As news spread that Tiger Woods was seriously injured in a crash on Tuesday in California, fans, fellow athletes, celebrities and politicians offered tributes and prayers for the golf superstar.
The former New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez said he was “praying for my brother” and “thinking of him and his entire family.”
Stephen Curry, a three-time N.B.A. champion, also said he was praying for Woods and his family. Lindsey Vonn, the Olympic gold medalist skier who had dated Woods, shared a similar message for the athlete. And the basketball legend Magic Johnson and the entertainer Cher asked that people pray for Woods.
Michael Phelps, the Olympic gold medalist swimmer, and Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, offered their sentiments as well.
“Fight @tigerwoods like the champion you are for your kids and the world,” Tyson said on Twitter.
The actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who called Woods the GOAT (greatest of all time), said she had been with him on Monday.
“Don’t take not even a MOMENT for granted!” she said on Twitter. “I know you’re good because your Tiger within is a beast!!!”
Fellow golfers recalled Woods’s strength and resilience.
“We know how tough you are, we’ve seen it a hundred times,” the golfer Justin Rose said on Twitter.
On ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” Justin Thomas, another professional golfer, said he was “sick to his stomach” after hearing about the crash of one of his closest friends. “Man, I just hope he’s all right,” he added.
Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 major titles, said that he and his wife, Barbara, were “deeply concerned” about Woods and wished him a successful surgery and full recovery. Woods is second on the career list with 15 major victories.
Jason Miller, an adviser to former President Donald J. Trump, released a statement from Trump in response to the crash, which called Woods a “true champion” and urged him to “get well soon.” In 2019, Trump awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Source : NYtimes
