Tiger Woods: `For All That I Have Done, I Am So Sorry`
In a televised press conference this morning, Tiger Woods said his repeated, irresponsible behavior has been a "personal disappointment." "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated," he told the cameras. His wife Elin did not stand by her man at the conference, but the golf star made it perfectly clear: he was to blame, not her: "I brought this shame on myself."
Tiger stressed that Elin never hit him the day he crashed his SUV on the front lawn. "There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage ever," he explained, adding that his wife has shown enormous grace and poise throughout the ordeal. He wouldn`t elaborate on their current relationship, saying those discussions will remain private.
He acknowledged that he let down his fans, his sponsors and his staff, and he included a special apology to the parents of kids who considered him a role model: "I am truly sorry."
Tiger said he knew his actions were wrong, but he thought the normal rules didn`t apply to him. He felt entitled: "I was wrong. I was foolish. I don`t get to play by different rules."
He said it was difficult to admit he needed help. He has spent 45 days in therapy but has "a long way to go." Starting tomorrow he will leave for more treatment and therapy.
Part of his therapy will be following Buddhism, which has been part of his life since he was a child. He drifted away from it in recent years, but it teaches that "a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security." He stated, "It teaches me to stop following every impulse as I move forward I will continue to receive help because I`ve learned that`s how people really do change."
Tiger said he does plan to return to golf one day, but he doesn`t know when. He doesn`t rule out that it could be this year. He also added the reports he used performance drugs were completely false.
He has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls of encouragement. "Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me," he said.
He closed with a plea to those watching: "I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again. Thank you."
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