Tiger Woods Is "An American Hero" Says PGA Commissioner

Posted on Feb 19, 2010 @ 01:29PM

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PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem called Tiger Woods “an American hero” in a press conference held shortly after the golfer’s public statement and apology which was live-streamed on RadarOnline.com.

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“He is an American hero and he’s had issues,” Finchem said to a room full of reporters. “He’s a human being, he makes mistakes, we all make mistakes.”

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The PGA head implored fans to “react positively” to Woods’ request to “judge him by his actions.”

While he called the fallout from the controversy over the golfing great a “distraction,” he heralded Woods’ Friday comments as “compelling” and vital to Tiger’s recovery.

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“He clearly recognizes that there has been a serious impact to a wide range of individuals and organizations,” Finchem said.

“He is very focused on these issues, he’s committed to the course that he’s laid out.” Finchem later added: “He’s chosen a course as he’s stepped away from the game... to communicate is a part of the process.”

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Finchem, who spoke to Woods before the golfer’s comments but not after, said Woods will be “gone for awhile.”

As if it already was not evident, the PGA wants to “be supportive to Tiger through this process.”

When asked what he personally wanted to hear Tiger say, Finchem said: “I was excited about the notion that he was taking a step that would lead to movement for him to return [to golf].”

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Golfers are not Heroes. Firemen, Police and the Armed Services are doing there job, they are not Heroes either. They are getting paid to run into that building, help people on the street, and protect or freedoms. They are just doing there job.

by KelBro
Posted Sun, 02/21/2010 - 6:08pm

An American Hero? Give me a break. He's a liar and a cheat!! I've lost all respect for the PGA. To call him an American hero is just a ploy to bring back the $$$ he's lost the organization by his behavior. Shame on you Mr. Finchem.

by suz_garden
Posted Sat, 02/20/2010 - 9:06pm

Tiger can officially stop apologizing and explaining himself. He owes us NOTHING. I agree with him, it's between he and his wife. Period. Let's move on.

by shle896
Posted Sat, 02/20/2010 - 9:34am

Tiger is no hero he is an athelete and that's it! A hero is someone who puts others before themselves he did just the opposite. As usual it's all about Tiger!!

by rudy96
Posted Sat, 02/20/2010 - 12:42am

Lol, Man, I dont see how you recover from this. I mean, if ever a woman was laid to waste by a guy's philandering, this was it. The whole freaking planet knows how he totally dissed and sheet on her.

by matsterman
Posted Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:24pm

Finchem-TW is a talented golfer and nothing more. He is not an American hero that title is reserved for people who selflessly do good acts for their fellowman-firemen, policemen, soldiers, etc...

by tulip
Posted Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:16pm

I can hear the dollars going out the door ever since this broke. This man is trying to bring them back. Frankly I'm surprised if he slept with 14 women for 5 years that they didn't talk about it and it wasn't exposed sooner.

by Josephine.579
Posted Fri, 02/19/2010 - 7:17pm

This man needs a serious lesson in the definition of a hero. It's not a little man who hits a ball in to a hole. Ask any military, fire or polilce officer.

by gamom
Posted Fri, 02/19/2010 - 6:29pm