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Jewish World Review July 26, 2002/ 17 Menachem-Av, 5762
Marianne M. Jennings
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
Power corrupts, but sports corrupt absolutely. Professional athletes offer relentless "you know's," the connectors for their sentence fragments. Their only correct grammar and syntax are on their tattoos.
Mike Tyson is walking, mumbling, ear-biting evidence of the destructive power of professional sports. Its tentacles stretch into the neighborhood basketball courts, seizing the minds, hearts, and reason of the youth of America so that they aspire to Allen Iverson heights, or perhaps beyond his 14 felony counts.
Still, some sports figures shine. Lance Armstrong's triumph over cancer and those French and Italian racers with his bicycle brings cheer to the soul. NFL Phoenix Cardinal Pat Tillman gave up a $3.6 million contract for $18,000 per year and the chance to be an Army Ranger. Enter Tiger Woods.
Tiger won a place in my book of class acts when he declined to meet with President Clinton during the U.S. Open. Not one to be star-struck, particularly by Oval Office knaves, Tiger and his father just said no to the man who taught us of the confusion surrounding "is."
This past week has earned Tiger a place in my world record book. Despite daily pressure from a media determined to flog newsmakers into submission, Mr. Woods resisted the temptation to become one of those buffoon celebrities who spouts off about social issues. Alec Baldwin, Barbra Streisand, Rosie, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen and the now completely daft Woody Harrelson have injected themselves into politics, social issues and even the leadership of the Democratic party b y pontificating from their learned perches in the Screen Actors Guild.
Jessica Lange testified before Congress on farmers' plights because, logically, she played a farmer's wife in Country. Meryl Streep testified for the children of America on Alar and apples because she made a choice as Sophie? Died as Karen Silkwood? Or was it because she was the French lieutenant's woman? Martin Sheen is Hollywood's scholar in residence on the homeless because, well, he played John Kennedy once. Democrats take their marching orders from Barbra Streisand on what people who need people need.
Tiger Woods has been hounded by the media for his failure to use his prominence to lecture on social issues. Media types demand celebrity social conscience despite no track record for celebrities changing the world, unless you count what Britney Spears has done to move women 's pants from their waists to the upper thighs.
Tiger Woods knows a sand trap even off the course. He resisted temptation when he was asked why he was playing a major U.S. championship at an all-male course. He ignored their entreaties to become the Gandhi of Titleist and Ping.
The international media have been flogging Mr. Woods for playing in the British Open at Murfield (The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers), a club that excludes women from its clubhouse. Bully for them. Women should be grateful. The only thing worse than golfing with men is sitting around with them as they recall and relive their games with a blood alcohol level of .08.
Founded in 1774, Murfield relaxed its males-only rules during the Open, but, not satisfied, the media dogged Mr. Woods until he responded, "They're entitled to set up their own rules the way they want them." Sacre bleu! What kind of man is this?
USA Today wrote that Woods "seemed unprepared for the questions." The man is there to play golf, not serve as emissary in the gender wars. Mr. Woods' foundation for disadvantaged children is his quiet social work. He wisely avoids boycotts and dictatorial positions that smack of arrogance.
The media types then played the race card. That Mr. Woods will perhaps be the greatest golfer in the history of mankind, and at clubs other than Murfield, womankind, leaves the media hollow. They want social activism, not just below-par scores. They asked Mr. Woods if he would feel the same way if the ban related to race. "Yes, it's unfortunate that it is that way, but it's just the way it is. A lot of these clubs, that's what they believe and that's what they've believed for a long period of time. It would be nice to see every golf course open to everyone who wanted to participate, but that's just not where society is."
Now there's something you don't see everyday, restraint from an athlete. Tiger Woods is remarkable for many reasons, but he understands that he is, first and foremost, a golfer. Excellence in golf is not expertise on social policy.
Tiger Woods can focus. With his dismissal of media pressure, he shows that masterful skill. Don't give in, kid. Concentrate on the game. The social reforms will follow because of your relentless excellence and quiet, gracious restraint.
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07/18/02: Reality Muppets
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