Tiger Woods spoke to ESPN today, and the five minute interview was rather unspectacular. I was personally annoyed by something I found disingenuous: His desire to apologize to everyone for his undisclosed problem. I know it sounds good, but it’s complete nonsense to think he owes anyone other than his wife Elin Nordegren an apology. But then again, I’m biased. For the life of me, I don’t know how someone who seemingly has everything can risk it for so little. Come on, he’s married to her:

Tiger Wood's wife, Elin Nordegren

Former model Elin Nordegren

Mrs. Tiger Woods, Elin NOrdegren

Then, we have the girlfriends. They’re certainly not chopped liver, but are they really worth it? A beautiful wife, two children, fun job, lots of money, and you act like an idiot? Oh that’s right, he’s sick and getting treatment. I forgot.

Tiger Woods' girlfriend, Rachel Uchitel

Tiger Woods' mistress, Jaimee Grubbs

Another Tiger Woods girlfriend: Jamie Jungers

Actress and Tiger Woods Girlfriend, Holly Sampson

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.

Women have seemingly come out of the woodwork claiming they have had affairs with Tiger Woods. There are also rumors about Tiger Woods’ wife Elin Nordegren causing his injuries. If you are a fan or casual observer who is somehow offended by this behavior, get a life. If these rumors are true, they owe apologies to each other and their children, no one else. Private matters should remain private.

I’m sure there are some who feel that celebrities and athletes owe the public some picture of human perfection, but this is misguided. For Woods, anything that occurs off the golf course is none of my business or yours. Now, if an athlete were injured or found to cheat, then this is a topic that demands coverage, and in the case of cheating, an apology.

My biggest problem is with the emphasis placed on this story. It bothers me that more people are probably following the Tiger Woods story than Climategate, the troop surge in Afghanistan, or the health care bill. The media and its readers are both responsible for their poor focus. One focuses on the nonsense, while the other pours solely through this type of “news” due to laziness or a lack of intellectual curiosity.

1. Where was Tiger Woods going at 2am in the morning?

2. Did his wife, Elin Nordegren, cause his injuries?

3. Is Tiger Woods Woods cheating on his wife?

4. Was he using prescription pain-killers at the time of the accident?

5. Police have made 3 visits to his house to question him, but haven’t yet. Is he hiding something?

And the most important question…Is it really any of our business?

Tiger Woods is a golfer. If you’re a golf fan and he injures himself, it’s your business, since you follow that sport and his injury would affect your hobby. As far as his marriage, where he’s going, and how he received cuts on his face, it’s none of our business.

I first found out about the accident on Drudge Report. Since the original article, which I found to be newsworthy, the site has placed Tiger Woods articles near the top of the page with bold headlines. Not only were important topics placed at a lower point on the page, but other important news stories were completely ignored. A terrorist attack on a Russian train killed 25 and injured many more, yet there was no mention of it on Drudge Report.

Drudge Report was singled out for this example, but they are far from the only ones. The typical person seems to have a certain ignorance about the news that is compounded by the “tabloidization” of legitimate news sources. It’s just another way in which the collective I.Q. is being eroded.

By the way, if you are a TIger Woods fan, here is his press release. It’s what he cares to share, free of all the media speculation and media headlines.

As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I’m pretty sore.

This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.

This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.

Now, as a reward for finishing this post, I leave you with some pictures of Tiger Woods’ wife, Elin Nordegren.

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren