In a prepared statement that lasted just over 14 minutes, Tiger Woods called his behavior irresponsible and selfish, and he apologized. But what was going on behind the scenes? INSIDE EDITION has all the details of what you didn't see.
"I want to say to each of you simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in."
Tiger Woods finally talks. The disgraced superstar was on the verge of tears and hugging his mother after breaking his silence about his sordid sex scandal.
"I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated," said Woods.
The world watched as Woods stood alone at a stark podium for his 14-minute statement, wearing gray slacks, a pale blue shirt, and a dark blazer.
Woods's wife Elin was nowhere in sight. Woods reportedly tried to convince Elin to stand by his side in his final hours before he took the stage. Elin reportedly made up her mind that she wasn't going to attend before she went to bed. Very early Friday morning Woods was said to be begging his wife to change her mind.
"I understand the press wants to ask me details and times I was unfaithful. I understand that people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I'm concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me," declared Woods.
Woods defiantly fought back against reports that Elin came after him with a golf club the night of his Thanksgiving car crash, saying, "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's mother Kutilda sat in the front row, looking nervous and grim. At her side was Amy Reynolds of NIke, the golf great's biggest sponsor, and with them was Kathy Battaglia, who works for Tiger Woods Enterprise.
"I have brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, and my mother," said Woods.
The golfer shared a long embrace with his mom after his speech. She whispered in his ear, "I'm so proud of you."
Woods then hugged each member in the front row, and wiped his brow as he left the room.
The statement had the elaborate orchestration of a presidential press conference, but there was one big glitch--midway through his speech the pool camera went black. The world watched the rest of the address from a side angle camera.
Reporters and TV crews who were banned from Woods's the press conference piled into a nearby hotel ballroom to watch on a big screen TV. Reaction to his statement was mixed.
Jeff Babineau, Editor of Golf Week said, "I think we saw a man up there that seemed humbled by his transgressions and willing to become a changed person."
From CNN Headline News, Rafer Weigel said, "I have never seen anything like this in this in all the years that I've been covering sports. That they would not only keep the media from asking questions, but from even being in the location."
Woods also said in his speech, "I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled."
INSIDE EDITION also learned more about the timing of Woods's appearance. He is on a week long break from treatment for sex therapy, but he announced he's returning immediately.
"It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do," said Woods.
And though his road to recovery is long, he has made strides with his extraordinary public apology.
"For all I have done, I am so sorry," concluded Woods.
