👀 The Series Of Emotions Following Tiger’s Crash

How do we process all the emotions following the news of Tiger Woods’ crash? [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider: From relief to concern to hope, there are plenty of emotions surrounding the news of Tiger Woods being seriously injured in a car accident on Tuesday morning ... we take a look at how social media influencers are taking over the fight world ... and we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sabrina Ionescu becoming the first player in D-I history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds. On Tuesday morning, [Tiger Woods survived a serious car accident]( that could, but for a slice of fortune, have been fatal. Such news bring a lot of emotions. How do we begin to process them all? Relief is a good starting point, and perhaps the most human emotion to bring. Whether you spent all day pinned to the television coverage and devoured every fresh snippet of information, or not, the most important thing to come from this is that a man - a father - is still alive. Woods is the most famous golfer in the world and a figure who utterly transformed the game, but these days that status has become one of his least important jobs. The sports world loved seeing him win the Masters on that extraordinary weekend in 2019, but successful fatherhood has become his primary focus, with an appearance alongside 12-year-old Charlie at the PNC Championship as a dad-son tandem providing an endearing highlight at the end of 2020. Those legendary peak years that resulted in 82 PGA Tour titles and 15 Majors, all the millions and all the rest of it, that’s in the books. Part of history, already enshrined, never to be changed. All of the “next” - his children’s teenage years, the family events and occasions, that is still to come. On Tuesday, it was almost taken away. [STORY IMAGE 1] “It was very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Gonzalez said. “He is currently awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room,” [read a statement released by Woods’ team]( after the 45-year-old was operated on at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Relief extends to the fact that we are talking about this - a hospital stay, albeit with severe injuries including open fractures to the bones in his right leg and a rod inserted into his tibia. And not talking about how to grieve, for the second time in 13 months, an iconic athlete being lost in a terrible Los Angeles-area accident. I’ve written this before but it is worth repeating - no life is more important or deserving than another. Yet the way our society is structured means certain figures have a tug on our nostalgia that can’t be ignored. For millions, Kobe Bryant was part of the backdrop of their youth. So too, through roughly the same time period, was Tiger Woods. This story, thank goodness, is an appreciation, not an obituary. [STORY IMAGE 2] “I have very significant benchmarks in my life that I associate with Tiger,” [FS1’s Nick Wright said on First Things First](. “I am so sad because I don’t want to say it is a definite, but we probably never see him golf (again). This final chapter seems to have been cut short.” What else to feel? Concern, definitely – because how can you not? Woods’ life has been far from perfect, especially since his [much-publicized personal issues]( to light in 2009 and precipitated the end of his prime. In 2017, [he was arrested by Florida police for driving under the influence]( with the ensuing toxicology report stating he had five drugs in his system, mostly prescribed to help him combat post-surgical back pain. Regarding this week’s incident in Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there was “no evidence of impairment at this point in time.” “It’s reasonable to worry about what caused the accident,” [Sports Illustrated Michael Rosenberg wrote](. “We don’t know and it’s OK to worry. We know that Woods has battled prescription-drug addiction … If he were your friend, you would worry. It is rational and not malicious. But we don’t know and sure as hell should not assume.” [STORY IMAGE 3] How much curiosity about what follows for Woods is reasonable? When we love athletes we are fascinated by them and always want to know more. Woods emerged as a transcendent sportsman even before he broke into the professional ranks and a smothering level of attention came with that. It is natural to be curious, but the greatest of athletes bring out a sense of selfishness in us. We want a piece of them, we want to know about them and most of all, we want to see them play because when they do, it is like watching superhuman poetry. That’s what Woods was at his peak -- something beautiful but also head-scratching because hitting those shots, with that level of efficiency, should have been impossible. For everyone else, it was. As a black athlete in what was an overwhelmingly white sport, he has blazed an unmistakable trail and for a long time it seemed his chase of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors was a formality. [STORY IMAGE 4] Then it wasn’t, as all the ailments and surgeries piled up, and the agony they caused debilitated him. Woods’ competitive career was rapidly nearing its close even before his vehicle crashed through a median, across two opposing lanes and rolled part way up an embankment. He hadn’t managed a top 35 finish in more than a year. In a television interview on Sunday he spoke with reservation about his prospects for coming back to action. “I’ve got to get there first,” he said, when pressed on CBS about his likelihood of showing up at The Masters. The final thing to feel towards Woods is hope. Hope that he finds a manageable recovery from the injuries incurred. Hope that the future is mobile and healthy, whether it involves much golf or not. It’s a bit overwhelming to think about how this could have ended differently, and tragically, but when a law enforcement official says someone is lucky to be alive, it is hard not to confront that possibility. It’s difficult to know how to end this story, except to be grateful that the tale of Tiger Woods - is an ongoing one. [STORY IMAGE 5] Here’s what others have said ... Phil Mickelson, Professional Golfer: “We are all pulling for you, Tiger. We are so sorry that you and your family are going through this tough time. Everyone hopes and prays for your full and speedy recovery.” Brandon Marshall, First Things First: “It took me back to this time last year with Kobe. I’m just so happy we’re not mourning Tiger right now. We don’t know if he’ll ever be able to play golf again, but I’m just thankful that Tiger is here. He is one of the greatest athletes to ever grace this planet, and if his playing career is over, we can still celebrate him.” Justin Thomas, Professional Golfer: “It hurts to see one of your closest friends get in an accident and I just hope he’s alright. I’m worried for his kids. I’m sure they are struggling.” [IN OTHER WORDS] - Having a veteran quarterback in place could be crucial for the New England Patriots if they hope to lure pass-catchers in free agency. [ESPN staff writer Mike Reiss]( explains why the Patriots must move soon at QB. - It is no secret that influencers are taking over the fight world. What these social media stars lack in experience and skill they make up for in rapid fan bases eager to dish out money to see their heroes fight. [Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim]( introduces us to the next wave of stream warriors. - Unless Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley is added as an injury replacement, the 14-year veteran will miss out yet again in being named an NBA All-Star. If he never makes it, would Conley be considered the biggest All-Star snub in NBA history? [The Ringer’s Zach Kram]( takes a look at the best NBA players to never make an All-Star Game. [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED] [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED]( We love to celebrate memorable anniversaries in this section of the newsletter, which is why today’s choice for “Internet Is Undefeated” was a no-brainer. On this day, exactly one year ago, former Oregon women’s basketball standout Sabrina Ionescu became the first player in D-I history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds. The best part? She did it on 2/24, and dedicated her memorable accomplishment to the late Kobe Bryant, who she shared a special friendship with and credited for pushing her, and for being in her life through her victories and defeats. “That one was for him,” Ionescu said, in reference to Bryant. “He’s looking down on me and really proud of me.” [VIEWER'S GUIDE] WWE NXT (USA, 8 p.m. ET) Santos Escobar must face Karrion Kross in a No Disqualification Match and Adam Cole explains his shocking actions. Alabama at Arkansas (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET) John Petty Jr. leads the No. 6-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide against freshman phenom Moses Moody and the No. 20-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. Xavier at Providence (FS1, 9 p.m. ET) Zach Freemantle and the Xavier Musketeers take on David Duke and the Providence Friars. Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET) LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers battle Donovan Mitchell and the first-place Utah Jazz in a Western Conference clash. [BET OF THE DAY] [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Alabama at Arkansas: Alabama+2 College basketball fans haven’t been treated to many “must-see” SEC matchups this season, but this Top 25 tilt between No. 6 Alabama and No. 20 Arkansas is just that. Alabama has been great this season, sitting at 13-1 in conference play and fighting for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas has also been really good, winning seven of its last eight games, including three recent wins over Kentucky, Missouri and Florida. As good as both of these teams have been as of late, it’s hard not to look back to their first matchup this season, which resulted in a dominant 90-59 victory for the Crimson Tide. As good as freshman phenom Mosses Moody has been for the Razorbacks this season, the smart bet is to take the Crimson Tide at +2 in this game. [WHAT THEY SAID] “Winning takes care of everything.” — Tiger Woods [FOLLOW FOX SPORTS] [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Download FOX Sports App: [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [Google Play]( [App Store]( [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [App Store]( [Google Play]( Also available on these devices: [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV] [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV] Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2021 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please [unsubscribe](. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click [here]( to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, California 90213-0900