The greatest golfer to ever play the game. The athlete with the squeaky clean reputation. The all-american icon for the sport of golf. The family man with a gorgeous wife and two little kids.

Could all these things be forgotten so quickly? Well, it depends.

Last week, Tiger Woods was involved in a car accident in his neighborhood that involved him, a fire hydrant, and a neighbor’s tree. Oh yeah, his wife and a golf club were also present. Woods was taken to the hospital due to lacerations to his face. Why his wife, Elin, was present, still remains unclear. Different news and media outlets are reporting that either she was helping him exit through the back of his Cadillac Escalade by shattering the window, or she was upset and chasing him down because of a presumed affair that Tiger has been having with Rachel Uchitel.

Here is a statement that was released by Tiger Woods yesterday:

“As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I’m pretty sore.

This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.

This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.”