Boilermaker Rick wrote:
I know this is a dumb question but what exactly has Tiger done?
He's cheated on his wife. He's probably going to get a divorce. He had a domestic violence episode where he wasn't at fault. He may have taken some prescription pills.
He's basically become a rich white guy.
it's not a scientific answer...but the perception of a golfer is different than most other athletes. there is a strong tradition of the importance of family as well as the tour--in fact sometimes moreso with the the former than the latter.
tiger also had an image, much like kobe, that has been completely tarnished...even worse than kobe's because this wasn't a one-time thing. in a way, it is like finding out santa claus isn't real. now you can say what you want about those who thought this guy was perfect in every way and flawless but he had a very clean image. and now he looks like a selfish scumbag.
i have a feeling some of this was driven by his father's death. or at least, that would be some of his excuse. i get the feeling he wouldn't have tried this when his dad was alive. i guess that would fall apart if these go back to before '06 but i haven't read enough about it to know how far they go back (if that's been revealed yet).
bottom line: he's seen as a role model.
i have no sympathy for him personally. and i honestly don't know if i'll root for him again. especially if he just tried to ride this out.
Almost nothing can be worse than being accused of RAPE! Tiger is wrong for what he did but he would never potentially go to jail for it.