Article about Tiger’s other side worth another look

So Tiger Woods, Rick Pitino and David Letterman are comparing scorecards, and . . .

There’s going to be no end to the jokes and speculation about the world’s greatest golfer. Particularly now that Us Weekly has a story out saying that Jaimee Grubbs, a cocktail waitress who appeared on the “Tool Academy” reality TV series, is claiming to have had a 31-month affair with Woods. (Photo by AP/VH1)

How bad are things for Tiger? Well, both John Daly and Charles Barkley have weighed in with damage-control advice, which is kind of like having Jack Kevorkian as your volunteer spin doctor.

Tiger engaged in wishful thinking with a statement on his website that said, in part:

“I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”

All of which makes it worthwhile to dig into the archives, to read again perhaps the only article that really took a look at Tiger’s seamier side. Charles Pierce’s 1997 profile for Esquire was filled with dirty jokes and double entendres, and made repeated use of the word “hound.”

For those who don’t mind X-rated language, it bears another look while we wait for Woods’ next public appearance.

Meantime, what’s the difference between a golf ball and a car? Tiger can drive a golf ball over 300 yards.

Here are some other lunchtime topics to munch on:

. . . If Tiger’s situation isn’t enough of a wake-up call for athletes on the prowl, consider that the Chiefs’ Chris Chambers had an affair with a woman who now faces 11 misdemeanor charges for allegedly stalking him. The groupies have definitely stepped up their game lately.

. . . But hey, a video of Marilyn Monroe smoking pot has surfaced and there’s no sign of Joe DiMaggio in it, so at least one sports legend remains untainted.

. . . On Twitter, the Titans’ bolt of lightning, Chris Johnson, says he has heard that the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo wants to arrange a 40-yard dash showdown. In full pads, it would be no contest for CJ.

. . . Real Clear Sports.com is calling John Calipari the “Urban Meyer of college basketball” for still having John Wall on the floor to make this dunk with 2:11 left in a 92-54 blowout against UNC-Asheville.

. . . Bill Belichick told Boston reporters there’s no move afoot to extricate Charlie Weis from the unemployment line and return him to the Patriots’ coaching staff. Duh. And this just in, the Pats don’t have a welcome-back mat out for Eric Mangini either.

. . . Yes, Brazil really is considering legal action against Robin Williams, for his comment on Letterman that Rio de Janeiro beat Chicago for the 2016 Olympics because they sent “50 strippers and a pound of blow” to do their lobbying. If it gets to court, all Williams needs is any five minutes of video from Carnival.

. . . The New York Jets brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi to give Mark Sanchez a lesson on how to slide. Appearing next as a guest coach for the Jets, Dr. Heimlich.

. . . Longterm fantasy alert: The Bush era is over at the White House, and also apparently coming to a close in New Orleans. Next season’s $8 million cap number for Reggie Bush reportedly will be too much to bear for the Saints, and who thought we’d see him on the free agent market so soon?

. . . Ron Artest admits to The Sporting News that he used to throw down some hard liquor at halftime. So, when he got triple-vision, did he just aim for the hoop in the middle?

. . . The Allen Iverson road show may never come to an end. I’m guessing it won’t be long until he leaves the 76ers for the Globetrotters.

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