Tiger Woods’ Former Caddie Apologizes for Using Racial Slur to Describe Him
- Posted on November 5, 2011 at 11:56am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
Steve Williams apologized after making a racial remark to disparage Tiger Woods at an event Friday. (AP)
SHANGHAI (AP) — Tiger Woods’ former caddie caused another sensation, this time by using a racial slur to disparage his old boss during a caddies award roast in Shanghai.
Steve Williams received a mock award Friday night for “Celebration of the Year” for his TV interview after Adam Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational.
That was the day Williams said it was “the best win of his life,” despite being on the bag with Woods for 13 majors.
At an awards party filled with banter, Williams said of his interview, “It was my aim to shove it right up that black a——.”
That line drew the biggest reaction at a party attended by several players, caddies, officials and some media. There was a mixture of laughter and shock, with some players turning to each other with eyes widened and jaws agape.
The provision of the party is that all comments are off the record, yet several caddies couldn’t stop talking about it long after it was over.
Approached early the next morning at breakfast, Williams was stunned to learn that British tabloids had gone with the story.
“Why would they do that?” he said. “The whole thing was meant to be fun.”
Hours later, Williams posted a comment on his website.
“I apologize for comments I made last night at the Annual Caddy Awards dinner in Shanghai,” it said. “Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year, and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist. However, I assure you that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to Tiger and anyone else I’ve offended.”
Woods was in Australia, though it didn’t take long for the comments to get back to him.
“I was with Tiger last night when he heard the news,” Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports Management, told The Associated Press. “We got multiple calls from people who sounded like they were leaving the caddie party. Tiger obviously wasn’t there. He doesn’t know exactly what was said. But if multiple reports – which all seem to be accurate – are true, then it‘s sad it’s come down to this.”
“It’s a regrettable comment, and there’s really nothing that Tiger can do or say. He’s just going to move on.”
Scott said he was satisfied with Williams’ apology and that his comments were not reported in the right spirit of the evening. When asked if Williams should be fired, Scott said, “I disagree with that.”
“Everything in that room last night was all in good spirits and a bit of fun, probably taken out of that room in the wrong context,” Scott said after a 69 kept him within three shots of the lead at the HSBC Champions.
“Look, anything with Tiger involved is a story. I value Steve’s contributions to my game and having him on the bag.”
Scott also said it was foolish to suggest Williams was racist.
“We all know that’s not the case,” he said.
It’s not the first time Williams has gotten into trouble for his words.
Three years ago at a dinner banquet in New Zealand, he made a disparaging remark about Phil Mickelson. Williams said that was meant in fun, though Woods had him apologize to Mickelson.
The comments in Shanghai took on an even more sensitive nature among the British press because of soccer player John Terry‘s alleged racial comments toward Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in a Premier League loss last month.
Even though Williams said his comments were meant in fun to match the spirit of the evening, there was no disguising the animosity Williams feels over getting fired this summer.
What made Williams’ reaction at Firestone so pointed is that it was the first time Woods and Scott were in the same tournament since Williams had been fired – and it was Scott’s first win of the year.
Williams has disputed Woods’ version of how their partnership ended, and he said at Firestone that he was short-shrifted by Woods despite his loyalty to the former No. 1 player during the sex scandal that derailed his career.
These comments also put Scott in the middle of another mess, and it doesn’t figure to go away soon.
Woods and Scott are to be in the same group next week at the Australian Open, and there’s a chance they also could face off at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne the week after.
Scott said he was simply in the middle of two people who apparently don’t like each other.
“Shall I gave Steve a rough over the knuckles? He issued a statement. I think that’s the right thing to do,” Scott said. “What more should he say? What more can I say? He’s apologized, and he’s done the right thing.”
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 588 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 375 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (64)
COFemale
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 5:14pmWhat Tiger does not have a black Ass?
Oh, yeah that is right he is part Japanese too. So I guess it should have been his Japanese Ass?
This is so getting blown out of proportion, I am laughing as I type this.
Report Post »GodsDotr
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:44pmI thought it was worse to be called the other word.
Report Post »kenr1963
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 5:23pmAll labels used will be racist I think we should just call them….Uhh!!Never mind
Report Post »meamerican
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 9:03pmSince when is black a ricist word? If I am called white is that racist?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 1:44pmIn either case, you know Tiger is…
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:19pmBlacks need to quit being so hypersensitive about everything. Furthermore, blacks need to live by how they want to be treated as well. So if you don’t want people calling you the “n word” then stop using yourselves in everyday talk. If you don’t want to be called “you people” then you need to stop doing it to whites. If you want to stop being called “boy” then stop calling white men white boy(s). The black community has a real double standard. If a black caddy would have said a line like this guy, all those white libs would have been laughing and applauding him rather than sitting with their jaws dropped in shock. But the first thing blacks need to do is stop being hypersensitive, stop wanting to be treated like a child and maybe everyone can move forward.
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 6:06pmI don’t see anything about anyone being offended. Tiger never made a comment about it. Maybe Williams could thank Tiger for making him the richest caddie ever instead of acting like a spoilt child every time a microphone is put in front of him.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 6:30pmTiger Woods will not say one word about it. It is a well know fact on tour that Tigger enjoys black jokes as much as the next guy. Jokes and comments about someones race or ethnicity do not always make one a racist. Oops did I add an extra G, get over it! BTW, is it true that white men still can’t jump?
Report Post »seldomscene
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 1:32pmRemember…..Tiger is 1/4 Black. Kind of like Obummer. Black is used for convenience. Bill Clinton was the first black president. Just saying.
Report Post »IMaTELLaU
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:08pmWTF? Racial slur? Does he not have a blk arse? Is it another color? If anything he should be saying sorry for SEXUAL HARASSMENT!
Report Post »Wickedmainah
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:04pmsince when is calling a black man black a racist slur. Stupid article about nothing, Blaze sure is carrying the most important issues…might as well read TMZ
Report Post »seldomscene
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 1:34pmYes, but here you can get popups!
Report Post »44th Streaming Widget?
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 3:26pmScottish Caddy:
During his vacation at Martha’s Vineyard – President Obama had been slicing off the tee on every hole. He asks his Scottish caddy if he has noticed any obvious reasons for his poor tee shots, to which the caddy replies: “Aye, there’s a piece of shyt on the end of yer driver.”
The President picks up his driver and cleans the club face, at which point the caddy says:
“No, the other end.”
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 7:30pmThat’s a keeper. Funny.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 3:25pmApproached early the next morning at breakfast, Williams was stunned to learn that British tabloids had gone with the story.
Why would you ever think that? Its only when someone other than a Leftist/Marxist makes an off-color remark.
Report Post »nohussein
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:57pmMore PC BS, Woods is trash.
Report Post »kkehoe
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 7:44pmdon’t ya know. Surprise surprise
Report Post »notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:19pmTiger treats people like excrement and people say, “it’s just Tiger.” Anyone else pushes back and they are ungrateful or racist.
Tiger deserves everything coming his way.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:04pmWell this is about the silliest thing yet. He should not
Report Post »have apolligized. That was not a racial slur.
ZengaPA65
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:51pmA rose by any other name.
Report Post »Redd
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:03pmFuzzy Zoeller was crucified for talkin’ chicken.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:30pmTiger is on his way out. Who cares ?
Report Post »knighttemplar999
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:26pmRead more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/tiger_beat/woods_even_slept_with_his_neighbor_BLTQCz7Yr4N9ODHVnjdcSM#ixzz1cqkgjI4q
Report Post »felix
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:22pmi think a—— is the perfect description of him !
Report Post »floridacockleburr
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:11pmThis is a tough one. Cant stand the white ******* or the black *******. Steve Williams carries a bag and acts like a thug for a living – what do you expect? By the way, where is the racism in his statement?
Report Post »ScottIvlow
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:08pmHas any main stream reporter ever seen a roast dinner on Comedy Central? The comments made in these type of setttings are suppose to be provocative and funny at the same time. They do use harsh language. It’s also no different than what to blacks would say to each other talking smack to each other. What if Williams had just said “ass” would this still have been a national story just because he used an adjective?
Report Post »ConstitutionWatch01
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 8:49pmThis wasn’t a roast. It was at a dinner that Tiger wasn’t even present at. It should have never been said but as usual everyone just attacks Tiger but if was anyone else then people would care.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:58pmI would like to hear and record all the private conversations from the so-called journalists in the MSM. Could they stand the scrutiny that they hold everyone else to.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:54pm“Sorry. I should have said ‘Cablinasian @–hole’.”
Report Post »Much ado about nothing here, folks.
Tiger Woods is a mish-mash of races. Enlighten me: Which one did the caddy offend the most.
This is a spat between two men and one fellow used, in what my opinion, is a valid descriptor in his little fantasy revelation.
I have black friends who get p!ssy if you call them African-Americans. They will laugh at this nonsense.
This is a sports writer attempting to be relevant by engaging in politically correct high dudgeon… and much of the bobble head population will play along.
What kind of @–hole are we allowed to label Woods?
Yawn….
Highland
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 7:50pmTiggy is the one who loves to tell jokes about the length of black men’s sexual organs (something about tripping over them or some such juvenile nonsense), so I cannot imagine being offended when someone accurately describes the hue of his anal orifice.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:37pmEveryone is forgetting that this Caddy probably knows more about Tiger than most! He was hired by Tiger, spent much time with Tiger, I’d say they were friends, although the Caddy didn’t approve of some things Tiger did in his private life!
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:33pmEveryone is getting so touchy, I‘ll bet you couldn’t even tell a Leroy joke anymore without criticism! Like Cain said, “America can’t take a joke anymore”, I guess white a## would have gone unnoticed!
Report Post »kkehoe
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 7:52pmYeah, not a friggin word. Wake up you “crackers”. We don’t owe anybody anything or even have to apologize for **** that happened 200 yrs ago. Treat me, talk to me or look at me like you would want and I will do the same, otherwise I could care less if your black, white, yellow, brown, purple or friggin green…get out of my face.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:20pmThat’s not a racial slur. If he said “African American ass” would that be okay?
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:32pmIf he said he was going to put it up his _hink ass, then maybe.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:02pmI mean his ass is probably kinda dark, but Tiger isn’t black. He is a mix. Should ne have said I am going to shove this up his multi culturally colored a@@? What difference does it make commenting on his skin tone anyway?
Kinda like Obama, I dont hate him for the color of his skin. I just hate him because he is destroying the Country! he could be blue and i would still hate him.
Report Post »shammo
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:18pmWhats that old adage “If you can’t say something nice keep your mouth shut”
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:35pmWhen you are an employer, you have an obligation to your people. Tiger not only ruined his life, he cause many employees suffer right along with him. What this man said was nothing but a reaction to that suffering. Screw tiger.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:16pm“Black a____”
Is that what passes for a “racial slur” these days?
Watch BET, HBO, MSNBC, even the CBC and you’ll see far worse things said about white people on a regular basis. I don’t hear any apologies from those def comedy pukes.
Report Post »kkehoe
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 7:52pmIt‘s sickening is’nt it. White people are whimps.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:07pmToo much. That’s not a racial slur. It’s an invented racial slur; invented for the purpose of suppressing free speech and promulgating racist policies. Victimhood is designed to divide and conquer a society. It is the tool of the minorities used to oppress and control the majority. It’s an old divisive ploy.
Report Post »I SPY
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:14pmYou’re correct. Is his *** not black?
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:01pmIt was a roast! It is intended to be irreverent. The only screw up was issuing an apology. Political correctness is going to destroy us all. In communist or fascist countries you must be “politically correct” or they haul you off to the camps or just shoot you.
I am politically incorrect and proud of it!
Report Post »umreb78
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:18pmMy feelings exactly 82nd…Facts are facts (ummm…Tiger is part black). The Truth Has No Agenda…
Report Post »