Heartbreaking
I remember vividly when Tiger came on to the amateur scene, then went pro. I recall at the time thinking 'this kid is going to have major issues down the road with a dad that governs so tightly over his son.'Tiger changed the game in so many ways, and no matter what others say, many MANY whites had absolutely zero issues with his color, ethnicity, religion, whatever, it's a minuscule handful of hilljack hicks that are threatened by anything that challenges their deflated ego, and race is as much to do with it as the King of England. But he changed the perception of the game, brought in viewers, and more importantly, brought in players.
His ultimate downfall goes back to what some of us saw as his Achilles when he first came on the scene- a father willing to do anything to live vicariously through his son (and his mother in some ways, as well) doing any and all things to succeed except being the father he needed so desperately to be. Earl led the way very publicly for others like LaVar Ball, who indulge and coddle their children, doing all things but what their child(ren) need most- be a parent.
Tigers ultimate implosion was something most saw a mile away, but were helpless to intercede. In the end, we all played a role in this downfall- from Nike that tried so desperately to lay an all too heavy load on his very young shoulders, the PGA who used and abused him, allowing nonsense from fans, the media that felt entitled to assuage the insanity in the name of ratings, his friends/family for failing him so deeply, and ultimately all of us, for allowing all these things and not uttering the least bit of pushback.
We could all learn a thing or to from this tale- we love our 'heroes' but love their downfall even more.
score 10/10
helenahandbasket-93734 11 January 2021
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6463975/14631
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