No matter what the transgression, athletes and celebrities must use the same writer for their apologies because they sure use an awful lot of the same words. Below are the common words used by statements from Bill Clinton, Marion Jones, David Letterman, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Vick and Tiger Woods. (McGwire’s is an interview with Bob Costas; as close to a public statement as you’ll find. Clinton’s was from his address to the nation while President.)
Trends? I, me or my are the most frequently used words, followed by You. A-Rod put up career words and almost apologized for the cycle, Marion Jones has the shortest speech at just 371 words, while Clinton never actually apologizes. While Letterman’s word count appears to have him saying the right things, his comes off the most disingenuous when you read it. Ironically, while the media loves to use this word in their coverage, no speech uses the word transgression.
Bill Clinton — 546 words
- family (3)
- hurt (1)
- I (26)
- me (12)
- my (18)
- responsibility (2)
- wife (3)
- you (6)
Marion Jones — 371 words
- children (1)
- embarrassed
- family (5)
- hurt (1)
- husband (1)
- I (25)
- me (11)
- mother (2)
- my (22)
- responsible (1)
- sorry (1)
- trust (1)
- you (11)
David Letterman — 1,483 words
- embarrassing (1)
- family (2)
- hurt (2)
- I (74)
- me (43)
- my (15)
- responsibility (1)
- sorry (1)
- wife (1)
- you (38)
Mark McGwire — 4,087 words
- apologize (1)
- children (1)
- dad(2)
- family (10)
- hurt (2)
- I (277)
- me (135)
- my (59)
- sorry (3)
- trust (2)
- wife (4)
- you (28)
Alex Rodriguez — 4,263 words
- apology (1)
- apologize (1)
- family (2)
- hurt (1)
- I (244)
- me (147)
- my (47)
- parents (2)
- responsible (1)
- sorry (1)
- trust (2)
- wife (2)
- you (128)
Michael Vick — 533 words
- apologies (2)
- apologize (3)
- ashamed (1)
- I (43)
- me (9)
- my (15)
- responsible (1)
- responsibility (2)
- you (16)
Tiger Woods — 1,514 words
- apology (2)
- children (4)
- dad (1)
- family (6)
- hurt (2)
- I (115)
- me (61)
- mom (1)
- mother (2)
- my (61)
- shame (1)
- sorry (3)
- wife (7)
- you (21)
2 comments:
It's as if these public statements have all been crafted by the same team of public image consultants! Actually, I just read something by Larry Kudlow -- a huge Tiger fan -- who called this "the spiritual 12-step language of the heart." So maybe I need to get over my cynicism.
Really, though, it's interesting that the two shortest statements on your list were made by the only two people who had to pay for their transgressions with prison time.
You should apologize to your family for having spent so much time on this post versus quality time with them.
Just kidding.
It's not just public relations tactics. It also goes to some basic therapy/12-step program fundamentals. Recognizing your part in the matter and seeking to make amends. Do a Google search on things like Alcoholics Anonymous and you'll see.
The pr wonks are not original enough to fabricate the apologies on their own. They are ripping off the classics.
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