Idolizing Heros, Idolizing Tiger Woods

Being a golf fan, I have to admit that I have kept up with the Tiger Woods story over the last few days. It has been a story with strange events, many possible rumors, and few actual facts. However, it has caused each one of us to take a moment to think about life. Today, Tiger posted a statement on his website indicating that he was sorry about his "transgressions." What were his transgressions? We don't actually know. We can all guess and think we know. But, really is it any of our business?

We eat this story up because it is Tiger. He is one of the most famous people ever. However, there are some things I think we need to keep in mind when we reflect on this story. First, why do any of us who love sports move beyond the fact of "being impressed" with his sports abilities, to lifting him up as a hero. I think this is a struggle with all who love sports. We find someone we want to root for, and before we realize it, we idolize them. I'm not saying everyone loved him as their favorite golfer, but you can't deny that you often found yourself wanting him to break records and win tournaments by dropping putts on the 18th hole. We all idolized him in some sense.

Second, I want to ask what is the difference between Tiger, other sports heros, politicians, or any regular "Joe" who may have admitted that they have had affairs. Absolutely nothing. We make some people out to be a moral role model. But, why? Just because they are good at things we like, we shouldn't worship them. I don't know Tiger's ethical, moral, or spiritual views. And that brings up a good question. Why do I idolize his personal life like I do his athletic abilities? Who is Tiger? I watch him play golf. I saw him give a golf ball to a handicap kid. I saw him cuss out a photographer. I've seen him hug his children. I've seen him get excited. I've seen him be 100% human. But, I am 100% human. Aren't we all. I read a CBS Sports article that found a comment from a person who responded to Tiger on his website in total disappointment of Tiger. Yes, I think we are all disappointed. But, I think our disappointment comes from the way we idolized Tiger. He was our superhero. He was our role model in life for many people without even knowing it. And that is why we are all feeling apart of this story. Maybe the lesson learned, as I believed the author of the CBS article implied, it is our fault for idolizing any athlete.

We need to be careful who we place as heros. Tiger is still an incredible golfer. He is a hero in his golf ability. No one can question that fact. But, the hero he has become as a golfer for most people often becomes blurred with him as a personal hero in behavior, actions, and life. And that is what most people can't naturally separate. That is why so many are feeling sad and disappointed. But, the reality is that there will always be people who will fall to "transgressions." And I myself am not a perfect person. But, no one is. We all need to realize that point alone. Sin is sin. Honestly, we all need to first seek forgiveness from God and from others, especially those whom we have harmed. And I think, if I may be honest, people need to let Tiger and his family work through this time by themselves or with those they want support from. We all need to realize that humanity is held to standard that God has set. We are not perfect and all will fall short. But, we all hopefully will learn to forgive and forget. We will move on and learn from our mistakes. And in this moment, judging Tiger (though I'm not defending his actions) is something that none of us should do. It is our fault for idolizing Tiger's life the way we do. Maybe all of us will think twice about who we look to admire, cast as our hero, and yes, even idolize as a role model for our personal behaviors and beliefs.