Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Nike Tiger Commercial

DirtyMagic97

By DirtyMagic97,
in Huddle Lounge

Recommended Posts

cookinbrak Grand Master

cookinbrak

Posted
Posted

Tiger wants you to forgive, and buy Nikes

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods had gone home for the day by the time the cute little kids in green hats and white overalls scampered across the greens, and the trio of greatest living Masters champions got together for a sentimental reunion in the par-3 contest that is an annual tradition at Augusta National.

A shame, because even though his own kids aren't here, the gathering on the eve of the Masters would have been the perfect way to show off the new Woods that we've been promised. A time to show him having a few laughs with the guys and doing something Woods vowed to do just two days earlier -- give back to the fans.

A time to take some of the sting off a new tabloid report that, if true, makes him look even more despicable. Without going into detail, it included the words "21-year-old," "neighbor" and "sex."

Who knows why he didn't show. He may have had dinner plans or a session with his addiction sponsor. He might even have been using the afternoon to work on his new cause -- helping other people who, like himself, suffer from the terrible affliction of not being able to keep their pants on when it matters most.

So he left it to the marketing people who made him a star in the first place. The making of a new image began not with Woods reaching out to fans at the par-3, but with an ill-advised, ill-timed Nike commercial. It invokes the voice of his late father who wants to know if his son had learned his lesson. Woods, wearing a Swoosh on his cap and on his vest, also wears a soulful look -- as if he had just been taken to the woodshed.

It wasn't the first time Earl Woods entered the conversation this week. Woods brought up his father the other day, blaming the stress of his dad's final illness for his fondness for the sleeping drug Ambien.

But this was even more crass. This was even more calculating. This was flat out nauseating.

"I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything?" Dad asks.

There's no answer, but it could have been: "Yes, sir. I learned to be more careful when I send text messages."

Indeed, the attempt by Nike to begin trying to craft public opinion in Woods' favor is so cartoonish it's laughable. Selling shoes is one thing, but selling moral rehabilitation is better left to those who do it on Sunday.

Maybe the people behind the Swoosh are so worried they'll lose their franchise they're desperate to try anything. Or maybe they've just figured out they needed to do something -- and fast -- because people aren't buying what Woods says, either.

Augusta National chairman Billy Payne became the first top golf official to call Woods out Wednesday with a tongue-lashing delivered as part of his remarks to open the tournament.

"I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile," Payne said.

The world's greatest golfer tees it up Thursday for the first time in five months, and for the first time since he reinvented himself as a changed man. He's doing it on the biggest stage in golf, a place where he catapulted into superstardom, a place where he's won four times.

He's contrite, humble, and eager to give back to a game that made him wealthy beyond belief. He wants to be a better man, and he's determined to do it the right way.

At least that's what Woods and his image-makers want us to believe.

That's why we saw Woods sign a few autographs earlier this week, and roll a few golf balls to kids off the 18th green. That's why he actually looked in the direction of a few fans during his practice round.

If it seems plastic, maybe that's because it is. If Woods seems to be following a script, maybe that's because he is.

Fans here don't seem sure how to respond to him just yet. Woods gets scattered, if polite, applause and there's an occasional shout out of "Go Tiger." But, while there seems to be respect for his game, there doesn't seem to be a lot of affection for the person.

That could change as time goes on, he wins a few tournaments, and the details of his sordid secret life recede from memory. It might even change if Woods could do the improbable and win a green jacket on Sunday.

So if you buy the new image, go ahead and cheer. Stand up and scream for Woods the way you might have once before.

And if you really want to help the guy, go buy some new Nikes.

____

Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at [email protected]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • JawnyBlaze
      Why does Bryce get the blame?

      By JawnyBlaze · Posted

      It wasn’t completely his fault, but outside of two throws and one or two scrambles he didn’t do much to help. His accuracy was all over the place, numerous passes that were placed poorly and didn’t give the receiver a good chance to catch the ball or do anything with it after. He also continues to display terrible pocket awareness. Even the sacks could have been avoided, they weren’t immediate like the pressure we got on Shough at times. Bryce just often has no feel for pressure and stands there waiting to get sacked after numerous seconds have passed. 
    • TylerDurden
      Possibly playoff affectng news

      By TylerDurden · Posted

      I really fuging hate this era in so many ways.  I look at those Adin Ross and Neon kids, and I just wonder why tf are they famous?  Why would anyone be desperate enough to gain THAT audience that they’d risk money, career, disciplinary action to go up there and associate with those fuging dweebs?  And back in my day, racist peers got their ass beat.  And not endorsing or approving bully culture, but checks and balances and all…  had those two been bullied, or at the very least humbled, they wouldn’t be famous and glorified for being the fuging idiots they are now.  It seriously pisses me off… they both have done and said multiple, openly racist stuff and major media keeps pushing them, talking about them, and propping them up… and then dummies like Puka who don’t need the platform or exposure lend their celebrity to them.  fuging idiot… and even the other streamers, I don’t get - Speed, Kai…  I don’t understand making nobodies famous at all, but there is at least entertainment value to some degree there, and I could see how young, impressionable kids would find them something to aspire to (sadly), or view as “cool.”  But Ross and Neon?  They’re just shitty, shitty nerds with big ass mouths. I’ve went back recently and watched some classics (in two very different eras and categories 😂)  like Robocop and Idiocracy.  And what I find fascinating is how both movies illustrate how stupid society became by showing what the citizenry is entertained by.  In both, society became anti-intellectual and the citizenry were entertained by lowest denominator, primal-type absurdity - poo like, “Ouch! My Balls!”  Or on Robocop, a guy is a watching a show where they are smashing cakes on ladies’ breasts and then a guy says a line as the camera zooms in like, “I’d buy that for a dollar!” and the audience thinks it’s hilarious.  That’s where I feel like we are now.  Like who watches that clip with Puka and thinks any of that poo is funny or cool?  If I was Puka, I’d honestly be wondering why tf I’m hanging out with these beta ass, racist, cretin ass weirdos.
    • CPF4LIFE
      If you can only fire ONE person before 2026....

      By CPF4LIFE · Posted

      7 wins this year and some of those against really good teams and yall think Canales might get fired? Lol Good luck getting a better coach in here if that happens.  
×
×
  • Create New...