A Learning experience for us all: How NOT To manage a Crisis

[rgG]

Here is what was posted today on his website.

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.

[chopper]

I've been around Michael Jordan 4-5 times a year for the last five or so years. I don't know him at all other than I physically ran into him once (ouch!).

Let me just say this: I hope he does have a half a billion dollars. Because the fish bowl he is forced to live in would, for me, be unbearable for any sum less than that.

[pRICE cUBE]

Ah yes, the calling out the media and tabloids routine. The only thing that gets you is even more scrutiny. It is like throwing grease on a fire to put it out.

He doesn't realize that unlike the traditional media that he keeps on a leash because they need access to him, the tabloids and gossip sites don't care about ever having interviews with him and are going to work on this even harder now that he has called them out, they smell blood in the water.

My guess, more of his affairs will come out to get their payday and this is going to get worse before it gets better.

Allegedly cheating on your wife, in public places while being the most famous golfer in the world is not going to get you a lot of privacy. Is it right what tabloids do? IMO, no, but it isn't like they spouted up yesterday pout of nowhere.

[Dennis S]

Sometimes I think Jerry Seinfeld's "Even Steven" philosophy applies.

[jdc]

one of his best buds is charles barkley...

[$tevie]

davester wrote:
The crisis is that there are all these 24/7 news outlets and no real news to broadcast. Things were much better when the news came twice a day (i.e. the morning newspaper and 6 o'clock news.

Amen!

[vision63]

Seacrest, Whatever TMZ pays you remember I'll double it.

[pinkoos]

Wow, a thread this long and no request for a pic?

Let me oblige:

[pRICE cUBE]

Some Chinese website did a computer animation of his wife chasing after him with a club. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i5FlC1MpkE

[Dennis S]

You would think that the sponsors would have a "Scared Straight" presentation for their clients warning them of these situations instead of having them sign a small-print morals clause. Maybe they do.