Tiger comes out of woods
Full transcript of Tiger Woods televised statement to media
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FEB 20 - "Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me.Many of you have cheered for me or you’ve worked with me or you’ve supported me.
"Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.
"I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.
"Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behaviour over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.
"I am also aware of the pain my behaviour has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behaviour has been a personal disappointment.
"To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.
"To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever.
"Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This
work remains unchanged and will continue to grow.
"From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.
"But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position. For all that I have done, I am so sorry.
"I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin
somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that.
"Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.
"I once heard, and I believe it’s true, it’s not what you achieve in life that matters; it’s what you overcome.
"Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.
"Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.
"It’s hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I’m facing. I have a long way to go. But I’ve taken my first
steps in the right direction.
"As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and
the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I’m concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me.
"These are issues between a husband and a wife.
"Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance-enhancing drugs. This is completely
and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe
it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight.
"They did not do these things; I did.
"I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my
sponsors, my commercial endorsements.
When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them.
However, my behavior doesn’t make it right for the media to follow my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to school and report the school’s location.
"They staked out my wife and they pursued my mum. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.
"I recognise I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my
family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That’s where my focus will be.
"I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age.
"People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security.
"It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.
"As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I’ve learned that’s how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy.
"I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I’m
making these remarks today.
"In therapy I’ve learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional
life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.
"That also means relying on others for help. I’ve learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope
someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don’t
know when that day will be.
"I don’t rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the
game.
"In recent weeks I have received many thousands of e-mails, letters and phone calls from people expressing
good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.
"I want to thank the PGA Tour, Commissioner (Tim) Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.
"Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.
"Thank you."
Posted on: 2010-02-20 02:09
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