Politics and sports are getting cozier these days. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani—who had his own notorious affair in 2000 that led to his divorce from Donna Hanover—defended Woods this week, telling Us, “He’s going through a tough period. I knew him and at an early stage in my son’s career, he was very kind and nice to him.” Giuliani added, “He’s a very, very fine man…. We know he’s going to get through it.” Giuliani’s son, Andrew, is a rising junior golfer, so perhaps it’s in his best interests to stay on the good side of golf’s most famous player—no matter how damaged his reputation.
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The business mogul spoke out in support of Woods early in the scandal, saying he is going to “be hotter than ever before—mark my words.” Trump, of course, had his own extramarital fiasco in 1992 when he began seeing Marla Maples while still married to his first wife, Ivana. And while Woods’ sponsors may have told him he’s fired, Trump was steadfast in his defense: “[He’s] a great athlete… one of the greatest athletes in the world. He’s had a very interesting and traumatic couple of weeks [but] he’s a wonderful guy.”
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Early in the Tiger Woods drama, former Fugees singer Wyclef Jean tweeted an exuberant message defending the golf star: “WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH HIM DEY SAID HE HAS COMITTED ADULTERY I TOLD DEM HE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE, DEN DAY LEFT TIGER WOODS ALONE.” He continued his defense later (but before all the mistresses came out of the woodwork) saying, “He’s a human being, and he has a family.”
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The typically outspoken former NBA star didn’t hold back when it came to discussing Woods’ infidelities—and even compared Tiger’s indiscretions to his own. “I think people expect me to do it, you know, it’s just Dennis. But Tiger, that’s a different story,” Rodman told Larry King. “Tiger is a great guy. One thing people in this industry have to understand, we built this man to be this great god.” And as for Tiger’s future in the spotlight, Rodman says “I think, as far as Americans, we are so forgiving…. No matter what we do, people here in America is always going to give you the second, third chances."
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Instead of dishing to print magazines, musicians and sport stars are using the comfort of their own home—and computers—to show support for the beleaguered golfer. Like Wyclef, P. Diddy chimed in with Biblical wisdom: “Ye without sin cast the 1st stone!!!! Put down your rocks sinner!!!!! Tiger keep your head up! God bless your fam Black man!”
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Sports stars, apparently, stick together. Early on, O’Neal had the back of his fellow Florida resident: "Tiger's my guy," O'Neal said. "I'm not going to be like everybody else and say off-the-wall comments. I just hope he's OK."
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New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush also got on Twitter to voice his defense in 140 characters. “Everybody trying to kick Tiger while he down! But when he bounces back like a champ they'll be back on his jock once again! Band Wagon!” After people were shocked by his supposed defense, Bush tweeted an hour later: “I don't remember saying I supported his actions? If u read carefully u will see that I'm saying they will be his best friends when he wins.”
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Rapper and VH1 reality star Ray J—best known for being the younger brother of Brandy and for his sex tape with then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian—told Fox News that the public shouldn’t vilify poor Tiger. “Let Tiger Woods be a man. Sometimes you're a man and you have a bad night. Let that man be a man,” he said. And before Accenture and Gillette started distancing themselves from their once-squeaky clean spokesman, Ray J said, “He should absolutely [be able to keep endorsement deals]. He didn’t do anything wrong on the golf field, is that how you say it? I don't golf.”
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The Godfather of Rap took a different approach when reacting to the Woods scandal, saying in a recent interview with Esquire he was "down with Tiger Woods. I'm just disgusted with all these women that keep popping up. What do they think— they're gonna get points? That just despicable, you whore."
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When you’re literally Tiger Woods’ bagman, blind support is to be expected. Woods’ longtime caddie Steve Williams finally defended the boss this week: "Obviously, I understand Tiger has got a problem,” Williams said, after repeatedly claiming he had no idea what was going on in Tiger’s personal life. “I have always stated that my last caddie job will be caddying for Tiger," Williams said. While he doesn’t offer up an outright defense of the man, Williams is playing his cards right—at least when it comes to his future employment: "I am committed to him. I understand he needs a break to sort his personal stuff out. And I will be there for him when he wishes to return to play."
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