What is the aftermath of the Tiger Woods’s apology?  Will he ever recover?  Is the media and the public making too much of his fall from grace and his attempts to regain everything he has lost? 

Right now, it is too early to tell about the impact of today’s Woods controversy.  So far, the news stories and commentaries are a mixed bag.   Some media stories are suggesting that Woods is still in the eye of the tiger and with his apology speech, the famed golfer has simply further stepped upon his own tail. 

Other stories and editorials are praising Woods for taking the first step forward and being heart-felt with his apology.   

Here are a sample of media stories and commentaries: 

 “But attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing mistress Joslyn James, says her client deserves her own apology. Allred and James staged a news conference this morning after the golfer's speech.”Read story 

Tiger Woods' sponsors said they were pleased that the golfer issued a public apology for his infidelity on Friday and many said they were eager for him to return to the golf course.Read story

 Tiger Woods made a subdued but at times emotional return to public view Friday morning, apologizing profusely for his marital infidelity, chastising the media for intruding upon his family's personal life, acknowledging having undergone rehabilitation to address his behavior and vowing to return to professional golf, perhaps this year.Read story 

Tiger Woods' carefully-staged apology is more than an hour old, yet most of the cable news networks are still "debating" the pros and cons of his sincerity.Read story

The photo op performed by Woods looked convincing but there were red flags that Woods remains an arrogant jerk and really hasn't changed all that much. In fact, only a sucker or someone with a financial interest in Woods would buy into what he's selling Read story

Tiger Woods blamed the media, of course, during his somber, 15-minute address Friday morning. It was the first time Woods faced television cameras since he went into seclusion shortly after Thanksgiving.Read story

This wasn't the cold-blooded, steel-willed Tiger Woods who mercilessly stalked his prey on the golf course.

The Tiger who emerged this morning from three months of scandal, scrutiny and seclusion looked humbled and humiliated, repeatedly apologizing for his "irresponsible and selfish behavior." Read story

So, as the public and the media debates the impact of Tiger’s apology, there are some who are asking why is this story so important?  In the overall scheme of things, I believe it is not. 

But, as this tale does unfold there are certain public and personal lessons many of us can learn.

In fact, there are some real stories in this Tiger Woods ordeal beyond the sensationalism of sex and money.  Woods will not be the last person to fall from grace.  He might be the wealthiest.  How the media shapes the apology and how the audience accepts it will definitely impact the manner in which individuals, businesses and even government officials deal with public scandals in the future.

Even more importantly, Tiger Woods has been known for his ability to rebound from potential danger.   The fact that he apologized and started to confront reality in public is a step forward.  The public will debate whether he was sincere or if his apology was overly staged.  How that debate goes will certainly affect his future image rehab.  

Certainly it is true that Tiger Woods has the money to consult with the best experts in the world to help pull himself from the deep sand traps--both personally and professionally.  Yes, Tiger Woods might once again find fame and fortune, yet again.  However, perhaps the real story line here transcends the glamour, and the tawdry.  After all, one of the greatest athletes in history will need much more than money, professional help and forgiveness from his family, friends and even his fans.  From what I saw of his apology, he is on the long course and struggle to find inner peace.  How he ultimately gets there will likely be the most important story about Tiger Woods being told.   And, what we learn from him as he attempts to make a public and personal comeback, might be the ultimate Tiger Woods lesson we will ever learn.