Tiger Woods Breaks His Silence (FULL VIDEO)

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Tiger Woods addressed a number of outstanding questions during an emotional meeting with reporters in Florida.

A full transcript of his comments is coming. For now, here are the major points.

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Woods began by confessing to “repeated, irresponsible behavior.” “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated,” he admitted.

Woods added, “I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior,” and explained, ”I stopped living by the core values I was taught to believe in.”

“I knew my actions were wrong… I convinced myself that normal rules did not apply… I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself… I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to… I felt I was entitled,” said Woods, who then noted, ”I was wrong. I was foolish.”

“I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.”

Woods said moving forward, “It’s now up to me to make amends… It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity… Character and decency are what really count [more than what he does on the golf course].”

He even offered a special apology to kids who looked up to him as a role model.

As to whether he was getting help, Woods said, “For 45 days… I was in in-patient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I’m facing,” but added, ”I have a long way to go.”

“Moving forward, I will continue to receive help… Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy.”

Throughout the speech, an apologetic Woods used words like “atone” and “apologize.”

ON ELIN…

“My real apology to [Elin] will not come in the form of words. It will come from my behavior over time.”

And he told the media, “What we say to each other will remain between the two of us.”

He also wanted to explain what happened that Thanksgiving night. Woods said quite emphatically, “Elin never hit me that night or any other night… There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Ever.”

He lauded his wife as well. “Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal.. Elin deserves praise, not blame.”

Quite significantly, a visibly upset Tiger urged, “Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.”

TO HIS FRIENDS AND FANS…

Among the comments addressed to friends and fans, Woods said, “I have bitterly disappointed all of you”; ”I am the only person to blame”; ”For all that I have done, I am so sorry”; ”I have let you down personally and professionally”; ”My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners”; ”I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position”; and ”I have let down my fans.”

ON GOLF…

Woods also spoke about his future and golf. “I do plan to return to golf one day. I just don’t know when that day will be. I don’t rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game,” he said.

He also noted that allegations he used performance enhancing drugs were completely false.

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After speaking, Woods gave his mother a long hug.

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