My thoughts from Tiger Woods documentary

I just finished watching the TIGER documentary. The credits are playing and I am sitting here in deep thought. I have posted the final minute of the film and I hope you watch it. But the roller coaster journey is able to be lost on some. 

Tiger became the legendary golf athlete from the age of 3. His game and skill became legendary, and the world (fans and big business) elevated him so high, higher than a person can handle. I don’t think people can appreciate the pressure of that level of fame and expectation. People in America love to see an underdog win, and put them up high. But then they want to see that winner take a hard fall back down to where everyone else is… join the rest of us in the struggle. 

The documentary showed Tiger as he strayed from integrity with his personal transgressions outside of his marriage. For this, it honestly affected how I perceived him 15 years ago when I learned he did that. I think because I saw him as the Superman,Tiger Woods. But he was a troubled child star who was lost in the haze of the life he was in. I see him now as a human who has struggles like us all. I have never done what he did, but I’ve never walked in his shoes since he was 3 and been in that headspace. 

Then having surgeries and get hooked on medications, and getting arrested for DUI, I know people who have lost themselves and some their lives to addiction. This is nothing to be flippant about. Not one person reading this can safely say nobody they care about is immune to this happening to them. Doctors freely prescribe meds and good people’s lives are bent and twisted ever after. 

To see Tiger get treatment, and later find his love for the sport of golf again, and this time truly enjoy the game as we can see him smiling and having fun with the other golfers during the match, this present day Tiger is a success story that we all can relate to. Tiger is not perfect. He never said he was, and he never wanted to be. We made that image for him to try to live up to. We do this to so many celebrities. And then we cheer their fall and gobble up the sensational headlines and devour the story. Because somehow we think it makes us feel better that they are back down to earth like the rest of us.

Well, I love to see the greats stay great. I do not enjoy seeing them stumble or fall. If they do, I have great sympathy because only they know how hard it was to stay great and strong as long as they did. They warned my admiration because to become great at anything, it takes massive discipline, determination and practice, which very few are willing to devote. 
Tiger, you have my respect. I consider you the GOAT in professional golf (no disrespect to Jack Nicklaus who is your co-GOAT). Your ground-breaking story, the extent of your dominance, and your comeback are inspiring. I look for the good in all people, and I see a lot in you. I hope you win your next major soon.