Got A Tiger By His Tale

This whole Tiger Woods accident thing is getting really, really strange...but not as strange as the "apology" on the golfer's official website.  Paul at LG&M runs down the details:

The Tiger Woods incident provides an interesting glimpse into the world of celebrity image making, and the corporate and media interests that enable it. Woods got into a minor car accident early Friday morning after he was apparently attacked by his enraged wife. She seems to have smashed in the back window of his SUV with a couple of golf clubs as he tried to flee their home at 2:30 AM. Woods was found lying in the street drifting in and out of consciousness and suffering from facial lacerations, raising questions regarding whether the window was the only thing his wife connected with. Woods is refusing to talk to the police, which isn't surprising, given that a truthful account of the proceedings would probably require his wife to be charged with committing domestic violence.

An estranged wife, a broken rear window on an SUV, and Tiger out in the street after the incident...I can understand feeling guilty and trying to protect the woman you're married to.  But Paul does have a damn good point:

The most ridiculous feature of the statement is his whining plea for "privacy." Tiger Woods has become a billionaire by marketing himself so assidiously that he's now the most recognizable athlete, and indeed one of the most recognizable people, in the world. His vast wealth (less than 10% of which has been earned directly through his athletic achievements) is a product of making himself into a kind of human logo, that corporations pay him immense amounts to attach to their products. They find it profitable to do so because of the preposterous yet very widespread idea that athletic excellence somehow reflects well on a person's character and general value as a human being. Tiger Woods alleged adultery has nothing to do with his ability to excel on the golf course, but has everything to do with his ability to market himself as some kind of exemplary person, whose putative preferences in regard to cars and accounting firms and watches should influence your view of these products, and the corporations that produce them.

Agreed.  Tiger made himself a public icon that transcended the sport of golf and even sport in general.  Tiger Woods was less of a man than he was a brand name.  Now that brand name is seriously tarnished.

Golf is a dangerous sport, apparently.  You'd think Tiger could afford better PR people.