What Tiger Woods could learn from Michael Vick

Well, that's easy.  How to handle a public apology.  I realize Vick remains a divisive figure, but the consensus is he handled his return with as much poise and sincere apology as possible.  In addition to being contrite Vick took questions from the Philly media and followed that with a powerful interview with James Brown on that Sunday's 60 Minutes.  While not a complete hater, I was definitely in the "I understand why Goodel had to reinstate him, but I don't wish him success" camp.  But that presser changed things.  In a mere 40 minutes, he changed from villain to a sad Wire-esque character who never knew any circles that didn't lead you down the inevitable path of criminal.  I'm not saying I became the biggest Vick fan that day, but the lens I viewed him through changed from disgust to intrigue.

 

Not so with Tiger Woods.  By the way he has handled his upcoming presser, he already gets an 'F.' Perhaps Vick was helped out by the fact that he joined an NFL team with arguably the best pr staff around.  But he also hired the right crisis management people as well, including a respected mentor in Tony Dungy.  Tiger, for his billion dollars and pre-existing "powerhouse" team, chooses to make a statement in front of pre-selected media members.  There is a rumor circulating that Michael Jordan will be at the presser today.  Is MJ supposed to serve as some type of mentor to Tger and his sex addiction problem?  That could be the ultimate joke.  Why not bring Wilt Chamberlain back from the dead while you're at it!   But the Tony Dungy lesson is a good one.  Not sure who is golf's equivalent - Jack? Arnie? Gary Player? - but Tiger is ultimately a child in need of a father figure (preferably, one who is not a male whore)

 

 

Granted the fans will ultimately decide, but he has alienated much of the media (including the Golf Writers Association of America), and fellow golfers like Ernie Els are speaking out about the shady timing.  You may think it's unfair to compare Vick's crime which landed him in jail and Tiger's crime which may not even result in divorce, but I have many church going friends who have argued that Tiger has garnered a conviction in the ultimate court.  Unless he really shocks us later today, I will no longer be watching his golf game with intrigue: I will root against him.