Leave Me Alone, No Thanks

As if you haven’t heard enough about Tiger in the past week. I promise, I’ll spare you. This post won’t be about him … Just kidding. This post is about Tiger. Just like Tiger, I break promises.

I will, however, refrain from in-depth details that you’ve probably already read. If you need them, check reputable news outlets TMZ and US Weekly. Bottom line, Tiger’s sorry for his “transgressions”. And by transgressions, he means getting caught. He’s real sorry he got caught. He’s also REAL pissed his privacy is gone. From his first statement it’s clear he understands the curiosity into his “accident”, but c’mon people, it’s a private matter! He admits the crash was his fault, and definitely not that of anyone chasing his Escalade with a 3-iron (sorry, no offense to Elin, she’s a victim, but let’s silence the violence people!). He did say he will “certainly make sure this doesn't happen again." And by “this”, he obviously means getting caught.

It’s apparent what Tiger did was wrong. I mean, did you see these chicks? Jamiee Grubbs? Her last name is oh so fitting. Whether it’s grubbing for attention, or grubbing for money, this girl’s … you guessed it … a grub. (When you’ve been in the spotlight for five minutes, and someone’s already touting a sex tape, you know you got issues). It’s clear sexting Grubbs was wrong. I kid though. The reason it was wrong isn’t because Elin Nordegren wouldn’t wipe her ass with any of these floozies. It's wrong because of all the things we learn about honesty and loyalty when we’re young.

I’m done with the act itself though. Although it may not seem that way, this post has a completely different message. It’s about Tiger’s plea for privacy. Tiger asking the public to leave him alone, and let him handle his business at home? It doesn’t fly with me. I’ve heard many people say that this needs to stay out of the media, and that it’s not right for us to publicize a private life. I understand where that opinion is coming from. I sure as hell wouldn’t want my business all over the place. But then again, I live by the theory that we should only do things that we’d want “our Moms and the New York Times” to find out about.

Overall I’d have to say that private lives deserve to be private. But not Tiger’s.

I don’t believe that's a double standard either. It has to do with how Tiger got where he is today. I strongly believe that if you use your PERSONA to make redonkulous amounts of money, then this sort of thing not only comes with the territory, but should be expected. I’m sick of hearing anything from people who want themselves in your living room when they’re on TV playing golf, or on TV selling you razors, or on TV selling you credit cards, or on TV selling you Gatorade, and want you to see them on the news when they’re opening up a new golf academy for underprivileged kids, and want you playing their video game, but want out of your living room as soon as they're fucking up. Tiger Woods is a BRAND, people! And he sells himself as a person, a good person who’s a role model, and a profitable choice to represent many products. That is why it is ridiculous for him to think people should leave him alone when negative press happens. There are flaws in his persona, and these flaws are important for consumers and potenetial business partners to know about.

I’m all for taking it easy on victims (dragging Elin through the media, isn’t what I’m suggesting), but I have to be real. This analogy is a stretch, but take a publically traded company for example. A toy company that sells itself as a maker of safe, fun, learning toys. This toy company is doing so well, its image is impeccable, and profits are through the roof. Well, one day they cut some corners and a bunch of lead paint gets into the toys, and they make it out to the market. The story breaks in the news that kids are getting sick and dying from the toys. People are coming out of the woodwork to speak out against the company. So what does the company do? They issue a statement on their website that says: “We apologize for some recent transgressions, and we promise they wont happen again, while we understand the curiousity, we’d appreciate privacy while we deal with these transgressions behind closed doors.” Now, I told you this was a stretch, but work with me. Tiger Woods is not making money just by being a golfer, he’s making money by being the person that he is as a brand (flaws and all). But when a mistake tarnishes the brand like this, you can’t tell people to leave the brand alone. Unless of course, you’d rather not be a brand.