Today, I happened to catch a glance at the news. The story was focused on Tiger Woods and his day in Court, with him pleading to charges arising from his driving under the influence episode several months back. I remember when it happened, because it reminded that so many are good at kicking a person when he is down. Our society is an expert at this. This is one of the reasons I have always tended to take the opposite tact. The underdog is ALWAYS my hero. I guess it comes from having spent a lifetime feeling as if I, myself, am the underdog. In a society that spits rebuke into the face of Black men,this kind of comes naturally to me. I say all of this to say, that in 1999 or so, I was no particular fan of the sport of golf, though I am an avid fan of sports, generally. Then came Tiger. For some unknown reason, one Sunday afternoon, I started to watch. I learned all of the intricacies of the game, and what was generally possible for most players. It didn’t take me long to see that Tiger was capable of things that other players simply were not. He made me see a beauty in a sport that, up until him, I had ignored. For a ten year period, I saw golf played at the absolutely highest level. The golf course became his canvas for putting us in touch with God, because only God could have used him to have brought out such beauty. For this, I will ALWAYS be grateful. I think that it would be totally classless of me if I was to kick him while he is down, knowing that this man gave me so many moments of joy while watching him play golf. I can NEVER forget that gift. So, for all kinds of reasons, when others abandon Tiger Woods, I will be one of those who remains a constant in his corner. I know what it feels like to have dirt kicked into one’s face. I know what it’s like to feel isolated and alone. I have been there. Tiger Woods will always be someone that I admire and respect for bringing out the beauty of God, in one of His most wondrous aspects. Thank you, Mr. Tiger Woods!