Sportscaster Jim Gray says Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest a ‘cry for help’

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Tiger Woods was taken into custody following a rollover accident that occurred on Florida’s Jupiter Island on Friday.

At a news conference, Sheriff John Budensiek said the five-time Masters winner was traveling at a “high rate of speed” when his vehicle crashed into another car, causing it to roll onto the driver’s side.

Budensiek added that Woods appeared to “crawl” out of the vehicle from the passenger side.

Fox News correspondent Jim Gray said Woods’ crash and subsequent arrest marked the latest chapter in what he called an ongoing “sad story.”

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“It’s a sad story, and it continues to be a sad story. We were all so excited to watch him play golf. He’s a national treasure (and) an international icon, perhaps the greatest icon ever. Jack Nicklaus has more majors, but Tiger is widely acclaimed, the greatest golfer ever,” Gray said on “Special Report” on Friday.

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“Seeing it happen not just once, but twice, and now a third time… and managing to survive the last time, and now going through it again, it just makes you wonder who’s around him. Why does he keep going under these conditions? And he treated his rider so well on the course, maybe he should find a rider to drive him.”

Golfer Tiger Woods stands next to his overturned vehicle on Friday, March 27, 2026, on Florida’s Jupiter Island. (Jason Oteri/AP)

Authorities said Woods “exhibited signs of impairment.” He gave a “triple zero” for alcohol but refused a urine test.

“DUI investigators arrived on scene and Mr. Woods showed signs of impairment. They performed various tests on him. Of course, he disclosed his injuries and surgeries. We took that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside testing,” Budensiek added.

“We didn’t really suspect that alcohol was involved in this case, and that turned out to be true in prison. … But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis, he refused. And so he was charged with drunken driving for property damage and refusal to submit to legal testing.”

Gray described the incident as disturbing.

“It’s just another cry for help, he’s screaming. At some point, somehow, someway, someone has to get to him to give him that help. Get him a driver, get out from behind the wheel. When you have that many surgeries, of course we see this all the time in professional sports, so many surgeries lead to so much pain.”

“And you have to try to alleviate that pain somehow, and that leads people down that path. I can’t speak to whether or not he’s down that path. I haven’t talked to his doctor, and I haven’t talked to him about it.”

“But from habits, from patterns we’ve seen from others, and from his own style, we know something is wrong here. Fortunately, he didn’t hurt himself as badly as last time, and he didn’t hurt anyone else either.”

The Masters begins April 9 at Augusta National, and Woods recently said he has not ruled out playing in the first major of the season.

Since winning the green jacket in 2019, Woods has failed to place in the top 20 in the 14 events he has participated in. It’s the longest such streak of his career since failing to finish in the top 20 in the first six majors of his career in 1995 and 1996. He has finished in the top 20 only four times in his last 26 majors.

After finishing ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish in 18 official events was a tie for 37th at the 2020 PGA Championship.

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“He’s given us so much excitement and so much joy. I think it would be a joy for all of us to see him get back on track. To get over the pain. He’s had surgeries on his back, his neck, his Achilles, his knee, etc.”

“It’s all come together. Just seeing him smile, being a part of the game, being around his kids and being able to work normally will be a great joy for us going forward. He doesn’t have to live up to himself and what he’s done on the golf course in the past. That’s a constant and will be forever.”

Woods hasn’t competed in a professional golf tournament since 2024, when he competed in just five events (the Genesis Invitational and four majors). He withdrew from Genesis, finished last in the Masters and missed the cut in other majors.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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