It is quite amazing how much media time and coverage is dedicated to tabloid news, rumors and reality shows. Of course the fact a large percentage of our populations follows those stories does not help.
Did Tiger screw up and do we have the right to dig into his personal life to find out all the details? Some will argue that with all the millions he is being paid we can hold him to a higher standard and maybe the companies paying him to represent them feel the same way – or they may not.
Marriage in general does not mean what it used to – in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy…. It does not seem to matter anymore like it did for our parents. They fought through their issues, ignored them or just figured that’s how it is. Nowadays people just give up and move on. I have no idea which is better and who is happier.
The divorce rate in the US is between 41-50% in the last few years, but the statistics in pro sports and the entertainment industry are staggering! There are estimates out there of over 70% and possible up to 90% in pro sports. I personally must say that a vast majority of all the players I played with and against are no longer with their spouses from back then.
But are they so different than other successful people on top of their respective industries? There are roughly 340 NBA players every year – the best 340 in the world! To get there is almost like becoming the CEO of a big company. You cannot be an average guy. You have to be talented, driven and maybe a little crazy or off-center.
The emotional and physical highs and lows a player is able to experience are immensely different than inking a big deal in a board room. Those feelings are almost impossible to duplicate. Just imagine making that impossible shot to win a game in front of 20k life spectators and millions more on TV against a big rival in the play-offs. When and where will you get that feeling again and especially after you are done playing? You see guys get in trouble for gambling, racing their cars, women, drugs or getting in physical confrontations. Are they looking to duplicate those moments or at least get close to it? When the most memorable moments in your life are determined by adrenalin and testosterone levels it is a challenge to chill out and be “normal”.
With money and fame everything that can get you in trouble is available all the time – women, cars, parties, drugs, etc. I am not excusing the behavior, but don’t expect above the norm performance from all without below the norm behavior from some.
As far as Tiger is concerned he has not really hurt anyone but himself and his family so far. People and especially kids who see him as a role model might be disappointed, but why do we expect more from him that from any other married man? In reality half of us are divorced and I am sure we all have divorced friends – do we judge us or them like we judge Tiger?
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I'm not sure the point is whether we as fans are "judging" Tiger . . . the point is fans live vicariously through their sporting "heroes". For some its just interesting/tittilating drama, others who looked upon him as a role model are disappointed. I'm sure there are some who are judging him . . . but remember, his image that has made him many millions of dollars, is partly based upon him as a family man. Careful choreography of his relationships with his father, mother, wife, and kids have helped make him the endorser that he is. His "transgressions" while hurtful to his family and himself can also be hurtful to his fans who now have to view his image as flawed at best . . . phony and hypocritical at worst.
ReplyDeleteGreat perspective, Det. Short of doing something criminal, I don't understand why people care about the personal lives of athletes or celebrities in general. At the same time, if some politician, religious leader or athlete makes their living off of putting themselves on some moral pedestal, they invite being held to a higher standard.
ReplyDeleteI have had nowhere near the exposure to world class athletes that you have but have had some as a collegiate athlete (actually at the same time as you at UW as an average track & field athlete) and in other venues. You rightfully point out in so many words how they are what I call "freaks of nature" (meant in a good way). Not only are they physically gifted but have mental toughness that is hard for most to imagine and are generally singularly driven. One shouldn't be surprised if that singular focus and the accompanying adulation doesn't have some negative side effects. It's the exception when they can have that AND also have a great family and personal life. Hats off to those who pull that off.
it's simple human nature, if you get tempted enough, 90% of the time you'll eventually bite, even those who hold athletes on higher "moral" grounds are no exception..
ReplyDeleteThe same ones that overly praised Tiger before are the same ones that are now criticizing him. They were not serious before, and they are not serious now. Many would rather see a man fall to pieces than lend a hand (Schadenfreude). The only people affected in this are his family like you said before and they should do what is best for them.
ReplyDeleteI personally think we should leave the man alone. I hate the celebrity scrutiny.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments - amazing that the news won't let up, but a great lesson to everyone, celebrity or not. Be true to yourself!
ReplyDeleteWhat I dislike the most in the Tiger Woods scandal is the sanctimonious tone that the media adopts when discussing the story. There is so much feigned sympathy for his wife. However, if they were really as sympathetic to her as they like to appear, they would give her the privacy she so clearly wants and back off the story. It's as if they want to crusade on her behalf and exploit her at the same time, so she suffers doubly.
ReplyDelete(random aside about divorce rates: if you look at rates based on the age of people when they get married, it makes a huge difference. People who get married in their 20s are far more likely to divorce than those who marry in their 30s or older. I am trying to use this to reassure my mother who very much wants her only daughter married pronto. I tell her I'm holding out for better odds.)
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