Stuart Scott Thinks People Who Say Tiger Doesn't Do Enough Need to Shut Up

Earlier MDS noted that the Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg caught up with Stuart Scott at the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am yesterday, and like most people at pro-am events, they talked about sports blogs.

Near the end of Steinberg's post on the festivities, he notes that Scott's answer of the day came in an interview with Sports Groove's Mark Gray, "who asked about the criticism Tiger receives for not being outspoken enough." Scott's response:

"All the people who say Tiger doesn't do enough, stop," Scott said. "Shut up. Shut up....He's got about as much money as Oprah, but it's important for him to do something tangible for kids. Tangible."

As much as it pains me, I agree with Scott on this one. For some reason, certain segments of the population think high-profile athletes should have an opinion on every social issue under the sun.

During the "hey, I got an idea: let's lynch Tiger!" fiasco, Jim Brown said Woods "waited until it was politically correct to come out and he should have come out right away." Maybe. Or perhaps Tiger just wanted the whole thing to blow over. Frankly, I have no idea why he didn't hold a press conference denouncing Kelly Tilghman as the next coming of Hitler (or worse, the Celtics), but I can't begrudge the guy for how he ultimately chose to deal with it the matter.

More generally, though, seldom anything good comes from athletes voicing their opinions on non-sports-related topics. Take, for example, Clinton Portis' take on dogfighting: he was for it before he was against it. I'm guessing the Earth would've continued to orbit the Sun if he hadn't been asked about Ron Mexico's private life, and we would've all probably been better off.

Plus, as Scott mentioned, professional athletes can accomplish a lot more through their charities than the through their thoughts on how to fix the mortgage crisis, or create more jobs.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-04-2008 @ 1:17AM

George B Vieto said...

Stuart Scott can go jump off the Bridge of the Americas into the Panama Canal if he can't stand the Tiger Woods critics. When ESPN bashes the New York Yankees I turn the mute button on or change the channel. Tiger prefers to shut up and let his golf game do the talking and that is all right with me. Different strokes for different folks on atheles speaking up on politcal issues.

7-04-2008 @ 9:49AM

Denny said...

I think Tiger Wood's Foundation FOR kids, and his over 800 million dollars donated to many charities TO/FOR kids speaks volumes...

Objective analysts, writers and commentators have uncovered and revealed details of many many OTHER programs he and many other "stars" in all sports sponsor FOR others with their time and money "behind the scenes" which are NOT publicized nor promoted publicly

Yes, some programs can be debated as to whether they help or relate to the "everyday" kid/teen. One thing that can NOT be debated is that Tiger, like everyone else, has the right to choose to whom and what to donate his time, money and efforts....

I wonder what some of the Tiger critics, commentators, etc., do FOR others with their resources, time and money...I am sure some do "good things", but obviously some appear to "contribute" to society via their mouth...

It is easy to hide behind the computer and critique and criticize others for what they should be doing...

My question? Wonder what the "critics", "writers" and "commentators" and other wannabees actually DO for society/others in addition to passing judgement on the world?

The "Ryan Wilsons", "Stuart Scotts", etc., of the world sure express a lot of opinions and jugements about others via their computers. Now, THAT activity is a real contribution to society...DO something - stop talking as if you were the moral compasses and judges and juries of the world....

7-05-2008 @ 6:37AM

After being advised to "read an article 3 times" before I comment by a "famous" person (HE knows who he is....), I would like to apologize publicly to RYAN WILSON for my smears at/about him.

That's right - I have TOTALLY misinterpreted the message of a few of Ryan Wilson's articles, including of course this one. I have been unfair and wrong with some of my words directed at Ryan.

I know this note sets me up for Ryan or his "fans" to reply back at me for perhaps offending them, but I have NO agenda apologizing other than simply to say I have been unfair and inaccurate about Ryan Wilson.

I also know that those who disagree with Ryan Wilson might reply to me calling me "spineless, whimp, etc...."(I have already recieved such notes).

I can't "win" in this situation - I shouldn't. I have to take the medicine for being unfair, etc...

But, I can do and say what is RIGHT and RESPECTFUL publicly. And, that is to say - "Ryan Wilson, I apologize!"