Tiger Woods is known for his quiet reserve, intense drive, his iconic athleticism, good sportsmanship, and the discipline he inherited from his father. The love of his parents and charitable contributions are well documented. A flash of his smile lights up any room and his consideration of his fans adoration is known around the world.

Tiger has never claimed to be perfect; in fact he has never given an interview discussing his personal life, his personal feelings or even his view of himself as an elite athlete. He has never discussed how he feels about attention from women. He is not known for hanging out in a fast crowd, and he has not sought attention from the paparazzi that hounds other celebrities.

Accidents happen, people get distracted, fall asleep, drop coffee or their cell phone, get their foot stuck on the gas pedal, disassociate, try to multi-task, have heart attacks, anxiety attacks, are startled or have an animal or person run in front of their car.

Unless Tiger’s accident was due to a DUI, caused an injury to another party, caused a death, was guilty of intentional reckless driving, being held at gun point, kidnapped, an attempted carjacking or someone tampering with the brakes of his car, then it is none of our business.

Tiger is paid to be an athlete. He is chosen to endorse products because of his outstanding public behavior. He is chosen because he is the best at what he does. We know nothing of his personal life, values, thoughts, his role as man, husband and father other than our collective public assumptions of his character, advertisers and media’s manipulation of his projected image.

Finally, if he did have an alleged marital discord or affair, do any of us know his wife? Do any of us know what it is like to be married to someone so disciplined or famous? Do any of us know how he deals with stress, depression or anxiety? There are so many questions that could be asked, but the fact of the matter is that unless you are personally in a relationship with that person, sleep in their bed or confide in them, it is none of your business.

Why is it that a single vehicle accident in central Florida causes every media stringer to turn over every rock in North America, looking for the dirt. Which of us could stand the media scrutiny that Tiger is now forced to put up with. Are you perfect? He has never professed to be perfect.

In today’s economy, with families and marriages under tremendous duress it is time to focus on your own family, finances, fears, and relationships and to contribute positively to something or someone. Only when the ratings are affected negatively will the media recognize people’s right to privacy even those we falsely feel we know who they are.

Make it an Excuse Free_(tm) Day! Dr. Leslie Seppinni