Over the past two weeks, the mania surrounding the Tiger Woods has risen to a fever pitch. This is hardly surprising considering his level of fame and media exposure, but it calls into question what, if anything, he must do to regain his once-high level of respect from the public.
A new poll suggests that it will take a lot. Rasmussen Reports, a well-respected polling organization, released a report yesterday that says only 38% of the American people view him favorably. That's down from 56% a week ago, and 83% two years ago.
It seems like a fairly steep hill to climb. Woods would have to find a way to erase public memory - or at least provide a bit of distraction from - his recent foibles involving multiple women who are not his wife (Deadspin has the count at 11). However, it just might be possible.
Ray Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro linebacker and Hall of Fame shoe-in, has managed to rehabilitate his image fairly successfully after his January, 2000 run-in with the law. You think Tiger's sleeping around was bad? Try getting indicted for murder.
Lewis managed to pull off an almost complete rehabilitation fo his image, but it did take some time. Despite being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP in 2001, he did not get any endorsements - or even the customary trip to Disney World - that usually go along with the honor.
After many years and lots of careful public relations work (including several significant community service initiatives), Lewis can be seen in advertisements for SoBe, Under Armour and several Baltimore-area businesses, as well as on the cover of Madden NFL 2005.
But Lewis faced his scandal head-on. He accepted his reality by pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and paying a then-record $250,000 fine from the NFL. Woods has chosen to keep quiet - with the exception fo a few opaque public statemetns released on his website - and let the media and his alleged mistresses do the talking.
Can his reputation be rehabilitated? Only time will tell. But don't expect it to happen overnight. It never does.
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