It wasn’t long ago that the biggest controversy in Tiger Woods’ life was whether or not he farted. Remember that? Ah, those were the days. Now he’s refusing police interviews, TMZ is going through his garbage and there’s a dented tree and mangled fire hydrant out front of the house. Wasn’t that a scene in It’s a Wonderful Life? Clarence, I think Tiger needs your help right now.
(Tiger reaches into pocket) “Zuzu’s petals!”
Will get into the details a little later, but right now let’s focus on the only indisputable fact: The 911 call placed at the time of the accident has to be the most confusing in the history of emergency calls.
Video of the emergency call, and audio of Tiger Woods’ statement, following the jump.
Excerpt from 911 call:
DISPATCHER: Is it a car accident, sir?
(*PHONE BREAKS UP*)
DISPATCHER: Ok, sir? Sir, is it a car accident? Hello? Sir? Hello?
NEIGHBOR: Hello, yes.
DISPATCHER: Is it a car accident, sir?
NEIGHBOR: Yes, it’s a car accident. Yes. I need you to…yes
DISPATCHER: OK, now are they trapped inside of the vehicle?
NEIGHBOR: No, they’re laying on the ground now.
DISPATCHER: OK, stay on the line for medical. Don’t hang up, OK? And it’s in front of your house, correct?
NEIGHBOR (to someone else): And get some water.
DISPATCHER: OK, sir, medical’s on the line, sir OK?
NEIGHBOR: Yes, Windermere, Florida, In the Isleworth subdivision.
RESCUE: What happened? What’s wrong?
NEIGHBOR: I have a…well, a neighbor, he hit the tree. And we came out here just to see what was going on. I see him, he’s laying down.
RESCUE: You mean it was an auto accident?
NEIGHBOR: Yes, there was an auto accident. Yes.
RESCUE: OK, is he outside or inside his car?
(*STATIC*)
RESCUE: Your phone broke up. I heard “inside”. You there?
NEIGHBOR: Hello?
DISPATCHER: Hello, sir? You there?
NEIGHBOR: Yes.
RESCUE: Your phone broke up there.
NEIGHBOR: Ok. I gotcha.
The groggy accident victim in those OnStar commercials made more sense. Thanks for calling, guy.
Woods released a statement on Sunday, saying that and that the accident was his fault and that it was “a private matter.”
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Big, overriding question here: If this is just an innocent fender-bender, as Tiger seems to be claiming, then why stonewall the cops? By hunkering down and avoiding questions, he’s just fanning the flames of speculation. Bad move, Tiger. Did your caddy call for that?
***
Tiger calls his accident ‘a private matter’ [NBCSports]
Woods takes blame for crash; 911 call released [WESH.com]
Audio: Tiger Woods 911 Call From Accident Scene [SportsbyBrooks]
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- DIANA - Dec 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
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Hey Bob,
Do you tell your boss everything you do in your private life? They pay your salary. If it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t be able to pay your bills or live in whateve lifestyle you live.
These people are entertainers, nothing more. We get something in return for paying to see them – entertainment, nothing more.
So until you start telling your boss everything you do- get a life and stop living through these people.
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- Jake - Dec 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
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Apparently not everyone is in possession of all the facts of the case, insofar as they have been released to the public thus far.
1. Tiger Woods has complied fully with the law and is not required to speak with police or Highway Patrol officers any further than he already has. And yes, any regular Joe Schmo would have exactly the same rights in this case.
2. However, although there is no longer any legal issue at question, the much more problematic PR issues remain for Tiger.
This would already be a dead story if he had immediately issued a statement to the effect of “I had a fight with my wife, I was upset, and I crashed my car. It was dumb and I apologize to my neighbors and anyone else who was inconvenienced by this incident.” Period. Or if that was uncomfortably TMI for the famously private man, he could even have just said, “I have complied fully and readily with my obligations under the law. Beyond that, this is a private matter and I would ask that it be left as such.” Which is pretty much what he did, except that he scheduled and re-schedule and eventually canceled his interview with the FHP. He should have politely and respectfully told them from the very beginning that he would prefer to keep the incident private and would not be talking with them.
That would have been it. End of story. But he’s made a mess of it by allowing his attorney and PR agent to convince him to play the “spin” game. For a guy who’s so incredibly talented and savvy in so many ways, this is a surprisingly dumb series of events…
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- James Woodruff - Dec 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
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I agree that any normal person who has had a single car wreck would be questioned by the police AND give sobriety tests as well. That is what would happen to anyone else who refuse to talk to police. I’ve seen enough Cop shows to see the pattern of their behavior. I mean it IS suspicious that person have wreck in own driveway practically and not raise suspicions. The OJ syndrome at work again,lol. Just missing the slow car chase(?) is all. AND my main reason for bring him to the CARPET like all of us is: he is so magnanamous that it actually takes 15 min of his time EVERY YEAR to sign autographs, as per golf mag. Other players will sign autographs for at least 15 min after every tournament!!!! I quit liking him a long time ago. I feel a sense of arrogance from him. He put self in ‘limelight’ and the role will bring scrutiny from those who are paying him through products and such. Tiger quit acting like you are above the law and us all by condesending to everyone even police whom tolerate it. Justice in America is for the rich. I get nothing where i am. Unless police see a traffic infraction or whatever unless they see it they will refuse to respond!!1 The fantasy job. Respond or not hmm..i’m not in the mood right now so don’t care about minor things like traffic laws enforcement. Ugh, i hate that menial job as they make good bucks for getting to CHOOSE what to do. Work or not, lost respect for them too.
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- swohbear - Dec 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM
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When I first read this story something did not seem right. Then I read about the so called mistress and she does not seem to fit either. Something tells me that the whole mistress side of this story was a set up by someone or tabloids. When you start to look at her deal she reads like a high priced floozy. Was poor Tiger set up, pictures taken that were not taken out of context and his wife freaked? This chick has been passed around more than a blank at a frat party. Hard to believe Tiger would throw the perfect life away for that $%@#$%#. Whatever happen the other night Tiger should come forward make a comment, be as honest as his lawyers will allow and move on.
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- sbc111 - Dec 1, 2009 at 2:42 PM
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It’s ridiculous how some are saying there was no blood in the car .. based on what? A news story claiming that some unknown cop claimed there was no blood in the car. What, did they impound it and examine it closely in broad daylight? No.
Of all the possible explanations for what happened, the idea that little 100lb Elin managed to thrash her her 6′ 1″ 185lb athlete of a husband – in the face – with a golf club, is about the furthest from likelihood as any. It was reported that he had cuts to his upper and lower lip … but no broken teeth? Imagine said 4 iron, swung straight into said face, with enough force to cut his lips but miss his teeth. Even Phil Mickelson couldn’t pull that off.
Give me a break. Give it a rest, people.
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- sbc111 - Dec 1, 2009 at 2:46 PM
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p.s. to the author of this article, you’re a moron. Have you ever witnessed, or worse, ever been in the middle of the chaos at an accident scene? The caller was trying to respond to people at the scene and talk to 911 at the same time. This is just another example of a writer with too little talent to come up with anything worthwhile to write about, taking advantage of the situation.
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- sbc111 - Dec 1, 2009 at 4:36 PM
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Thank you, Florida Highway Patrol. They just announced there is no credible evidence of domestic violence in either direction, nor of driving under the influence of any substance. They found Tiger to be at fault for the accident, and there will be a $165 ticket for careless driving, full stop, end of discussion. May this media feeding frenzy and all the BS accusations come to an end. You don’t know what happened, it’s none of your f’ing business, find something worthwhile to write and talk about. Have a nice day.
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- Brad Kost - Dec 2, 2009 at 10:59 AM
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Cats finally out of the bag on Mr Perfect..what comes around goes around…Tiger should take the responsibilty for his actions like a real man would do..not hide in his house like a child..
