At 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2009, an SUV collided into a hedge, a fire hydrant, and finally a car. The driver, renowned golfer Tiger Woods, survived minor injuries and was cited for careless driving. Sounds like he got off easy? No, the worst was yet to come.

What started out as a minor car accident evolved into one of the most controversial stories in the sports world. In the ensuing months, Woods was accused of having an affair with at least a dozen women including nightclub manager Rachel Uchitel and cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs. Woods’s squeaky clean image was tainted as he issued apologies concerning these affairs, saying that he “had let his family down.” The scandal led to the suspension of endorsement deals and billions of dollars going down the drain.

Growing up, I had idolized Woods; I became interested in the game of golf because of him. Every time he swung his club or pumped his fist victoriously in the air, I was inspired to become a golfer just like him. But now after his outrageous incident, my view of Woods has been distorted. I do not despise him, but now I do not see him as the same invincible and flawless golf celebrity who would dominate the green every single time he swung and putted. What Woods did was morally wrong and he deserves full blame for his actions. He was unfaithful to his wife and children and by being so, he has set a terrible example for all his fans. His celebrity status does not justify his actions either; like any average Joe, Woods makes mistakes and it took a costly one to make him realize that he is not perfect.

Unfortunately, many of Woods’s fans are not as forgiving as I am. Like many celebrities before him, Woods had been put on an unrealistic pedestal by his fans, so when he screwed up, they condemned him like a criminal. However, we all live in glass houses. Adultery, or just the very temptation of it, is part of human nature; nearly everyone at some point in his or her marriage will have thoughts about it. And many people do choose to actually cheat on their spouses. Woods was one of these fools, yet he has been ostracized by society for a common sin just because he is famous icon whom everyone expects to be perfect. We all should seriously cut him some slack and allow him to realize and rectify his mistakes.

Some fans are concerned that this publicity surrounding Woods’s incident will have a negative impact on professional golf. However, I think that, if anything, the scandal will bring a spotlight to the often neglected sport. Notice that Woods’s unannounced comeback is currently one of the hottest sports stories. And when he comes back, I believe Woods will be mentally stronger than ever. With his personal life in shambles, he will need to focus more on his passion for golf by unleashing his true potential. Like Kobe Bryant, who had personal problems of his own six years ago, Woods will be a much more formidable player and in a span of a few years, I predict his popularity will have a resurgence.