Tiger Woods to take part in Obama inauguration

Tiger Woods to take part in Obama inauguration

Tiger Woods, who has tried to stay out of politics during his ascent to one of the world’s most famous athletes, has accepted an invitation to speak at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday as part of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration festivities.
Woods posted a short statement on his Web site to say he would speak at “We Are One,” a concert and celebration that will be broadcast live on HBO and feature entertainers such as Beyonce, U2, Stevie Wonder and Garth Brooks, along with appearances by Denzel Washington and Martin Luther King III.

“I am honored that I was invited to this historic event and look forward to participating in Sunday’s festivities,” Woods said.
Organizers of “We Are One” did not say what Woods would do at the Lincoln Memorial celebration.
Woods rarely gets involved in political discussions and festivities. He was criticized in 1997 after his watershed victory in the Masters when he turned down an invitation from former President Bill Clinton to travel to Shea Stadium in New York to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.

ajc.com
1/17/09