The Philly Phanatics

Usually, the topics for this blog come from my own crazy demented brain. I love sports, and hopefully that is apparent in what I write here. But one must never forget that, while sports can be a world of their own, sports are just one part of a much larger world that we live in every day of our lives. Today’s piece was inspired by an article for ESPN.com written by Scoop Jackson that can be found here.

Scoop Jackson discusses the idea that Tiger Woods should use the recent comments by The Golf Channel’s commentator Kelly Tilghman, where she said that the only way for young players to overcome Tiger’s dominance was to “lynch him in a back alley,” as an opportunity to make a statement about racism in society and these types of insensitive racial comments (see Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, Marge Schott, and John Rocker). Jackson even cites Tiger’s own father, Earl Woods, who prophesized that his son would be more influential to society than any athlete that had preceded him. Jackson’ point is that Tiger has a unique position in sports considering his varying ethic background and his notoriety as one of the most dominant athletes of his era.

Honestly, I think if Tiger Woods were to do as Scoop Jackson suggests it would be a tremendous voice proclaiming a solid message that would get the attention of the nation. However, one man alone calling attention to this issue is not what will cure the United States and the world of racial insensitivity in speech and action. If Tiger Woods does this, I would call it a blessing and would praise him for using his popularity to benefit the rest of society and move society forward. (Not to discount all of the other tremendous charitable causes that Tiger is involved in, including the Tiger Woods Foundation.) But the counterpoint I would make to Mr. Jackson’s column is that Tiger Woods does not seem to wish to be the outspoken person to make such a comment. It is certainly within his ability to make such a statement, but I think Tiger is trying to make an even more powerful statement to the world.

Tiger Woods’ yacht is appropriately named Privacy as his retreat from the public spotlight that follows him throughout his golf career. He is a particularly private person, so I do not believe that Tiger Woods would really consider making such a statement. While he is taking the high road by calling Kelly Tilghman a friend and dismissing her comments, there is no doubt that the comment were nonetheless insensitive at the very least.

I would argue that Tiger Woods’ reaction to the comments is Tiger’s most profound non-golf impact upon the world. He finds himself the target of criticism at times, and often rises above it and find himself to the more tolerant person. By not taking extreme offense at these comments, Tiger is not saying that these comments are acceptable, but he is showing that he does not want race to be his legacy. He will change the world by letting his action speak volumes about himself as a person and teach the world about racial tolerance.

At the beginning of Tiger’s professional career he was seen as a torch-bearer. He was the first African-American to win at the Masters. He was constantly seen as a role model to the African-American youth of today. He was the person who brought golf to the inner-city to take its place alongside basketball and football. In addition, Tiger knew his place in history and acknowledged the people who came before him, especially Lee Elder who was the first African-American to play in the Masters. Tiger was seen as a person who was blazing a trail for minorities. That image, while still applicable, is widely ignored in recent years. Tiger Woods is no longer the best African-American golfer in the world. He is the single best golfer in the world. He is not seen by the general public for his minority status, but rather for his talent, tenacity, and sheer dominance of his sport. His color does not matter, it is his ability that matters.

Tiger Woods is playing his way into the record books with every round he plays. That is his legacy. His long-lasting legacy will be the fact that his sheer dominance precluded him from being seen through the racially-tinted glasses that society sometimes wears. A sport of rich white males is being dominated by a young African-American male. He has already championed the cause of his race and already proven his point. But he has done it in his own unique way: letting his play on the course talk far louder than his voice ever could.

When Tiger Woods eventually does retire and stop playing golf professionally, I think that he will be seen as the person who redefined a sport. We are watching a truly talented individual, but I think it will not be until he is no longer playing that his position in history will be fully recognized. Personally, I think that he is not trying to champion a cause for his race throughout outspokenness. Instead, I think he is trying to show that race is not an issue. I think he has already done that. There is very little discussion of Tiger's race, it is completely overwhelmed by stories of how he is changing the world of golf by assaulting any and all records that currently exist. His ability to be seen in today's society for his ability instead of his race is a large part of his legacy, and I think that this part of his legacy is the most profound. If society can see and respect this one individual for his talent rather than his race and he can look past the racially insensitive comments of television personalities, then he is showing his true ability to transcend race and be an example to the rest of the world of tolerance of others and expecting tolerance and respect from others.

Granted Scoop Jackson and I see this issue from different perspectives. Perhaps what Tiger is doing is best. Perhaps Mr. Jackson's column is a better option. Regardless, I think that Mr. Jackson and I can both agree on one thing: Tiger's father was indeed prophetic when he said that his son would transcend his sport. I think he already has at the young age of 33.