Better Man

Tiger Woods may have finally introduced himself to the world last Friday. Sure, Woods has lived under a microscope nearly his entire life, but its taken Woods most public and controversial failure to show hints of his true being.

By his own admission, Tiger Woods still has a long way to go. The important thing to take out of the most overblown public statement of 2010 is that a step was taken in the first place. The man didn’t have to say anything. All Woods had to do would be the most feared man on the golf course upon his return.

Woods faced the world Friday knowing that to many people, it wouldn’t matter what he said. Woods gave a simple, heartfelt apology, not only to his friends and family members, but also to his foundation and fans around the world. He also responded to criticisms that have been levied in regards to his on-course behavior,

Perhaps even more importantly Woods addressed a willingness to be a better man, and to lead a life of integrity. Even though he seemed to be addressing the public with such a promise, the words had the feel of a man’s inner promise to himself.

In recent years, it seems that the relief of non-defeat had replaced the thrill of victory. Woods obviously hasn’t been happy over the past few years, or perhaps such transgressions could’ve been avoided. While Tiger has never been one to smile while on the golf course, he hasn’t always been the guy throwing clubs or screaming expletives to anyone in a five-mile radius. When taking such small nuances into consideration, it’s easy to see that with the help of therapy, Tiger Woods is beginning to see the flaws present in his person and fix himself.

Woods probably didn’t win anyone over with his thirteen minutes heard round the world, but he didn’t lose anyone either. Most people have had their minds made up for months on whether or not to support him going forward. The undeniable fact of the matter is that Tiger’s public display took guts. That kind of cajones are something people in all walks of life can appreciate.

Tiger Woods is just a guy, but at least now we know he’s a guy who cares what you think. He cares what you think not because he needs more money or a higher Q rating, but because he knows that such opinions are based on the man that he is and the life that he leads.

The ones that care are the ones that really make a difference, not just in sports, but also in life.

One Thing Leads to Another

Things are never quite as good or bad as they seem. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are living, breathing examples of that concept.

Brees has been considered one of the better quarterbacks in football since he and Shawn Payton first joined forces in the Big Easy in 2006. Prior to his Super Bowl triumph, however, he wasn’t in the conversation with signal callers like Manning, Farve, Brady, or Roethlisberger, all of whom have won championships.

Manning, on the other hand, is a three-time MVP and undisputedly the most cerebral passer in the game. Even though Manning is widely-respected by anyone and everyone affiliated with professional football, his Super Bowl defeat leaves him in familiar territory: he is once again the guy who has trouble winning the big game.

Football is a fickle mistress; one day you’re the best thing since sliced bread, and the next day you’re not even good enough to quarterback the Chicago Bears (see Kordell Stewart). John Elway may now be viewed as one of the top three quarterbacks to ever play the game, but until 1998, he was widely believed to be an amazing athlete who failed spectacularly in three Super Bowls in less than a decade.

Pre-Super Bowl, Brees was seen as a product of a pass-friendly system, while Manning was viewed as the epitome of what a quarterback could be in the modern game. One more ring and Manning was destined to be the greatest quarterback of all-time.

After the dust fell on Miami, however, many critics have shifted views. Manning now plays the role of star-crossed hero. Brees is not only Mardi Gras king, but New Orleans savior, future MVP, and all around good guy to boot.

The book has yet to be written on the careers of Drew Brees & Peyton Manning. The truth of the matter is that both men are great passers, capable of amazing feats when put into borderline situations. The destiny of each has as much to do with things like salary cap restrictions and collective bargaining as it does personal willpower.

It’s rather silly to offer predictions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride.