RON ARTEST EXPLAINS OPEN LETTER TO TIGER: Lakers star calls golfer 'a perfect role model.'

      His intent, he told the Associated Press, was to encourage the golf star in the midst of media scrutiny that Artest believes is unfair. The NBA player said he wrote the letter after discussing the backlash Tiger has experienced since divulging his marital infidelity.

      In his post, Artest called Woods a "perfect role model for me and my sons." He also shared some of his own story, including that he fathered a child with another woman after having two children with his girlfriend who later became his wife. Artest said in his blog he now has two boys and two girls.

      "I just felt it was a situation where we heard one of the greatest is not going to play golf, a sport that he loves," Artest told the AP. "Ok, look at me. I'm over here in L.A., having a great season, back on track and I make way more mistakes than him. Hopefully that's some words of encouragement."

      He said Wednesday that Woods is still a perfect role model and that he would tell his sons nothing about Woods' admissions because the golfer's personal life is none of their business.

      "I don't get into somebody's personal (life)," said Artest. "You always raise your kids the right way and let them know what's right and wrong and when they get older, they'll make their own decisions."

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