Well, it’s almost 12 hours before Tiger Woods will address his close friends, associates and perhaps his family with comments that has everyone from CNN to ESPN intrigued. What is he going to say? Why is he not taking questions from the press? Will Elin be there by his side? Will he be able to make amends for what he’s done? Is this too little too late?

Here’s what Steven A. Smith, Columnist, Philadelphia Inquirer, and FOX Sports Radio host had to say on Larry King the other night:

“I’m shocked at his stupidity, to be quite honest, because it’s absolutely idiotic the way he’s going about doing this, to not take any questions from the media, to have — to wrap himself by colleagues and friends. Basically he’s sheltering and shielding himself from the venom and the vitriol and some of the interrogation or the interrogation tactics that were inevitable and, more importantly, that any other athlete would have to go through in this day and time.

Clearly, Tiger Woods has revealed himself as a person who believes he’s above reproach and he’s not somebody that needs to be questioned. This is one of the things that shocked America, because he had projected himself as being somebody that he wasn’t. So now that you have the opportunity to make amends — you dropped the ball initially, because your P.R. campaign was absolutely disastrous. I don’t know if it was because of him, his repusanta — his representation or whatever the case may be, but it was absolutely disastrous. Everybody knows that.

Now you have another chance to make amends. But before you do that, you’re going to let the world know that you’re not going to subject yourself to the media, you’re not going to subject yourself to any kind of inquisition whatsoever. And on top of it all, you’re surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones.

So certainly the things that most other athletes, high profile individuals have to go through, oh, no, you’re different because you’re Tiger?

America is going to look at him and say, we’re the land of second chances, but we’re not Boo-Boo the fool. You’ve got a lot of nerve coming at us with this nonsense. And that’s what I predict will happen.”

From my perspective – Steven A. Smith, either, did not explain himself very well, or, he’s in need of calling a press conference tomorrow at 11am.

If I was on Larry King with Steven A. Smith…here’s how it would have gone.

Larry: Ooh yeah. It’s Tiger time baby! Steven A. Smith, you have some thoughts on Mr. Woods.

Steven: I’m shocked at his stupidity, to be quite honest, because it’s absolutely idiotic the way he’s going about doing this, to not take any questions from the media, to have — to wrap himself by colleagues and friends. Basically he’s sheltering and shielding himself from the venom and the vitriol and some of the interrogation or the interrogation tactics that were inevitable and, more importantly, that any other athlete would have to go through in this day and time.

Larry: Matt Robinson, a nobody from Manotick has called into the show this evening. Matt, you would like to address Steven A. Smith’s comments?

Matt: Yes Larry. I question Mr. Smith actually being shocked at another person’s stupidity, especially in this day and age. Does he remember Bill Clinton? Also, he just stated that he wants to be quite honest which essentially means he wants to be wholly honest, or completely honest – Larry, he writes for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Smith is right. Tiger has decided to invite his friends and colleagues to his statement and has sheltered himself from the venomous interrogation tactics of “journalists” keeping them a safe distance away from this staged apology. Why would he want it any different? What’s the “putting myself on the map” question going to be from an up and coming journalist going to be – What’s the number Tiger? Oh, wait. I’ll answer that one….no comment. Lastly, Tiger is not any other athlete which I’m sure the “shocked” and ” quite honest” Mr. Smith understands…he’s just trying to stir things up on this lame broadcast.

Larry: Thank you Mark. Well, Steve-O, Mark made some pretty good points. Do you have a response?

Steve: Larry, clearly Tiger Woods has revealed himself as a person who believes he’s above reproach and he’s not somebody that needs to be questioned. This is one of the things that shocked America, because he had projected himself as being somebody that he wasn’t. So now that you have the opportunity to make amends — you dropped the ball initially, because your P.R. campaign was absolutely disastrous. I don’t know if it was because of him, his repusanta — his representation or whatever the case may be, but it was absolutely disastrous. Everybody knows that.

Larry: Way to go Steve-O! Great comeback. Marky-ray…put your dukes up.

Matt: Larry, it’s Matt, thanks. I’m not sure of the connection between being above reproach and not needing to be questioned. I think it’s pretty clear that Tiger Woods is not perfect and he’s never had a problem being questioned about ANYTHING. He just doesn’t answer questions which may cross the line into his personal life and if you happen to be a reporter who asks one of those questions – you are never invited back to the press room. I don’t believe his handling of this has been completely disastrous…case in point – no paparazzi got a single dime for those photos we all got to see last night. The paparazzi lives to be paid and they will not be paid for the first photos of Tiger. I think they’ll move on….they need to in order to survive. Tiger Woods did not publicly state or showcase he was a great father or husband, no commercials or advertisements to that end. Lastly, I’d like to point out that using a term like “Everybody” is an absolute, also meaning ALL. Everybody cannot know any one single thing…everybody knows that Larry.

Larry: Thank you Mark. Steve, you still seem to have an issue with this apology.

Steve: Larry, my problem with the apology is this. Now you have another chance to make amends. But before you do that, you’re going to let the world know that you’re not going to subject yourself to the media, you’re not going to subject yourself to any kind of inquisition whatsoever. And on top of it all, you’re surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones. So certainly the things that most other athletes, high profile individuals have to go through, oh, no, you’re different because you’re Tiger? America is going to look at him and say, we’re the land of second chances, but we’re not Boo-Boo the fool. You’ve got a lot of nerve coming at us with this nonsense. And that’s what I predict will happen.

Larry: Mark, do you have anything to add?

Matt: I would think most people who admire Hollywood movie stars, teen idols, singers, and, of course, professional athletes may actually applaud an individual who has decided they would not subject themselves to ridiculous questions from the media. Wait a second. I thought we covered this…Did Steve actually make another point or did he just reword his previous point. I hate repeating myself Larry so I’ll let my previous statements stand. There were not any commercials depicting Tiger as a great father or a great husband. The public only knew him as the greatest golfer they have ever seen, nothing more. Yeah, I repeated myself when I said I wouldn’t.

Larry: Steve…Mark…Thank you so much for joining us. Next up – Judge Judy – Tomorrow night, Pricilla Presley.

It would have gone something like that…would have been fun.

On a serious note. I know this…

Tiger Woods is making amends for infidelity which normally destroys a marriage. He’s going to apologize to his sponsors – those still with him and those left behind. There may be some emotion to what he says or it may come out like the droid we sometimes think he is “I like this course. I’m hitting it well. I’m playing well. I came here to win.” I’m going with the latter. I admire Tiger Woods, the golfer. It’s evident that he insulated his personal life for good reason. Haven’t we learned our lesson about “knowing” our idols. Pete Rose, JFK, Bill Clinton (I’ve mentioned him twice in this blog just to get Tom Kealey going), Brad Pitt, Magic Johnson, Elvis, Dany Heatley…it goes on and on. Enjoy the art. Enjoy the performance. Enjoy the athlete and entertainer. Just don’t get to know them because it’s likely they can’t live up to your expectations.

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