According to an on-line dictionary, a hero is defined as a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits. The definition of a hero has been contorted, lost, and damaged throughout the years. When we think of heroes we think of high paying athletes, rich people, and celebrities.
In the real world a fireman charging into a burning building, police officers confronting a gunman, and soldiers sacrificing their lives are all considered as heroes. On the other-hand in the highly-publicized world of sports, Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods was definitely considered a sports hero.However like every great story of a hero there is a rise and fall. Tiger rose to fame, due to his stupendous golfing abilities and also fell from greatness due to infidelity. Born December 30, 1975, Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Currently the World number one, he is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world, having earned an estimated $90. 5 million from winnings and endorsements in 2010.He has won 14 professional major golf championships, the second highest of any male player and 71 PGA Tour events, third all time.
He has more career major wins and career PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam, and the youngest and fastest to win 50 tournaments on tour. Additionally, Woods is only the second golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a career Grand Slam three times. He has won 16 World Golf Championships, and has won at least one of those events each of the 11 years they have been in existence.
In 2009, over a dozen women claimed in various media outlets that they had affairs with Tiger Woods which started huge media frenzy. He went on to release a statement on December 11, offered an apology and admitted to infidelity. On February 19, 2010, Woods delivered a televised speech from the PGA Tour headquarters in Florida. He admitted that he had been unfaithful to his wife. He said he used to believe he was entitled to do whatever he wanted to do, and that, due to his success, normal rules did not apply to him.
He said he realizes now that he was wrong to have had extramarital affairs, and apologized for the hurt his behavior caused to his family, friends, fans, and business partners. He stated he had strayed from Buddhism, his trained faith since childhood, and that he would work to re-embrace his faith in the future. In the process Gillette suspended advertising featuring Woods, and said they would not be hiring him for any public appearances for the company. Also AT&T and Tag Heuer dropped him from their advertising campaigns.
