Re: TIGER WOODS hurt in car accident.
I guess I'm a typical casual fan--hardly ever watch golf when Tiger's not in contention. And when I do tune in, I want to know immediately how well he's doing. "Get the leader board up, right now!" I agree that on occasion they do put too much emphasis on his game. But remember, when he's in contention, the TV audience DOUBLES. You don't think the producers and directors of coverage know that? So showing more live Tiger than he probably deserves is (was?) just good business.
In my own case, I'm usually a guy who roots against established powers. I'm never quite so happy as when the Yankees, Michigan or Notre Dame lose. Particularly if it's humiliating. Being from Chicago, you can also take it to the bank that I detest the Mets (the memory of '69 is still painful). So why do I enjoy watching Tiger? Hard to say, except that he's the best. And the first people to confirm that are the guys he plays against. Not a single one of them would disagree with the proposition that when he's "brought his A game" he can't be beaten.
As to my use of the word prodigy I was, of course, referring to his early accomplishments (let's not forget three straight U.S. Amateur titles which no one else has accomplished). And I was referring to golf only. And in that context, I dont think it's possible to credibly suggest a misapplication of the word.
I haven't invested anything in Tiger, either emotionally or financially. I don't buy the products he endorses (well, ok, the razor blades, a guy's gotta shave) probably because I can't afford them. When I was a kid I thought Ernie Banks was maybe the greatest person on the planet (turns out he was) but that was just childish hero worshipping. I don't/didn't have such thoughts about Tiger. I just enjoyed watching him play. And unless this current situation results in prison time or a cessation of his career, I plan to do so again, in the not too distant future.
Actually, in my case, a "bad boy" image might make him more appealing to me. The boxer I really liked as a kid was Sonny Liston, and you don't get much badder than that. And we ain't talkin' 'bout no foolin' around with women here, we're talking about prison time for, among other things, smashing a St. Louis cop's leg with the officer's own baton. Very bad boy. A bigger, stronger Mike Tyson with a worse attitude. And he was my guy. Go figure.
Michigan sucks too. 
