Jim Brown has said this before, but for some reason, he felt the need to repeat his opinion that Tiger Woods isn't as socially active as he should be.

While Brown certainly has every right to express his opinions on anyone and everyone, I believe it's a bit unfair to criticize Tiger Woods, who happens to be one of the few athletes who does everything right.

While it's obvious that Brown is singling out Tiger as an African-American athlete in a sport almost entirely made up of white men, to say that Tiger Woods isn't "socially active" is a slap in the face to his entire career, and his life as a whole.

Why Tiger? In an era that has featured athletes of every color and in every sport getting arrested and disgracing their sport and their heritage, why is Jim Brown singling out one of the few athletes on the planet who says and does all the right things to make him the ideal role model for people of all ethnic origins?

While guys like Adam "Pacman" Jones, Matt Jones, Donte Stallworth, Michael Vick and the entire Cincinnati Bengals team besmirch the good name of the NFL with their illegal activities, Tiger Woods is golfing.

While Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, and literally over 100 others tarnish baseball for an entire era, Tiger Woods is golfing.

While NBA stars Derrick Rose and Paul Pierce flash gang signs, Kobe Bryant gets accused of rape, Charles Barkley gets charged with a DUI while on his way to meet a prostitute, Tiger Woods is golfing.

Even other golfers (ahem, John Daly) have made a name for themselves in a negative way... yet Tiger Woods... he's just golfing.

Is it so wrong for a man to quietly go about his business as possibly the best golfer ever to walk the face of the planet? If Tiger Woods wants to speak out on social issues, then he is more than welcome to, as that is his right. However, if he chooses not to, then who is Jim Brown to say that he's wrong?

The one thing that Jim Brown fails to realize is that Tiger Woods, even without speaking out publically on social issues, is making a profound impact on society. He embodies the phrase "lead by example". If you had to pick one athlete for your child to emulate, there is no doubt that Tiger Woods would be at (or at least near) the top of the list.

Instead of coming after one of the good guys, Mr. Brown, perhaps you should address the dozens of other athletes who are doing everything they can possibly do to give you, your former league, and athletes in general a bad name. Just a thought, Jim.


Jim Brown Rips Tiger Woods for Failure to Speak Out on Social Issues [Fanhouse]