03/30/2026
Stop the Tiger Woods shaming.
There’s something that never sits right with me when moments like this happen.
Tiger Woods is one of the greatest athletes to ever live. A man who has carried pressure, scrutiny, expectations, and personal battles at a level most people will never come close to understanding. And yet, the moment something goes wrong, the noise instantly shifts to criticism, judgment, and negativity.
Let me be clear. If someone makes a mistake, especially something serious like allegedly driving under the influence, it should not be excused. Accountability matters.
But what’s equally troubling is how quickly people rush to tear someone down when they’re already at a low point.
Guilt and shame are two of the most powerful forces that keep people stuck, sick, and struggling.
I know this firsthand. Guilt and shame around my own drug and alcohol use kept me high and prevented me from getting sober for years.
Now imagine dealing with that… not privately… but with the entire world watching, judging, and talking about it nonstop.
Most people can barely handle the weight of their own mistakes in their personal lives.
This is a man having his struggles discussed on national television, across social media, and around the world.
It’s easy to judge when you’ve never experienced even a fraction of that pressure. It’s easy to say what someone should or shouldn’t have done when you haven’t walked in their shoes.
We’re talking about a living legend. Someone who has inspired millions, changed a sport forever, and overcome adversity more times than most people ever will.
And yet, instead of showing any level of understanding or restraint, people choose to pile on.
That says more about us than it does about him.
You don’t have to defend bad decisions to recognize that kicking someone while they’re down is a reflection of character.
Shame doesn’t heal people. It keeps them stuck. And none of us are above that.
