a man? Did you know that Bill Tilden was gay? Did you know that Thomas Jefferson often had sex with his slaves? Hell, there was a time the majority of people in America didn’t know he even owned slaves; much less was fornicating with them. All of the above information came out long after these men were dead and buried.
In this day and age, we know that Bill Clinton had sex with someone other than his wife. We know that Pete Rose was a tax cheat. We know that Pete Rose bet on baseball. We know that a slew of Major League Baseball stars took drugs. However, we also know many of our friends and acquaintances who’ve cheated on their taxes, bet on sports, taken drugs, had affairs, and we still love them. Many of us might not even think any the less of them for doing any of those things. The difference is that none of our friend’s lives play out on television and in the newspapers. Friend’s we know, we only know the image projected by the others. This is the caveat concerning “Tigergate.”
The public that’s admonishing Tiger for his dalliances think they know Tiger Woods, when in reality we know nothing about him outside his golf game, charity work, and whose products he endorses. Based on that, America made him their hero, please; get a life. What has happened to Tiger should draw no more than a “Geez that’s too bad,” instead of a fall from grace, if there was any grace in the first place. But to be inundated from every “news” source available every day for the past two weeks to me, is nauseating.
I have done everything in my power to avoid any more than a passing exposure to such trite. I don’t find an insatiable need to read every piece of tabloid journalism, watch every version of Inside Edition, or worse yet, watch both the local and national news coverage of what is no more than a moral and ethical train wreck. When moral and ethical standards in this country become a topic of conversation we should look at Bernie Madoff and Scott Rothstein. Those two men bilked people out of their life savings to support a lavish lifestyle. The only thing Tiger took was maybe some delusional innocence. Whose lives were ruined by what he’s done, besides members of his family? Those holier than thou will say, kids who looked up to him. I say shame on those who instructed kids to put him on such a high pedestal.
Clint Eastwood, he the father of seven children by five different women, none of whom he was married to, never saw this type of media scrutiny. Fellow golfer Fred Couples, noted philanderer; had a very messy public divorce I’m quite sure many of you reading this never heard about. Yet, Freddy is one of the most beloved golfers on the PGA Tour. He is held in high esteem by other players and a loyal following. John Daly has made a living off of his tabloid life playing out in the tabloids, but as the “everyman,” still commands huge galleries. We watched him in tears withdrawing from alcohol while playing in a golf tournament. We saw his playing partner put his arm around him to help console him. We’ve heard about his Country & Western song “All My Exes Wear Rolexes.” Being the glutton for punishment that he is, after Daly records this tune, he marries yet again, this time to a felon. Granted, Daly has lost many big endorsements, his shirt now festooned with logos from companies like 84 Lumber and Hooter’s, and yet his galleries are huge because we can relate to him. Am I missing something?
Let’s take Tiger Woods for face value. He has donated his winnings from golf tournaments for several years now. He has started a very exclusive school for gifted inner city kids who would otherwise languish in the woefully neglected urban public school system. When Tiger was once asked if he could play one round of golf with anyone in history whom would he choose, Tiger said his father. This is the Tiger I see, not the one currently being portrayed.
Women can call him a cur. They can say how could he do such a thing. But what about the women who sold their souls for their fifteen minutes of fame? The company’s whose products he endorses better think twice before releasing him from his contract, particularly amid this media frenzy; he’s not O.J. He’s just a golfer.
Bertolt Brecht, the accomplished German poet, playwright, and director once said, “Pity the land who needs heroes.” Our societies problem is not so much we need them, as crave them. If we think about it, if we all treated each other the way we’d like to be treated, we’d all be heroes, and thereby no one would be a hero, rendering heroic status moot. So the next time someone who hasn’t sinned wants to cast that first stone, make sure you go outside, you don’t want to break one of the windows of that glass house.
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