Last week, Jim Brown, as he seems to do every year or so, called out a high-profile minority athlete for not speaking out on social issues.
On Tuesday, Woods responded during his pre-AT&T National press conference.
"I think I do a pretty good job as it is what we're trying to do with the (Tiger Woods) Foundation," Woods said. "We have this event here (The AT&T National), the Chevron World Challenge, our (Tiger) Jam in Vegas and our Block Party in Orange County. What we're trying to do (is) not just here in United States, but what my mom's doing in Thailand.I know why Brown continues to beat this drum -- he lived through the civil rights movement, he faced discrimination, and his activism made it easier for other African-American athletes (and, to an extent, Cablinasian ones) to earn a living in professional sports.
"I want to not just do it, but do it right. And that takes time. And you have to understand, you just don't jump into something. You want to do it right. You want to have a plan, and I think what we've done so far has been very good, very efficient and it's helped a lot of kids, and taught a lot of kids how to get back and learn, learn how to lead, learn how to give back. Learn how to teach others, have confidence in themselves to be able to do all these different things, and have these attributes going forward. That takes time. And I think we've done it right."
Yeah, when it comes to taking a stand on social issues, Woods is as decisive as a politician running for election, but it's short-sighted to think that means he's not doing enough. And Brown's criticism of Woods is misguided for all the reasons Tiger outlined during his press conference.
But as Uncle Ben reminded us, "With great power must come great responsibility." For Woods, hearing about how he needs to do more is all part of being the world's most visible athlete. And by now, he's used to it.
Five years ago in a Washington Post column questioning whether Tiger was a "sour complainer ... whose manners are as lousy as his play is disappointing," Sally Jenkins graciously offered Woods some advice to help him keep things in perspective.
My first suggestion for Woods's immediate and long-term recovery is that he spend four years in the Peace Corps. Planting crops in Ethiopia or Zaire while teaching children to read and write would have a salutary effect on his attitude, which at the moment resembles that of a spoiled Venetian princess.I'm sure Jenkins' various charitable organizations far outpace any work Woods has done.
Hypocrisy aside, it's just more proof that Tiger, because of his lofty status and skin color, is held to a higher standard. He understands that, and more importantly, he's doing something about it. Not because of Jenkins or Brown or whomever, but because that's how he was raised.
Obviously, Woods doesn't need me to defend him, but if we're going to waste our energy on something, how about the truly important stuff. Like how in the hell could Tiger invite Tony Romo to play with him in the AT&T National pro-am instead of, oh, I don't know, anybody but Tony Romo?
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LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches as Mo Williams #2 takes a shoe to the face by Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a steal in the closing seconds of the first half at The Quicken Loans Arena on February 8, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images)
David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images
Brazil's Diogo (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay's Hernan Perez during their U-20 South American Championship football match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on February 8, 2009.(Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images )
Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images
A Dalmatian looks at its handler as a judge goes to touch the dog during the first day of the 2009 Westminster Dog Show in New York February 9, 2009.(Lucas Jackson, Reuters)
Lucas Jackson, Reuters
Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson touches his head during a time out in the first half of their NBA basketball game with the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey February 7, 2009. (Ray Stubblebine, Reuters)
Ray Stubblebine, Reuters
Margarita Marbler, of Austria, skis to a bronze medal finish the ladies moguls freestyle FIS World Cupskiing qualification at Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP)
Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP
West Virginia guard Darryl Bryant (25) is fouled by Providence guard Jeff Xavier (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. West Virginia won 86-59. (Don Wright, AP)
Don Wright, AP
Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, top, celebrates the Tigers' 62-60 win over Kansas in Columbia, Missouri, Monday, February 9, 2009. (Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT)
Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT
David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils fights Erik Reitz #4 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 9, 2009 at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (Al Bello, Getty Images)
Al Bello, Getty Images
Driver Patrick Sheltra (60) begins to spin coming out of the fourth turn during the ARCA 200 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.
Darryl Graham, AP
Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives serves the ball, in this multiple exposure, to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup tennis match in Brno February 7, 2009.
Petr Josek, Reuters
Comments (Page 1 of 15)
Ryan, hate to tell you this so abruptly but you come across as a jerk! What is wrong with Tiger playing with Romo? AS far as Brown, when people stop thinking about helping a particualr color and just think of helping(whoever), then we will know racism is over...until then people like Brown will just keep it festering!
100% AGREED.....Jim Brown is and always has been a complete racial idiot. He can call out everyone as if he is perfect?.....Far from it.
I remember when he was doing commentating work for the UFC in the early days, and he had absolutely no idea what he was babbling about & was to come off as an expert....the best thing that Jim Brown can do is quit acting like some social bully....mind his business & fade away QUIETLY
Well said. Well said.
He was being sarcastic! It was a little subtle and I had to think twice, but it was sarcastic.
Jim Brown has been crazy for quite a few years now. I agree about Romo. He's a tool. Let us not forget, Romo rhymes with homo. Tiger could play with anyone in the world and he chooses Tony Romo? Don't get too close, Tiger. Some of that "loser" may rub off on you.
Jim Brown and the rest of the "social leaders" seem to point the finger of blame at everyone but the people who hold the most responsibility....the black community. I work at an inner city elementary school and 95% of the parents don't give a flying fart about their children's education. They never show up to PTA meetings, never volunteer, or show any interest whatsoever.
Charity begins at home. When the black community starts taking responsibility for their own, the rest of society will be more than willing lend a helping hand.
Are you afraid that people of color are going to get a level playing field...2$
Understand the Jim Browns, but it's not fair to want EVERY Black person to be the social conscience of America. He needs to focus on the thug athletes (blacks and whites)on how to become better men for their sake and the sake of their families. We (blacks and whites) need to stop trying to make everyone fit under a certain category. As a mother of two young children, we teach them to be kind, god-fearing, respectful, giving and forgiving to EVERYONE. Yes, racism and prejudice exists okay if we as parents teach our children by examples of love, kindness, respectfulness, giving, and forgiveness, the world will be a better place for all. It starts at home and it ends at home. Leave Tiger alone. He's a great person I am sure,and not everyone wants or yearn for the SPOT-LIGHT!!!
To stop Racism is not difficult,STOP IT, stop thinking and acting like you are SUPERIOR to others,treat people as they treat you,understand that you are all equal and life & death comes to all REGARDLESS OF YOUR SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS
Let's face it Brown is just a loud mouth jealous has-been who wouldn't have been a star in today's game. He belittles others because he is just a bitter attention seeking old man.
Jim Brown = has been.
If JB is a has been, what does that make you? A never was and someone nobody has ever heard of and never will?
brown has a point. i'm sure tiger does a lot of great work through his foundation, but he has the platform and the power to do so much more. what if one out of every ten commercials he appears in was some kind of public service announcement? He would reach an audience of millions and millions more, and his corporate sponsors would just love love love to open their pockets to be seen as doing good side-by-side with the most visable athlete in America.
Tiger is a pro golfer, not God, Not MLK, not Malcomb, etc. Jim Brown is nobody's judge and jury. He should concentrate on what his issues are and stop trying to drag Tiger down. Every powerful black man does not have to stand on top of a soap box to make a point.
It is incredible that a man who rapes women, who abuses his wife, and who is basicly a reverse rascist gets any platform at all in the media. If we are going to ask baout Tigers work in the minority community, then why not the Thai community? He is not just black so stop referring to him as an African-American. Leave him alone he is doing just fine with his program and his golf. Jim Brown on the other hand needs to fade away, his character has always been suspect, and he has no business calling out anyone.
Kyle...It's not Tiger's job to fix any thing! I for one don't want another Oprah...He is a patriotic man who just happens to be black; that does not mean he has to be a spokes person for anyone.
I believe it's considered a privilege to Romo to play a round or two with Tiger. It would be for me no matter what city it was close too. I'm a big Cowboy fan and Tiger fan. It's okay for Redskin fans to boo Tony & Tiger for fun. But to make it personal is taking to far. As for Jim Brown, i may not agree entirly with his message,but at least here in America,he can say what he feels.
all of you are wrong!
If it wasn't for people like him, our Tiger would still be a club! History is to be learn from and not forgetting! So he does need to do more, and say what is stay a problem in this world of many colors... How many friends do you have that aren't for the same hood?
as tiger once said, he is not african american, he is AMERICAN. as far as romo goes, i think tiger does a lot of good associating with a LOSER, and his BIMBO. and she is. ho ho ho
I wonder if Brown ever thinks of the poor caucasian children in Appalatia..Tiger helps them all..red and yellow, black and white.Tiger is not acting as a social bully, but as an activist helping all races..