The notoriously apolitical pro golfer announced his acceptance of the invitation to speak at the January 18 "We Are One" pre-inaugural concert a few days before the event took place. He said he was "honored" to be invited. There's no evidence that he was subjected to "intense pressure" to attend.
He did, in fact, deliver the speech transcribed above. It was televised along with the rest of the concert by HBO.
He did, in fact, salute the nation's military without once mentioning Obama — just as Samuel L. Jackson saluted the nation's civil rights heroes without once mentioning Obama, Tom Hanks saluted Abraham Lincoln without once mentioning Obama, Marisa Tomei delivered a quote from Ronald Reagan without once mentioning Obama, and so on. It would appear that, if anything, the speakers were instructed not to pay direct homage to the President.
As for the alleged "media blackout" concerning Woods' remarks, you won't find transcripts or detailed descriptions of any of the other speeches in news coverage of the event, either.
Lastly, it's implied that Woods' feelings toward President Obama are antipathetical. Let's give him a chance to speak for himself.
"I think it's absolutely incredible," he told CNBC when asked how he felt about Obama winning the election. "He represents America. He's multiracial. I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime, but he didn't get to see it. I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House." When asked what his father would have thought of Obama's ascendancy, Woods said, "He would have cried. Absolutely no doubt about it."
"I think the thing that impressed me the most about him," Woods wrote in his newsletter after meeting the President, "was the way he carries himself. He has great leadership qualities, and his accomplishment truly embodies what's best about America. He represents what we as Americans have in common, not perceived differences."
At last report, Woods and the President were making plans to play a round of golf together.
And he's still his own man.
Email This Article
Sources and further reading:
Tiger Woods Accepts Inauguration Invitation as Speaker
Associated Press, 16 January 2009Woods Makes Remarks at Sunday's Inauguration Event in Washington
Text of speech courtesy of PGA.comVideo: Tiger Woods at Obama Celebration
HBO broadcast of Woods' speechGolf Date for Tiger and Obama?
Golf.com, 4 February 2009Video: Tiger Woods Speaks About President Obama
MSNBC, 11 November 2009
Last updated 09/10/09
