When the story of golf great Tiger Wood's peculiar car accident on Thanksgiving night broke on the morning of Black Friday, it was impossible to foretell what a flurry the following days would bring. Confusion and chaos ensued as a number of conflicting reports emerged. What could be gathered: Woods had, alone, hit a fire hydrant and a pole, he was all right, and his wife Elin, with a golf club, was somehow involved.

At first, Elin Woods was commended for what seemed to be a brave act in smashing in the window of his SUV to extract him from his crashed vehicle. Later, however, questions came as to whether Ms. Woods had smashed the windows before or after the crash, and whether Mr. Woods' bizarre accident was the result of carelessness, pain medication, or a failed attempt to escape a revealing confrontation.

Since then, more information has emerged, all seemingly pointing towards the sports legend's infidelity to his wife. And while at first vehement denials were made, even by Woods' mistress herself, a statement released by the golfer has at least hinted at an acknowledgement of what many of us feared to be true.

We're now weeks past the first breaking of this news, but the yet has hardly to settle. A number of women have emerged claiming to have carried on relationships with the sports star. And while it is probable that some of the women have invented stories in hopes of gaining their fifteen minutes of fame, the silence of Tiger and Elin Woods apparently indicates that at least some of what is being said is true.

What is interesting about this sad saga, however, is not so much the fact that it has taken place. Infidelity happens all the time in all sorts of relationships - it is definitely not something new. What is intriguing, however, is the way in which the media has become involved in the drama and the way that the public has reacted.

Tiger Woods is more than a sports star - he is a sports hero. Over the years, he has gained more fame, respect and admiration than few, if any, athletes have ever achieved. Noted not only for his talent, but also for his character and work ethic, Woods is a national hero. This is part of why we are so disappointed at seeing him fall. This is behavior we may expect more of other athletes we watch on our high definition televisions throughout the near - not from a humble African American golfer who has really made his American dream.

Though it is doubtful that Tiger Woods' career is even close to over or his reputation entirely ruined, this misstep has definitely affected his stature in the world of American sports. He does, however, have quite a bit of explaining to do and probably a bit of time to wait before this, like other sports scandals, slips out of our memories.