Tiger's Confession

You pretty much have to read this statement from Tiger Woods' website as a confession that at least some of the rumors surrounding possible extramarital affairs are true:

I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

From a P.R. perspective this is pretty damaging, though I doubt he'll suffer any loss in terms of his endorsements. None of those companies chose him because of his family life, they chose him because of his abilities on the golf course. I'm assuming he'll still be a great golfer when this is all done and will still be a top draw and any event in which he participates.

As far as what happened that night at his house, he's absolutely right to keep quiet about the details, especially if an admission of the truth would possibly result in the arrest of his wife. If he chooses to close out the world for awhile that probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

There will be a ding in his image, that's for sure. My dad loved Tiger and watched him play every chance he got. Even when he was in the hospital in August he spent most of several days watching Tiger lead the PGA and head toward a sure win, only to see Tiger suffer a collapse during the final round and finish second. Dad was disappointed that day, and if he were here today, he'd be very disappointed in Tiger's personal life decisions.