Wednesday, May 3, 2006, 08:20 PM EST
[
tiger woods]
When my father passed away six years ago, a friend of mine told me that the true mark of a man is the legacy that he leaves behind. And, although he never met my father, he could tell that my father was a good husband and father just by seeing how I conducted myself. It was a compliment that came to mind again today when I learned of Earl Woods' passing.
I never met Earl Woods. More than likely, I'll never meet Tiger Woods. But from what I've seen so far, the elder Woods has left a lasting impression in the guise of his young son.
Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world - that much is obvious. But he is much more than that. A philanthropist. A role model. An icon. For those things, and for so much more, Earl Woods is largely responsible. And contrary to popular opinion, Earl was not merely a father living vicariously through the athletic endeavors of his son - he was a man with a vision.
No one knew what the plan was when a 2-year-old Tiger Woods appeared on the Mike Douglas show in 1978, already a golf prodigy in the making. Only Earl saw the possibilities when he took his young son to the golf course day after day, molding him into the global star he is today. Perhaps it wasn't meant for us to understand, only to appreciate and enjoy. And we have done just that.
No one should ever doubt the legacy of Earl Woods - if so, one look at his son will tell you everything you need to know.
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