Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

What else can be said about Tiger Woods that hasn't already been written, spoken or rumored in the past week?

After days of silence followed by efforts to quiet the storm, Woods finally spoke up on Wednesday.

As news stories reported several women claiming to have had affairs with Woods, the 33-year-old golfer tried to clear the air with a statement on his web site, Woods admitted to "transgressions" and acknowledged that he had let his family down, but he promised he would strive to be a better person.

A week ago he was Tiger the invincible. By the weekend, he became Tiger the car accident victim. And now, as late night comedians salivate at the opportunities for comic gold, he has become Tiger the imperfect husband.

One commentator called it a "stunning fall from grace" for a beloved superstar athlete forced to acknowledge that he is "human." Another column, titled "Tigers and Golf Clubs and Trees, Oh My!," uses Tiger's own words against him:  "I think we've avoided a lot of media attention because we're kind of boring," he said.

No longer boring, Tiger Woods was forced to apologize publicly to stop the steady drip of news stories. Now his story could help sell magazines and newspapers for days to come.

Woods's full apology is printed below:

Statement By Tiger Woods

I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

Tiger Woods photo by Keith Allison.