| Unlike many other sports superstars | | | | African-American and that while he is |
| Tiger Woods has never been a man to | | | | fully famous he has never been an |
| surround himself in controversy. He's | | | | outspoken individual on any kind of |
| not out late with the paparazzi | | | | issues other than those that directly |
| following him. He's not shedding tears | | | | affect his swing. They forget that just |
| on national television over other | | | | because he's a superstar, he never |
| players. He is not giving his opinions | | | | signed up to be anyone's political |
| on Tom Cruise or Britney Spears to | | | | mouthpiece. He has and always will be a |
| tabloids and he is certainly not giving | | | | classy gentleman who tends to let the |
| opinions on race relations in | | | | media crash and burn in their own |
| professional golf or otherwise. | | | | controversies. |
| Woods has never been especially vocal | | | | In this instance Woods handled the |
| about his opinions on anything other | | | | situation both professionally and with |
| than the game of golf. In fact, while he | | | | poise. It's a no-brainer that what Kelly |
| is on the brink of making history at the | | | | Tilghman said was deplorable or that the |
| Buick Invitational, Woods remains an | | | | cover of Golfweek was distasteful. |
| enigma to many that regard him as a | | | | Anyone can see that. There was no need |
| cultural icon who could make a bigger | | | | to be melodramatic about it because in |
| impact on social issues. | | | | the end, it all worked itself out, minus |
| In the past few weeks Woods has been | | | | any protests, boycotts or visits from |
| subjected to close scrutiny by both the | | | | the Reverend Al Sharpton. Woods handled |
| media and by other celebs in light of | | | | the incident like a man, albeit a quiet |
| some culturally insensitive "lynch" | | | | one. Above all he handled it with class. |
| remarks made by Golf Channel anchor | | | | Woods knows all too well that incidents |
| Kelly Tilghman and also by the recent | | | | of a racial nature only derive their |
| controversial "noose" cover of Golfweek | | | | power from fear, ignorance and undying |
| magazine. | | | | media attention. Woods doesn't have to |
| Woods seemed virtually unshaken by | | | | speak out against the absurdity of the |
| either incident and called the Tilghman | | | | media using words like "lynch" or |
| remark a "non-issue." Much to the dismay | | | | putting nooses on the covers of glossy |
| of those waiting for a racial powder keg | | | | magazines - they are absurd enough on |
| to explode Woods remained calm, composed | | | | their own. |
| and cool throughout both ordeals, | | | | Woods is like any other sports superstar |
| pausing only to reflect publicly when | | | | who is paid massive sums of money from |
| prodded repeatedly through media | | | | sponsors to uphold a certain image. |
| pressure and outspoken sports | | | | People in that world generally do not |
| commentators across the country. | | | | support social issues. Were Woods not |
| Jim Brown, former professional | | | | African-American would there be such |
| African-American football star, stated | | | | pressure to make a stand? Certainly Jack |
| that he thinks Woods should stand up for | | | | Nicklaus was never asked to speak out |
| not only himself but for Black athletes | | | | against racial injustices in the golf |
| in general but Woods isn't budging. He | | | | world, so why Tiger? |
| accepted an apology from Tilghman and | | | | Woods is no stranger to influence or |
| said that the two are old friends and | | | | power, especially in the universe of |
| that he knows she did not mean anything | | | | professional golf. Certainly, had he |
| harmful in her remarks. | | | | pressed the issue, Kelly Tilghman would |
| Many like Brown have suggested that | | | | be fired. Regardless of what people |
| Woods could have done more to be | | | | outside the world of golf think of him |
| socially responsible. Woods is fully | | | | he is as socially responsible as he |
| aware of those that would have him be a | | | | needs to be. He has often referred to |
| champion of racial injustices. He has | | | | his foundation and work with children as |
| stated before that he will not go down | | | | being very socially responsible and |
| that road and feels the so-called | | | | important to him. The Tiger Woods |
| controversy regarding his stance on | | | | Learning Center in Anaheim has reached a |
| racial issues in modern golf is | | | | little over 16,000 kids in just two |
| media-driven. | | | | years and to Tiger, that's what matters |
| People forget that Woods is only part | | | | most. |