Tiger Woods apologizes for 'spaz' comment

[Doomsday101]

LOS ANGELES - Tiger Woods has apologised for comments he made during a television interview after the U.S. Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday.

The world No. 1, who tied for third place three strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson, was criticised for using the term “spaz” to describe his poor putting in the final round.

“Tiger meant nothing derogatory to any person or persons and apologises for any offence caused,” Woods’s agent Mark Steinberg said in a statement issued on the player’s official website.

Bidding for a fifth green jacket at Augusta, Woods produced a display of uncharacteristically shaky putting on his way to a closing two-under-par 70.
He took 33 putts in the final round, including three three-putts and a pair of missed eagle putts from inside 10 feet on the back nine. Mickelson took 29 putts in a closing 69.

When asked about his play on the last day at Augusta, Woods replied: “I putted atrociously today. Once I got on the greens, I was a spaz.”
In several countries, “spaz” is an offensive term for people affected with spastic paralysis, a form of cerebral palsy.

Britain-based disability organisation Scope, formerly The Spastics Society, said of Woods’s comments: “Once again, Tiger Woods demonstrates that we are two nations divided by a common language.

“Although in the U.S. the term “spaz” may not be as offensive as it is here in the UK, many disabled people here will have taken exception to his likening a golf stroke to that of ’a spaz’.

“UK disability charity Scope is confident that Tiger Woods would be devastated to learn that something he said could offend his fans, disabled or non-disabled.”

Wood’s remark drew little attention in the U.S. where “spaz” is a slang term for someone considered clumsy or inept.

[Doomsday101]

Brits are a bunch of spaz. By the way congradulation Phil Mickelson on a great round of golf.

[DallasCowpoke111]

From Dictionary.com:

1 entry found for spaz.
spaz or spazz ( P ) Pronunciation Key (spz) Offensive Slang
n. pl. spazz·es

One who is considered clumsy or inept.


intr.v. spazzed, spazz·ing, spazz·es

To be clumsy or inept.
==============================
The British press might wanna worry about what's happening in their OWN backyard and stay out of OUR'S. Didn't the get the message the FIRST time!?

Oh, and from a group that calls a pack of Marlboros " ", they got a lot of nerve! :p:

[Yeagermeister]

From Dictionary.com:

1 entry found for spaz.
spaz or spazz ( P ) Pronunciation Key (spz) Offensive Slang
n. pl. spazz·es

One who is considered clumsy or inept.


Used in a sentence:

CBZ is such a spaz :D

[royhitshard]

Brits need to get a life and stay out of ours.

[5 Super Bowls]

I truly feel sorry for Tiger. He has to watch everything he says and does.

[cowboynDC]

I truly feel sorry for Tiger. He has to watch everything he says and does.
So true, then the media blasts him (and others) for shying away from being interviewed. They are in a no win situation

[DallasCowpoke111]

I truly feel sorry for Tiger. He has to watch everything he says and does.

Yea, poor guy, he's got it ROUGH!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2004/10/15/image649482x.jpg
Tiger Woods' luxury yacht "Privacy," sits off shore in front of the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados (file). (AP)

[Danny White]

Yea, poor guy, he's got it ROUGH!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2004/10/15/image649482x.jpg
Tiger Woods' luxury yacht "Privacy," sits off shore in front of the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados (file). (AP)
I think this picture is more appropos of that sentiment:

http://cdn.compuserve.com/gallery/i/e/elinnordegren/lg1.jpg

[5 Super Bowls]

Yea, poor guy, he's got it ROUGH!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2004/10/15/image649482x.jpg
Tiger Woods' luxury yacht "Privacy," sits off shore in front of the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados (file). (AP)

He has more money than he will ever know what to do with. That is great. What he will never have and wants more than anything is privacy. Just like the name of the boat.

I played golf with Tiger in the junior ranks and in college. The first time I met him, he was 16 and I was 17. He was sitting next to me on the right and we were eating a hamburger at the TPC in Houston during an AJGA tournament. Byron Nelson was the guest speaker. While we were eating, a camera crew bumped my shoulder while they stuck the camera in Tiger's face. It was an oriental camera crew and I have no idea what language they were speaking. The camera crew was escorted out of the building, but it made a distinct impression that I will never forget. Tiger looked disgusted and he reacted like it was a common occurance.

That was before he won 10 majors and broke tons of records. I can only imagine how bad he has it now. He is the most recognized sports figure in the world. He can't go to a restaurant in Europe. Money isn't everything.

Cowpoke, I think you are smarter than this.

[Danny White]

To quote the great philosopher:

You take the good;
You take the bad;
You take them both and there you have the Facts of Life.

[DallasCowpoke111]

Cowpoke, I think you are smarter than this.

No offense but wanting me to "feel sorry" for ANYONE who knowingly and voluntarily puts themselves into a position of fame because they're unable to go to a "restaurant in Europe" is quite frankly asinine.

[TruBlueCowboy]

Yea, poor guy, he's got it ROUGH!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2004/10/15/image649482x.jpg
Tiger Woods' luxury yacht "Privacy," sits off shore in front of the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados (file). (AP)

:laugh2: :laugh2:

[5 Super Bowls]

No offense but wanting me to "feel sorry" for ANYONE who knowingly and voluntarily puts themselves into a position of fame because they're unable to go to a "restaurant in Europe" is quite frankly asinine.


I don't think you would trade positions with Tiger. I may be wrong, but I know that I would not. Money is easy to come by, but privacy is not for the rich and famous.

[Danny White]

I don't think you would trade positions with Tiger. I may be wrong, but I know that I would not. Money is easy to come by, but privacy is not for the rich and famous.
If it was really that bad, he could simply stop golfing professionally, and the attention given to him would plummet.

Sure, he'd still be recognized, but if he stopped making commercials and playing in tournaments, that attention would be less every day that went by.

He has all the money he'll ever need for the rest of his life, so that's not a problem.

You're right, I'm not sure if I would trade places with him... but it's not like he's powerless to turn the hype-machine off.

Heck, if he wanted to, he could even lessen the attention and still golf professionally. Just stop endorsing products and his public exposure would go down considerably. By doing things like signing with Nike, his Q rating goes way up.

Look at guys like Tim Duncan or Roger Federer, they're every bit as good at their sports as Tiger is at golf, but they've made career decisions that give them less glory, but increase their privacy.

[jay cee]

Who's Roger Federer?;)

[royhitshard]

I don't think you would trade positions with Tiger. I may be wrong, but I know that I would not. Money is easy to come by, but privacy is not for the rich and famous.
I would, where do I sign up?

[Danny White]

Who's Roger Federer?;)
Exactly.

I know you're winking there, but he's just as dominant at tennis as Tiger is at golf... yet most people couldn't pick him out of a two-man lineup.

[5 Super Bowls]

Look at guys like Tim Duncan or Roger Federer, they're every bit as good at their sports as Tiger is at golf, but they've made career decisions that give them less glory, but increase their privacy.

That is ridiculous. Tim Duncan is a great player, but he is not the best ever. Tiger is considered the best ever to play by a lot of different people, and he isn't even in his prime yet. If Tiger quit playing, it would be a big story for some time. He may lose some recognition, but he would never be able to escape the media.

[Danny White]

That is ridiculous. Tim Duncan is a great player, but he is not the best ever. Tiger is considered the best ever to play by a lot of different people, and he isn't even in his prime yet. If Tiger quit playing, it would be a big story for some time. He may lose some recognition, but he would never be able to escape the media.
You're kinda missing the point... the reason Tiger would be so missed is more due to his popularity than his talent. And his popularity is a result of decisions he has made during his career that have boosted his visibility.

Guys like Duncan and Federer and Sampras kept a low key that have made them less of a big deal. Toss Duncan out of the mix... Federer and Sampras are arguably two of the greatest tennis players ever... if they had McEnroe's or even Agassi's personality, they'd be international celebrities.

I'm sure Anna Kournikova has a much tougher time getting privacy than Pete Sampras... why? Because of the attention she seeks through magazine covers and endorsements and an publicity outside of her performance in her sport.

Or looking at golf, I'd bet that Michelle Wie gets a lot more public attention when she goes out than Ernie Els. Is it because she's a better golfer? Of course not. It's because of the attention and hype that she's built up around herself. It's her choice, just as it was Tiger's.

[Hoov]

If i was a celebrity it would get bad fast. the minute someone jumped all over me for something silly and rediculous and demanded an apology id probably give the bird to the camera right then and there and smile and say hello everyone out there, then bend over and shake my naked rear in front of the camera.

[Danny White]

If i was a celebrity it would get bad fast. the minute someone jumped all over me for something silly and rediculous and demanded an apology id probably give the bird to the camera right then and there and smile and say hello everyone out there, then bend over and shake my naked rear in front of the camera.
That would probably make you even more popular! :p:

[Hoov]

That would probably make you even more popular! :p:

you may be right, but most important it would set the tone early that im not going to tiptoe around everone my whole life.

[trickblue]

I'm offended that he apologized...

I now demand an apology for the apology...

[5 Super Bowls]

You're kinda missing the point... the reason Tiger would be so missed is more due to his popularity than his talent. And his popularity is a result of decisions he has made during his career that have boosted his visibility.

Guys like Duncan and Federer and Sampras kept a low key that have made them less of a big deal. Toss Duncan out of the mix... Federer and Sampras are arguably two of the greatest tennis players ever... if they had McEnroe's or even Agassi's personality, they'd be international celebrities.

I'm sure Anna Kournikova has a much tougher time getting privacy than Pete Sampras... why? Because of the attention she seeks through magazine covers and endorsements and an publicity outside of her performance in her sport.

Or looking at golf, I'd bet that Michelle Wie gets a lot more public attention when she goes out than Ernie Els. Is it because she's a better golfer? Of course not. It's because of the attention and hype that she's built up around herself. It's her choice, just as it was Tiger's.

How did Tiger choose to be the best player to play golf? Michelle Wie is popular, because she is a prodigy, a lot like Tiger.

Tiger is the most clutch, talented golfer to play the game and is only 31 years old.

[Danny White]

How did Tiger choose to be the best player to play golf? Michelle Wie is popular, because she is a prodigy, a lot like Tiger.

Tiger is the most clutch, talented golfer to play the game and is only 31 years old.
I hesitate continuing this argument because I like Tiger a lot and I root for him... and he's not even complaining about the attention he gets, you're complaining about the attention he gets. As far as I know, he willingly accepts the life he's made for himself and is satisfied with it.

I will say that while it's debatable whether or not he "chose" to be a great golfer, he's undeniablly "chosen" to capitalize on his skills and market them to the greatest extent possible. And it's that decision that has led him to be so wildly popular.

That said, I see no signs that Tiger regrets his fame, his fortune, or the fact that he gets to make an amazing living while playing one of the greatest games out there. So until he starts complaining about it, I'll wish him the best and leave this argument alone.

[Doomsday101]

I hesitate continuing this argument because I like Tiger a lot and I root for him... and he's not even complaining about the attention he gets, you're complaining about the attention he gets. As far as I know, he willingly accepts the life he's made for himself and is satisfied with it.

I will say that while it's debatable whether or not he "chose" to be a great golfer, he's undeniablly "chosen" to capitalize on his skills and market them to the greatest extent possible. And it's that decision that has led him to be so wildly popular.

That said, I see no signs that Tiger regrets his fame, his fortune, or the fact that he gets to make an amazing living while playing one of the greatest games out there. So until he starts complaining about it, I'll wish him the best and leave this argument alone.

I agree and have seen many interviews with Tiger. What is not to love about the life he has made for himself he is the #1 ranked golfer in the world and with the money and fame he has made for himself he has been able to put together his foundation for children. Tiger enjoys what he is doing and he does it better than anyone else.

[5 Super Bowls]

I hesitate continuing this argument because I like Tiger a lot and I root for him... and he's not even complaining about the attention he gets, you're complaining about the attention he gets. As far as I know, he willingly accepts the life he's made for himself and is satisfied with it.

I will say that while it's debatable whether or not he "chose" to be a great golfer, he's undeniablly "chosen" to capitalize on his skills and market them to the greatest extent possible. And it's that decision that has led him to be so wildly popular.

That said, I see no signs that Tiger regrets his fame, his fortune, or the fact that he gets to make an amazing living while playing one of the greatest games out there. So until he starts complaining about it, I'll wish him the best and leave this argument alone.

If he complained, he would be ridiculed by the want to be rich and famous.

Check out this article.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1103041tigerwoods1.html


He hated it when I knew him, I can't imagine anything has changed. That was before he was a real star.

He has not chosen to capitalize on his skills to the fullest extent. He could make a lot more money in endorsements than he does now.

[DallasCowpoke111]

If he complained, he would be ridiculed by the want to be rich and famous.

Check out this article.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1103041tigerwoods1.html


He hated it when I knew him, I can't imagine anything has changed. That was before he was a real star.

He has not chosen to capitalize on his skills to the fullest extent. He could make a lot more money in endorsements than he does now.

I really don't mean this to be offensive, although I'm pretty sure you're gonna take it as such. But I'm not sure I've ever seen a poster endeavor w/ such dogged abandon to make themselves look foolish.

And w/ members here like Nors and HeavyHitter, that's hard to do. :laugh2:

[5 Super Bowls]

I really don't mean this to be offensive, although I'm pretty sure you're gonna take it as such. But I'm not sure I've ever seen a poster endeavor w/ such dogged abandon to make themselves look foolish.

And w/ members here like Nors and HeavyHitter, that's hard to do. :laugh2:

Glad to see you here at home Cowpoke. ;)

[DallasCowpoke111]

Glad to see you here at home Cowpoke. ;)

I'm really not sure what that's supposed to mean?

[BrAinPaiNt]

To quote the great philosopher:

You take the good;
You take the bad;
You take them both and there you have the Facts of Life.

:laugh2:

I actually met the girl who played Joe on that show.
She and her brother, who played the son on the show Alice.

[DallasCowpoke111]

:laugh2:

I actually met the girl who played Joe on that show.
She and her brother, who played the son on the show Alice.


http://www.planetout.com/images/entertainment/starstruck/mckeon.jpg
Nancy and Philip McKeon.

[SweCowboy]

I think this picture is more appropos of that sentiment:

http://cdn.compuserve.com/gallery/i/e/elinnordegren/lg1.jpg

Don't worry DW you'd have a hard time with her mother anyhow...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbro_Holmberg

/David

[Danny White]

Don't worry DW you'd have a hard time with her mother anyhow...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbro_Holmberg

/David
For Tiger's sake, I hope the daughter ages more gracefully than the mom! :eek:

As for the mom's politics, it reminds me of a line from Ferris Bueller (paraphrased):

"I'm not Swedish. I don't plan on being Swedish. So, who gives a cr@p if she's a Socialist? She could be a fascist anarchist, it still wouldn't change the fact that her daughter is a hottie."