The land of Amway and Disney is not accustomed to scandal in their backyard. Orlando is a town that is built on image. You see that when you go to Disney World. It’s all about Mickey, Minnie and the wholesome family image. Amway is no different. The multi-billion dollar corporation built on a foundation of multi-level marketing and a whole host of products from A to Z is based on the “American Way”, hence its name. I am assuming the “American Way” represents hard work, commitment to family, commitment to God, and honor to America. If this were 1955, no one would question the “American Way”. This is 2009. The “American Way” looks a lot different. It looks like Nike to a great extent. A company built on image, marketing, global outreach, sweat shops, and high end sneakers. There was once a campaign built around Charles Barkley and the notion that he was not a role model. We figured that out. Nike is different, but it is still America. Its headquarters is on the other coast, affectionately called the left coast, which coincidentally aligns with its politics. But, on the east coast where a lot of the power of the country exists, if you consider Washington D.C. and New York, a major player in the Nike family makes residence. His name is Tiger Woods and he is arguably the most recognizable person Nike has representing its brand this side of Michael Jordan.
Is there some strange connection between Nike, high profile celebrity and adultery that I have missed?
I’m just asking the question.
The details, as I mentioned previously, have started to leak out. If I am Tiger Woods, this slow drip, which is my image leaking slowly into oblivion, has got to be disturbing on all fronts.
Apparently, reports have begun to surface linking Mr. Woods with a New York Club promoter who by all accounts I have heard, would make many men think twice about their marriage vows just looking at her body. I don’t know. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The last time I checked, Tiger’s wife was not exactly chopped liver. Nevertheless, it appears that the roving eye may have gotten the best of Mr. Woods. We don’t know yet. Tiger is not really offering any type of detailed explanation and the alleged other woman has denied any relationship. She did seek legal counsel in the form of noted feminist advocate, Gloria Allred, but no one has ever been convicted of seeking counsel. This situation is starting to look real funky, as they would say back in the day.
Where there is fire, there is usually smoke. This situation appears to be no exception.
When we flash back and recall the situation Kobe Bryant found himself, where he admitted to adultery but had to fight the allegations and charges of rape, we must also recognize that Kobe survived even if his image took a slight beating. Time does have a way of making people forget. Kobe bought the apology ring, built a strong legal team, stuck to playing basketball, and obviously catering to his wife. Now, we don’t hear much about Kobe except to talk about winning another championship without Shaq. He survived the fallout, even after admitting guilt. Can we expect the same to happen with Tiger Woods? Again, time will tell. We still don’t know what has really happened, but all of the scuttle can not be good for the Nike family and its golf icon. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I might be looking up Kobe’s jeweler if I were Mr. Woods. Time will tell.
Either Tiger can ask Kobe for a spare four million or I can. We both could use it these days.
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“It is calming to know that when the final trumpet sounds,
My life will not have ended in vain.
I will run out of time before I run out of words. God has given me the gift of my thoughts.
He has given me the gift of the pen.
I need to use them both to show His will does win….” 1
(1) Excerpt from the poem “ The Things That Matter” –
Included in Voices Inside My Head – Poetry Inspired By God To Heal Pain
Copyright © 2009 Milton A. Brown
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