NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 02: Tiger Woods of the United States hits his shot on the second tee during round two of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 2, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas.
Tiger Woods appeared to defend President Donald Trump in recent comments, and not all sportscasters were pleased with the golf star’s remarks.
On Sunday, 42-year-old Woods was asked following the conclusion of The Northern Trust about what he thinks of Trump — with whom he has played golf on multiple occasions — and Woods said he believes the president’s office should be respected regardless of who holds it.
“He’s the president of the United States. You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office,” said Woods.
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On Monday, ESPN’s Max Kellerman replied to Woods’s comment on First Take by slamming the 14-time major championship winner. Kellerman called Woods’ remark a “thoughtless statement dressed up as a thoughtful statement,” adding that it was demeaning because it seemed to have treated intelligent people as stupid.
“It either holds in contempt the intelligence of people who hear it or else it’s just a stupid thing to say. … To say you must have respect for the office — Tiger, be clear. Are you saying that the office, therefore, confers respect onto its present temporary occupant? No. Having respect for the office means principally, in my view, is the office holder should have respect for the office,” Kellerman stated.
Kellerman continued by saying the President of the United States “should be held to a higher standard of behavior,” and added he believed Woods was simply “being slick.”
“We must respect the office therefore that confers respect to the occupant,” Kellerman added. “Tiger, is that is what you are saying? If that is what you are saying, that is a stupid comment.”
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According to Fox News, Woods was also asked about his opinion on race relations in the U.S., although he refused to answer such questions.
ESPN anchors have exchanged commentary on socio-political issues as they relate to sports many times previously. The network was even criticized last year for devoting too much time to discuss Colin Kaepernick‘s national anthem protests, which sparked an NFL-wide series of similar demonstrations.
Woods and Phil Mickelson are set to face off in a one-on-one, $10 million match scheduled for this Thanksgiving.
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