“It’s Not Just a White Guy’s Sport”: Months After His Trouble with the Law, Tiger Woods Got His Flowers from Michael Jordan

Six-time NBA Champion Michael Jordan knows a thing or two about golf. Through the years, he has played the sport regularly and even has a private course. The Hall of Famer’s interest in golf peaked when he realized the competitiveness the sport holds. For him, the sport revolves around “battling yourself consistently to try to get perfection”. With this motivation, not only does he play golf, but has also followed the sport with a keen sense of interest. His love for golf once compelled him to extend a hand of friendship to golfing legend Tiger Woods.

In an interview with Cigar Aficionado, Michael Jordan once showered him with heaps of praise. The interview was shot five years ago. 2017, in particular, was a challenging year for Woods. 

Michael Jordan on the impact of Tiger Woods on golf

Michael Jordan emphasized the impact of Tiger Woods on the sport of golf. He stated that Woods helped evolve the game. For the longest time, golf was considered to be the sport for white people. However, Woods broke those stereotypes. The six-time Finals MVP said, “Tiger evolved it to where it was you know it crossed a lot of different boundaries where it’s not just a white guy’s sport.”

“It generated so much interest financially that it grew the game from a financial standpoint,” he added.

Jordan spoke about how Woods changed the game from an interest and financial standpoint. For starters, Woods turned pro at the age of 20. This was unheard of back in the day. Golfers took longer to launch themselves into the sport.

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This inspired many young golfers like Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler to leave college and participate in tours around the world. Additionally, Woods stressed the aspect of fitness. Golfers around the world were now seen spending time in the gym and training like athletes. Furthermore, Woods’ impact was seen when viewership and money involved in the sport increased exponentially. Incidentally, MJ had a similar impact on the sport of basketball.

2017 was a tough year for the golfing legend

In March 2017, Tiger Woods underwent back surgery to aid his lingering back pain. Two months after his surgery, the golfing legend found himself in trouble with the law. Reports emerged claiming that Woods had fallen asleep behind the wheel while driving, following which he was made to take several tests to check his levels of sobriety.

He failed each of the tests but components of alcohol weren’t found. In a statement to the public, Woods wrote, “I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.” However, many were critical of Woods’s actions.

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Do you agree with Michael Jordan’s comments about Tiger Woods? Let us know in the comments below.