Micheal Jordan and Tiger Woods Theory
Let me first start off by first saying I am not defending either of these athletes for the mistakes they have made throughout their sports career. Tiger Woods and Micheal Jordan have very close similarities. What is ironic is that they did not cheat (that we know of) within the means of the sport they have been crowned as “king of’, but rather their behaviors outside of the “playing field.” Both have left many fans and loved ones hurt, confused, enraged by their behavior. Both were at the top of their sport when their secret was revealed. Both tried to conceal it as long as possible. Both made a big mistake morally and have had to face the media and their business partners. Both scrutinized, but Tiger Woods has been getting more torture than Micheal Jordan. I have been contemplating this and it has got me thinking which is why I have written down a theory:
Two men who remain the best in their sport and set the bar extremely high for young and old athletes. Their performance in the sport was close to flawless, yet their personal life is what everyone seems to pick at and judge. But, Micheal Jordan is still Micheal Jordan and his reputation (for the most part) was not even close to being as jeopardized as Tiger’s is. Tiger Woods has become a mockery. Tiger Woods is no longer a great athlete, but a pathetic husband, role model, father. Micheal Jordan cheated with money, illegally gambled and admitted to having an addiction problem, and has been speculated to have several extramarital affairs. Somehow those things did not replace “Micheal Jordan” for who he is as an athlete. These two very similar individuals have been treated so differently by the public.
Tiger is one, but Micheal was part of many. The reprocussions of taking Micheal Jordan out of the game was much higher than taking Tiger out of the PGA. When allegations first started of Micheal’s gambling in 1992, much was at stake for the NBA. Here is the star of an already 2 time champion leading a team hotter than ever. If the media made a big deal about Micheal Jordans alleged gambling, the NBA, especially the Chicago Bulls would have been disasterous. Could you imagine putting Micheal Jordan under the microscope then as we are to Tiger Woods? Force Jordan to scrutiny that would alienate him and affect his game? They wouldn’t dare do such a thing that could ruin the reputation for the both the NBA and the $10 million revenue he brought in the NBA. So it was kept very low key. Jordan was suspended shortly while the investigation continued, but he was cleared to play just in time for their 3 peat. Micheal Jordan was protected in every sense of the word to avoid scrutiny being put against him. He was part of the whole picture not just one man. Had Micheal Jordan been a one man show, he would have faced what Tiger Woods is facing now.
Tiger Woods is one man and he is being put in the hot seat because he is responsible for his success and his success only. The PGA is getting plenty of money for the broadcasts and stories floating about his affairs. They don’t need Tiger to be doing well to earn the money. They just need him to be in public. I believe Tiger was paid a lot of money to make that apology. Did we ever see Micheal Jordan make a public apology? Of course not, he was protected to avoid the image of the NBA being destroyed. He walked away just in time to stop the investigations (which is still a contraversy). Cheating on your spouse is wrong. Excessive gambling is wrong. Gambling illegally based on the laws of an association is a serious offense. Micheal Jordan didn’t publicly apologize because he didn’t have to in order to keep his reputation. Tiger Woods apologized to try and rectify a reputation that is already gone. He has been revealed so harshly, there is no chance for him to be a role model. He is the victim of media exploitation and its over for him.
I think its time to let Tiger be. Why does the public need to forgive someone who dug his own grave? If anyone places his or her faith so deeply in an athlete and feels devastated about the disappointment, I think that says something for who our idols are. No one is perfect and celebrities are constantly put in the spotlight. Everything they do is evaluated. We know now that every mistake they make will be disclosed through the media. We can choose to listen and be affected by it or we can choose to accept that people mess up royally and the ones that are deeply affected aren’t watching the apology on tv. They are living it everyday. How about we stop getting mad at Tiger for something he did to himself and move on with our lives?
