In the early 19th century, the executioner's gallows were removed from the Northeast corner of London's famous Hyde Park. The public, however, continued to visit Hyde Park--no longer for its gallows, but instead to have a forum for free speech. In 1855, for example, shopkeepers gathered in the Northeast corner of the park to protest the newly passed law which forbade businesses to operate on Sunday. Other public rallies followed, and in 1872 the Northeast corner of Hyde Park was officially designated as a site for public meetings. Since 1872, political enthusiasts, religious missionaries, radical thinkers, drunks, leftists, rightists, and everyone in between is invited to stand on their own "Soap Box" to offer their opinion.

The soap box enthusiasts have included revolutionary thinkers such as Karl Marx, George Bernard Shaw, George Orwel, and even V.I. Lenin. Each speaker is typically given three minutes to develop their theme, someone then shouts "Liar!" and then the fun begins. The soapbox speaker is then subject to the often-outlandish comments of his listeners until someone else spins off their own idea and takes control of the proverbial Box of Soap.

And herein is born Steve's Box of Soap. While many blogs address a very specific topic, this blog is limitless in scope, just as the SoapBoxes of the Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park. Steve's Box of Soap will hopefully be funny, insightful, random, goofy, and interesting. Most importantly, Steve's Box of Soap will be insight into what I would be saying if I were standing on a Box of Soap in Hyde Park's Speakers Corner.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Tiger Hides His Tale

Once upon a time, I looked up to Tiger Woods. I admired his focus, his concentration, his dedication to golf, his unprecedented talent, AND his ability to be a celebrity while seemingly keeping his head on straight and his priorities in order. Then November 2009 happened. Ironically, on my very birthday, the news of Tiger's infidelity shook America with earthquake-like devastation to golf enthusiasts, pop culture lovers--even Joe the Plumber. The headlines were printed and reprinted with the unveiling of each adulteress...the New York Daily News wrote "Tiger Hides His Tale." Then began the most contrived, manipulated public relations strategy in decades as Tiger stayed absolutely, completely silent, did not speak with the media, and "admitted himself" to a Sexual Addiction Recovery program. Over two months later, and still having not spoken even a word to the media, Tiger scheduled a news conference. Where? No other place than at Augusta National, home to the Masters Tournament, and known throughout the sports world as the most exclusive, old-school, predictable sports venue. Tiger had the news conference at Augusta National programmed like the timers my parents use to plan the ons and offs of each and every light in the entire house when they go on vacation. Tiger's every word was planned and scripted. He controlled the temperature of the news conference like the thermostat of a space ship traveling through the atmosphere. His performance was pristine, perfect, and likely deserved an Academy Award. He apologized, kept his pearly whites hidden at the right moments, and expressed his remorse, just as his speech writer had scripted. Then, months later, he chose to make Augusta National and the Masters Tournament his venue of choice for his "comeback." Once again, perfectly planned public relations, for he knew that were a fan to so much as whisper disapproval of Tiger, that the Masters event staff would have them driven farther than a Tiger Woods driver, or perhaps even better, smashed harder into a fire hydrant than the driver Tiger Woods. Not only that, but the Masters event staff would cancel all tickets given to that patron, forever.
Despite my disapproval of Tiger Woods, I still must confess that I was glued to the news updates, leader board, and tv broadcast of the Masters Tournament all weekend. I found myself checking online every 30 minutes to see what the score was, becoming nervous that Tiger was inching higher and higher on that leader board.
Why, you ask, do I hold such bitterness toward Tiger Woods? He is, after all, just a celebrity, and one which I will likely never meet nor see in person. I feel as though Tiger Woods is just another sad, sad story of betrayal. Tiger did not just betray his wife, he did not just betray his children, he betrayed the hope, the dreams, the wishes of the American people. What man would not love to have his athletic dominance, his charm, and his charismatic smile? What woman would not love to stand by his side? And to each of us that identify with those that looked up to him, we were betrayed. For me, however, it is not just the fact that he cheated on his wife, MULTIPLE TIMES, it is that I believe that had the rumors not begun, had the allegations not surfaced, had the women not come forward one by one, confessing to affairs with Tiger, that he would still be living the exact same life as he was previously, continuing to cheat and to betray his family, his friends, his fans.

Do I think Tiger is sorry? Yes, absolutely, no question, undoubtedly do I think that Tiger is sorry, but not sorry for what he did, only sorry for what he didn't do--he didn't cover his tracks, delete old voicemails, text messages, and emails.

Tiger, the best golfer of all-time, did not replace his divots.

And so it goes with looking up to athletes and anyone for that matter. I will continue to look up to them, to idolize them, to train to be like them, hoping all the time that they truly are men and women of character. When they fall, I will be hurt, I will be devastated, and I will feel betrayed, but I will also learn from them as I watch them fall. A wise man once said, "Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble." It would have served Tiger well had he understood this wisdom and humbled himself instead of the media and the world compelling him to be humble once his life had been driven so entirely off the right course. A wise coach of mine, LG, once told me something I will never forget--"The greatest test of a man's character is what he does when nobody is watching." Indeed, that is the true test of character, and may we all remember this counsel, constantly assessing how we are doing on that, the much more important test of life. With that being said, I now descend once again from my soapbox. Goodnight.
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2 comments:

  1. JeniApril 13, 2010 at 9:18 PM

    I was glued to the T.V. too. :) I thought it was interesting comparing Mickelson and Tiger throughout the whole tournament. Glad the good guy won. :)

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  2. MersApril 16, 2010 at 2:12 PM

    You said exactly what I was thinking about Tiger. I'd listen to you preach from your box of soap on a warm sunny afternoon in Hyde Park anyday!

    I actually went once while living in London... You would be a lot more interesting to listen to than most of the crazies there!

    And don't forget the great story of our ward-ie Cleon Skousen on his first day of his mission going to Speaker's Corner to preach the gospel. Oh, too bad we don't have him as the substitute Sunday School teacher anymore!

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