One of the most classless things that a pro athlete can do in my mind is waffle about retirement. I have lost considerable respect for Scott Niedermeyer, Teemu Selanne, Brett Favre, and others as well.
Being mainly knowledgeable about hockey and the NHL, that is what this open-mic article will be based upon.
There are plenty of examples in other sports, but I am not intelligent enough nor prepared to use those points to prove myself.
The big example the I have is Wayne Gretzky.
Gretzky had one of the best retirements in the history of sports. He was clearly the best player, statistically, to play in the NHL, so when his retirement was announced, the hockey world was saddened by it.
He did not waffle though. He did not pull a Brett Favre, or a Scott Niedermeyer. He knew exactly what he needed to do for the betterment of the team, his family, and of course, himself.
Wayne Gretzky had a philosophy that a pro athlete should retire when he could still have played one more year. That is why "The Great One" retired in 1999. Everyone knew that he could have had one more great year, statistically, yet if Gretzky played that one year, he would have retired with people saying, "Eh, he was done anyway."
That is not how someone wants to be remembered.
When Gretz was ready to retire, he did not publicize it to anyone, except his wife, Janet. As the season was winding down, people knew that he was planning on retiring, and when he played his last game in Canada, when his entire family showed up, everyone knew that it was for real.
The players were saddened, as was the entire hockey world, but we knew that Wayne was going to go out on top.
Although he never officially announced his retirement until after his final game, everyone knew that it was his last game, especially when he stayed on the ice after his final game in New York to skate one more time around the ice. He got a standing ovation from the crowd, and waved to them as tears fell from his eyes, showing how hard it was for him to leave his favorite game.
That is a true, classy athlete.
Tiki Barber is another quick example, because I do know his story. He was featured in Sports Illustrated back before the price of the magazine was over $90 per year, when I still subscribed to it. He could easily have played another three or four years, while putting up substantial numbers.
However, he knew that if he continued to play the grueling game of football, his body would not be what he wanted it to be, and he did not want to be that old man who can't get off the couch when his kids want to play with him. He outwardly said that, and he gained much more of my respect.
Anyone who retires due to family cannot have retired too early in my mind. Family should go before anything. Yes, even before hockey (shudder).
I believe that athletes have problems leaving the game for the same reason that you and I hate leaving college, friends, family (most of the time), and other activities. We love it.
Brett Favre loves football; Wayne Gretzky loves hockey, etc.
However, what many of them have to realize is that if I'm working for a company that I love dearly, and I retire at age 68, if I stay one more year, it is not going to matter, because I can still do my job just as well.
Athletes, however, need to be 110 percent athletic, fit, and ready to play. Every year, your body deteriorates and players are less capable of playing.
Take Derian Hatcher of the Philadelphia Flyers, for example. He should have retired three years ago. His knee is so sore he can barely skate. He doesn't put up points, and he has a negative plus/minus rating. He is hurting his team more than he is helping them.
Athletes need to know when it is time to retire, and when not to be selfish and stay just because it is fun, or they make a lot of money. The game should be about the team, and if you cannot help your team by sticking around, then don't. Just don't even try.
Plus, if an athlete really has to think for a month-and-a-half about whether or not they're ready to retire, then they are not mentally ready to play. It's that simple.
A team and a family are very similar, and you need to know how to please both of them. Family, you need to listen to when they express their opinions. And the team? Well, you need to put their needs before yours. If your retirement will lead to your team getting better, well, you have to do it.
Take note athletes. People lose respect for you when you waffle around and don't make up your mind.
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29 days ago
Another point is when Athletes waffle the team can't be sure whether they are coming back and are afraid to make a move to replace. Green Bay drafted a quarterback in 2005 but he has seen next to nothing in playing time and the team wasted a first round pick basically. Its getting ridicoulus with this. The biggest NHL name of not making up his mind is Mats Sundin he is preventing Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto from making moves with his indecision.
29 days ago
Nice article Alan! Good Job
29 days ago
"Take Derian Hatcher of the Philadelphia Flyers, for example. He should have retired three years ago. His knee is so sore he can barely skate. He doesn't put up points, and he has a negative plus/minus rating. He is hurting his team more than he is helping them."
Absolutely disagree! What Hatch brings to the ice and the locker room can not be measured on the ice by a ridiculous measurement like the plus/minus. His leadership has been a huge influence - many players have stated this. His experience and grit are an example on such a young team. He may have lost his legs but what he has not lost is is heart.
29 days ago
Nice article.
My pick of the day¡
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