A few days ago, as the news about Tiger Woods broke across newscasts, social media and sports sites, there was a collective sadness at seeing the mug shot of the disheveled golf icon. The sadness mingled with scolding, celebration and other forms of schadenfreude.
Woods was arrested for driving under the influence near his Florida home. He soon released a statement to let “the public to know that alcohol was not involved.” He said that “what happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.”
He said he will do everything he can to ensure that this type of thing never happens again, and he thanked the arresting police officers “for their professionalism.”
Forbes columnist Tim Wood said that when he first heard the news, he dismissed Woods’ apology. But then he checked his reaction, and the reactions that spread across the sports world, and wondered if he was becoming part of a problem he sees: sports journalists who are eager to make their opinions a part of the news.
He said in a rush to judgment, many sports writers ignored news that followed the initial story of Woods’ arrest. Namely, police statements backed up Woods’ claim that no alcohol was involved.
The golf icon had apparently been do dazed by the medications that he told the cops that he was driving from Los Angeles to Orange County, California, even though he was a short distance from his Florida home.
Sports broadcaster were so busy burying Woods that they ignored important information that came out after the arrest, the Forbes columnist wrote.
Few people arrested in Cincinnati for OVI are nearly as famous as the golf legend, but many might experience a version of what he has gone through the past few days, as family, co-workers, friends and others might rush to judgment before the facts are fully understood.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help make sure that a court understands the facts in your case. Contact Michael K. Allen & Associates for more information.
