Tiger Woods Speaks: "I Am Deeply Sorry for My Irresponsible and Selfish Behavior"

Tiger Woods made a remorseful apology in his first public appearance since the post-Thanksgiving car accident set off a tabloid scandal that sent his personal life and career into a tailspin.

The world's No. 1 golfer read a 13-minute prepared statement in front of roughly 40 people including his mother at the Professional Golfers Association headquarters at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

"I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior," Woods said in a humbling statement where he admitted to being unfaithful. "I owe it to my family to become a better person."

One noticeable absentee at the appearance was his wife Elin. Woods insisted that the media respect the privacy of his family and that the scandal was his fault alone, as he reprimanded the press for constantly following his wife and children, and for insinuating that Elin assaulted him on the night he crashed his Cadillac Escalade outside of his Orlando home.

"There is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Ever."

Woods added that this appearance was a part of his recovery and he would like to ask for support as he makes his way through therapy. He has completed 45 days in sex rehabilitation and said that he would leave Saturday to continue his treatment.

Woods did say that he will return to the PGA Tour one day but did not give a timetable for his next appearance on the course. He did not rule out coming back this year, but did not guarantee he would be back in 2010.

"When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. I want to thank the PGA Tour, Commissioner (Tim) Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course."

Woods has been able to maintain some of his most lucrative sponsorships throughout the ordeal. Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) have stood by the golfer and will continue to support him and relay his image through their products.

"Nike fully supports Tiger and his family through this difficult time," said a company spokeswoman. "We respect his privacy. We look forward to him returning to golf."

Woods, who was dress in Nike Swoosh free attire at the appearance, is integrated so heavily into the golf divisions of both Nike and EA that removing him from the companies would likely have severe results.

Accenture PLC (NYSE: ACN) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) have severed ties with the embattled athlete, while other like Proctor & Gamble Co.’s (NYSE: PG) Gillette, Tag Heuer and PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) have removed Woods from marketing campaigns for the time being.

Woods made his first step today towards regain some semblance of his former image. The statement seemed sincere and it will take years of work and public forgiveness for him to return to the forefront of the athletic world.

"I've had a lot of time to think about what I've done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It's now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity."

Video of Tiger Woods Statement:

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