ShareThisAt an historic time when hope and change are the talk of America, allow me to join the national conversation.
I'm hoping that Tiger Woods' decision to speak during Barack Obama's pre-inauguration festivities Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, where he gave a two-minute speech in support of our military men and women, marks a change in his attitude about speaking out.
I'm hoping that Woods, at age 33, has reached a place in his life where he feels comfortable sharing his views on issues far more important than golf.
I'm hoping Woods, the world's most recognizable athlete and soon to become sports' first billion-dollar athlete, has finally realized the responsibility that comes with such fame, wealth and clout.
Remember what his father, Earl, told Sports Illustrated in 1996, after Woods, then 20, was named the magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" for the first time? "Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity," the elder Woods boldly predicted, adding, "because he's playing a sport that's international, because he's qualified through his ethnicity to accomplish miracles.
"He's the bridge between the East and the West. There is no limit, because he has the guidance. I don't know yet exactly what form this will take. But he is the chosen one. He'll have the power to impact nations. Not people. Nations. The world is just getting a taste of his power."
That prophecy has yet to come true as Woods has deftly -- some would say wisely -- veered away from sharing his views on politics and other controversial topics unrelated to golf.
Even some that did.
When Martha Burk showed up at Augusta National in 2003 to protest the absence of female members at the exclusive club, Woods refused to heed her call to boycott The Masters and successfully danced around the issue.
"It's the right thing to do," Woods said of opening the club's membership to women, but he shrugged off criticism from Burk and feminist groups who wanted him to take a stronger stand.
And that was the end of it.
Likewise, he refused to allow himself to be dragged into another trumped-up controversy last year, when Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman, during an on-air discussion of Woods' supremacy on the PGA Tour, jokingly said his challengers might need to "lynch him in a back alley."
Rather than join the ridiculous, politically correct outcry from overly sensitive do-gooders who justify their existence by pouncing whenever anyone misspeaks, Woods talked with Tilghman and accepted her apology, saying, "There was no ill intent."
In both instances, Woods chose to take the diplomatic route, the safe route, probably the smart route. Given his lucrative endorsement contracts, especially with Nike and Buick, it would've been foolish for him to take sides and risk unnecessarily offending potential customers.
And Woods is no fool.
He's sharp and sensible, thoughtful and witty, educated and well traveled. He possesses a wisdom well beyond his years.
Surely, he has opinions, too -- opinions on topics other than golf, opinions that might make a difference, opinions we need to hear.
Certainly, he has something more worthwhile to say than those empty-headed, Hollywood bozos that have deluded themselves into believing making movies makes them relevant outside the theater.
Woods can't be Jackie Robinson. He doesn't need to be Jim Brown. He won't be Muhammad Ali.
But he could be his generation's Arthur Ashe. And more.
John F. Kennedy, quoting the Gospel of Luke, said: "To whom much is given, much is required."
Woods gives plenty to charity and does some wonderful work through his foundation. But until recently, he backed away from taking hard stances on difficult issues beyond the golf course.
So, maybe, this is a start.
"I think it's absolutely incredible," Woods told CNBC after Obama was elected in November. "He represents America. He's multiracial. I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime, but he didn't get to see it. I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House."
Like Obama, sworn in as our 44th president Tuesday, Woods is multiracial, charismatic and appeals to people across social, economic and ideological lines.
Like Obama, Woods should seize the opportunity to use his influence to make the kind of impact his father, who died in May 2006, proudly predicted.
Obama believes this is his time.
Maybe this is Woods' time, too.
Maybe, because of his fame and his wealth and the confidence and conviction that comes with age, he's ready to change his attitude about speaking out.
Let's hope so.
(Ray McNulty is sports columnist for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal. Contact him at ray.mcnulty@scripps.com or on the Web at www.tcpalm.com.)
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