Tiger Woods News Conference Friday

[iacas]

-- Tiger described his behavior as "irresponsible and selfish."
-- "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated."
-- "I have bitterly disappointed all of you ... I am so sorry."
-- "I thought I could get away with anything I wanted to ... I thought I was entitled ... I don't get to play by different rules."
-- "As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time."
-- "I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again."
-- "I do plan to return to golf one day, but I don't know when that will be."
-- "Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy."
-- "Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology."
-- Tiger Woods says he wants to get back to his Buddhist roots.
-- "I have bitterly disappointed all of you ... I am so sorry."
-- About the paparazzi: "Leave my wife and kids alone."
-- Tiger said he has never used performance enhancing drugs.
-- "Elin didn't hit me that night or any other night ... Elin deserves praise, not blame."

[Danny Noonan]

I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.

[ControlJunkie]

Well, not that this matters at all, but I found his apology heart felt. And of course, this still doesn't matter, but I forgive Tiger for what he did (not that I ever blamed him for anything or felt betrayed by him, nor did I feel I needed any kind of apology). I've been ready to move on for a while, and I am more than ready to see him tee it up on the PGA Tour so he can get owned by Y.E. Yang again.

You're not the only one that thinks it was heartfelt. As I flipped around after it was over, it seemed like each channel I turned it on had someone saying they thought it was sincere as well. While I personally don't create my opinions based off of those of the media, I'd have to think that if the general consensus believes that it was sincere and put a positive spin on it, it can only be a good thing and promote a quicker return to competition.

And I'm with you, I miss seeing him play too. It's definitely more exciting watching when he's there. Prime example was last weekend. It seemed like no one except for maybe Duval really wanted to win the AT&T.; If Tiger were there, you know it would be killer watching him making a charge to the top of the leaderboard while others struggle.

Why the need to ask him questions? What questions, exactly, do you want to ask him? This is a step he needed to take toward recovery. This was not a time to take questions.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this as well. It seems like some people want every single gory detail of his "transgressions". I mean, what do they expect? Him to come out and say "this one time, at band camp, I was hanging off of the ceiling fan, bangin it out with this really hot blonde"? It just seems like there aren't any questions that anyone could ask that could really add anything substantial.

[ryanf]

I dont think its an addiction either. If anything he is guilty of being a typical male. But in the hyper-sensitive culture we live in now it gets framed his way. If i were tiger i probably be out there taggin tail, too. I might have made classier choses of mistress, though. lol. Some of these reported flings are no where near as hot as his wife was..

I've known somebody that was/is a sex addict. Before that I would have easily written this off as an easy-out for Tiger. But I know it is real with the person I knew. The person is highly driven, very successful, very likable, everything going for them but they came this ---><---- close to ruining their entire life - marriage, family, business, etc. with sex addiction. Just as with Tiger it was his "secret" life before it all came crumbling down in an instant. It took lots of therapy and its never gone, but he's rebuilt himself to be able to deal with it. Similar to alcoholism, he'll never be "fixed" only be able to control it, instead of it controlling him. Hearing about the pervasiveness of Tiger's escapades lends credibility in my eyes to the idea that this is real sex addiction and not just a good excuse. We'll never be able to know for sure either way.

Just my $.02.

[groovezilla79]

Totally in the same boat with you Control Junkie. It's none of our business what he did with those women. He did what he needed to do by admitting it, getting help and apologizing to those he hurt directly. I hope he comes back sooner that later, but thats not for us to decide either.

[Acropo]

-- "I thought I could get away with anything I wanted to ... I thought I was entitled ... I don't get to play by different rules."

That's the one that I found potentially most interesting.

[Jay-Bird]

--

I can't imagine how clean a soul he must've been in a past life to come back as Tiger effing Woods. I doubt his next reincarnation will be anything great, he's received his reward on Earth and exploited it.

[steve8820]

I actually have less respect for Tiger now then I did before his press conference. It is a PR stunt and all about the $$$. I am really surprised that he caved to the throngs of people who stand to profit from "I am deeply sorry, I'm working on my addicition" Tiger Woods. Tiger doesn't owe anyone else other than his family an apology. I figured he understood that. It goes to show you that everyone has a price, even Tiger.........

[Dave H]

I've known somebody that was/is a sex addict. Before that I would have easily written this off as an easy-out for Tiger. But I know it is real with the person I knew. The person is highly driven, very successful, very likable, everything going for them but they came this ---><---- close to ruining their entire life - marriage, family, business, etc. with sex addiction. Just as with Tiger it was his "secret" life before it all came crumbling down in an instant. It took lots of therapy and its never gone, but he's rebuilt himself to be able to deal with it. Similar to alcoholism, he'll never be "fixed" only be able to control it, instead of it controlling him. Hearing about the pervasiveness of Tiger's escapades lends credibility in my eyes to the idea that this is real sex addiction and not just a good excuse. We'll never be able to know for sure either way.

I agree with this. Sex addiction (or call it something else if the word "addiction" bothers you) is a real problem for some people. The difference between regular guys like you and me and people that struggle with this problem is that we all fantasize about the same stuff, but we, the regular guys, are able to make a decision to not act on those thoughts, whereas someone who struggles with sex addiction can't say no regardless of the consequences to themselves or the people they love. Much like with any addict (drug, alcohol, gambling, etc.) it takes getting caught and hitting rock bottom before healing can begin because these people are in denial.

[ET-Taylor]

I think he has broken the four noble truths which Buddhists believe in

[grandaddy510]

I think he was sincere, and I agree with what he said that this matter is between a husband and a wife. Hopefully he just gets back to playing golf soon. I was hoping he would say he would be back by the Masters, but its still anyones guess. Even if some people have lost all respect for him, you can't deny that watching a big tourny is not the same without him.

[iacas]

I think he has broken the four noble truths which Buddhists believe in

Huh? You can't break truths.

1. Life means suffering. 2. The origin of suffering is attachment. 3. The cessation of suffering is attainable. 4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I've known somebody that was/is a sex addict. Before that I would have easily written this off as an easy-out for Tiger. But I know it is real with the person I knew. The person is highly driven, very successful, very likable, everything going for them but they came this ---><---- close to ruining their entire life - marriage, family, business, etc. with sex addiction. Just as with Tiger it was his "secret" life before it all came crumbling down in an instant. It took lots of therapy and its never gone, but he's rebuilt himself to be able to deal with it. Similar to alcoholism, he'll never be "fixed" only be able to control it, instead of it controlling him. Hearing about the pervasiveness of Tiger's escapades lends credibility in my eyes to the idea that this is real sex addiction and not just a good excuse. We'll never be able to know for sure either way.

I dont know anything about the specifics of sex addiction, so forgive any ingnorance i have about this. But the way i see it, wealth, fame, and power are afrodisiacas for woman in most of western culture. The more of each you got, the more they throw themselves at you. Some dudes can resist that for only so long, and tiger broke. Thats what i think was going on.

[Acropo]

"When I do return I need to make my behaviour more respectful to the game."

I'm really looking forward to seeing that realised.

(as has been said, his private life is between him and his family)

[DavidFehertysBike]

Huh? You can't break truths.

Sombody has read siddhartha..lol

[Greg]

Sex addiction or any other form of addiction drugs, alcohol etc, is a sign of a weak person. I see it all the time, people saying they cant quit smoking even though they know its one of the worst things they can to to themselves, i just dont understand how people can allow a drug to control them. Tiger is only strong on the course, outside of it, away from his people, he doesnt know how to act, very insecure person. I still would like to see him play as he's the best player ever and dont wish him harm or ill will in any way but it will take years to rebuild an image that he never really had, we all just assumed he was a great person, he was just a great golfer. We want to give him a pass for his behavior, no thats not how it works, just because a lot of people cheat doesnt make it ok, he took advantage of his fame and now he will never be perceived the same.

[DiverDown]

I agree with this. Sex addiction (or call it something else if the word "addiction" bothers you) is a real problem for some people. The difference between regular guys like you and me and people that struggle with this problem is that we all fantasize about the same stuff, but we, the regular guys, are able to make a decision to not act on those thoughts, whereas someone who struggles with sex addiction can't say no regardless of the consequences to themselves or the people they love. Much like with any addict (drug, alcohol, gambling, etc.) it takes getting caught and hitting rock bottom before healing can begin because these people are in denial.

Can't say no? So if a 300 pound woman with a beard asks him for sex he's going to do it? I obviously am going overboard with that question but I'm sure you get the point here. To me the person is unable, or unwilling more likely, to control a compulsion.

[Sandy Sammy]

Cheesey beyond belief.

What's Tiger Woods trying to do, be the next Michael Jackson.

The ending was embarrassing.