Lessons From Tiger's Crash

I know . . . many of you are sick of hearing about Tiger’s Wood’s car (and life) crash. Honestly, I’ve not kept a close watch on his escapades, but it’s hard to miss the media frenzy caused by his indiscretions. Although there may be some Christian media outlets weighing in on Tiger’s troubles, I’d like to share my own observations.

Forgiveness

One public relations expert shared his wisdom regarding Tiger’s troubles. The first thing he would advise the famous golfer to do is seek forgiveness. It’s interesting that this specialist probably makes a nice income guiding sports figures on career decisions and smoothing over moments of reckless behavior, yet the counsel topping his damage control list is available for free from the Bible.

Another industry expert made his wise pronouncement: the sooner someone trapped in their own web of deceit confesses his or her lapse of moral judgment, the better it is for their image. Imagine that, another principle for careless sports celebrities is also nestled within the pages of the greatest book ever written.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)

One of the great things about being a Christian is the forgiveness available from God. But, seeking forgiveness from our loved ones, or those we’ve wronged is also important. Although they cannot offer us purity from unrighteousness, seeking a loved one's forgiveness is the first step to healing a fractured relationship. Forgiveness originates with God, but obviously, it has influence in the non-Christian and sports realms, too. Let’s hope Tiger employs this strategy.

Role Models

One issue surrounding Tiger’s monumental crash is his privacy, and the fact that an eager world watches while an equally enthusiastic press scavenges for the next tidbit. Unfortunately, public curiosity and media scrutiny are usually part of the deal when one is as talented and famous as Tiger. Right or wrong, fair or unfair, Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods; a role model.

Charles Barkley, a former NBA (National Basketball Association) great, believes that parents, not athletes, should be role models for their children. I agree, but the reality is that kids are much more likely to plaster a poster of a sports superstar on their bedroom wall instead of a life-sized photo of mom and pop.

Whether a famous sports figure is a reluctant hero or one who adores the accolades of a million adoring kids, they garner the attention of many young fans. Like it or not, being a role model often accompanies the life of a beloved sports figure, and some athletes wear it better than others.

…from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48)

Although this principle is used in the Bible in context of the master/slave dynamic, it is a concept that both believers and non-believers can relate. Whether one is an athlete, celebrity, politician, author, business mogul, the reality is that someone, somewhere admires them. These individuals are blessed beyond what most of us can even imagine, so is it wrong for them to be a good example in the public arena? We need more role models like Kurt Warner who has a Cinderella story that landed him in the NFL (National Football League) and a couple of Super Bowls.

What Now?

Tabloids, entertainment shows, and even serious news outlets are tracking the famous golfer like he is a Bengal Tiger stalking the streets of Florida. Tiger crashed with a vengeance and because he is the most well-known athlete in the world the public wants, and the media is reporting, his story.

Reporters, anchors, and entertainment show hosts all ponder the unknown elements of the three-ring circus surrounding Tiger. They speculate on his career, his endorsements, and even the future of his marriage. However, I’ve not heard one main-stream media guru predicting Tiger coming out of this a man changed for the better. I suppose a positive outcome isn’t as juicy as a tumble into the gutters.

Jesus once stuck up for an adulterous woman caught in a moment of indiscretion. As a woman, I wonder where Casanova skulked off to before the community chastised only her, but at least Jesus was there. He could find no one pure enough to cast the first stone, and soon everyone in the crowd left the scene. Jesus and the adulterous woman were the only ones present.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)

People are quick to pass judgment. We are also quick to imagine the worst, and all too often when it involves someone else, we shake our heads while happily imagining worse case scenarios in the dark corners of our minds (or broadcasting them in our neighborhoods or on network TV for those with such an outlet.)

Tiger has a long road to travel. I don’t know if he is Christian or not, but it will likely be lonely if everyone abandons him. What now? What is he going to do? Maybe he’ll learn those hard lessons and become a better man. It’s possible, but it isn’t a picture that many with a TV camera or a national megaphone paint.

Practical Christianity doesn’t rejoice when someone stumbles, or in Tiger’s case, falls hard. We can pray for Tiger to mend his ways in whatever ways they need to be mended. We can pray for the innocent family members whose lives he has devastated with his terrible choices. And we can pray that we can learn the following from Tiger’s crash: