Time to hang the boots up?

[Marc]

One thing that bothers me in the sports world is when I see once-great athletes play in the game they once dominated, but now are average, at best. Players need to know when it's time to retire and move on because they risk tarnishing their legacy and reputation of being such a dominating and great athlete in their respective sport. Examples? Take Cal Ripken, Jr. Or how about Patrick Ewing? Or Jerry Rice?

It was great how Jordan, Elway, Marino, Young, and other legends went out at the right time, but too many don't know when, unfortunately.

Does this bother any one else?

[iFroggy]

One of the things that makes great athletes great in my opinion, is there love for the game. They should play for as long as they like. Rice, Ewing, Ripken are still quality players in their respective sports. Everyone has a "Peak" time, after Peak its downhill, that doesn't mean you retire.

[Robyn]

I think that athletes should retire when their playing skills have gone down so much that they're not able to be a good contribution to their team anymore. My heart goes out to them, but this is a serious business.

[iFroggy]

Yes, but how do you define contribution? By the leadership skills they can possess? By the how much they can help newer and younger players? and by how there performace is on the field?

I think its a combination. But, Ewing, Ripken, and Rice can still make a better contribution to their team then a lot of players in their respective leagues. In my opinion.

[Wedge231]

Yes, it is depressing for me to watch players past their prime struggling as they continue to age.

[Robyn]

Originally posted by iFroggy
Yes, but how do you define contribution? By the leadership skills they can possess? By the how much they can help newer and younger players? and by how there performace is on the field?

I think its a combination. But, Ewing, Ripken, and Rice can still make a better contribution to their team then a lot of players in their respective leagues. In my opinion.

When it all comes down to it, it is what they can accomplish on the playing field that matters over everything.

[Wedge231]

I think IFroggy is right. Many of the older players act as mentors to the youngers, less experienced ones. Team with less experience that are made of mostly younger players don't tend to do well under alot of pressure. They need older guys to help them out because they've been there before.

[Tom Baker]

...but the problem is ego and the fact that a lot of these guys are addicted to the rush of competition and performing in front of an audience. I can't imagine why Troy Aikman, a certain hall-of-famer with 3 Super Bowl rings, would risk permanent brain injury by continuing to play. The Cowboys aren't going to be back in the Super Bowl anytime soon. But he's addicted to the competition and wants to prolong his playing days as long as possible. At least Steve Young woke up before the start of the season and retired, although I'm half-waiting for him to announce his "un-retirement," that seems to be a common thing.

I feel like Ripken should also retire while he's still somewhat capable, instead of limping into retirement. It's getting pretty bad for him as it is.

As for Lemieux, I'm all for him if he can still play. But he should know in practice if he's got a reasonable chance of having an impact. If not, he should have the common sense not to do it, and prevent tainting fan memories of unquestionably one of the top five hockey players of all time.

[iFroggy]

Originally posted by Tom Baker
I can't imagine why Troy Aikman, a certain hall-of-famer with 3 Super Bowl rings, would risk permanent brain injury by continuing to play.

Because of his love of the game itself. But, ifs its me, and my life is threatened, I would definitely have to stop.

[Wedge231]

Yeah. There has to be a line where your health comes first rather continuing to compete in a sport.

[Robyn]

Good point about the "un-retirement". I absolutely hate it when sports stars retire, get all the brouahaha, cermeonies, parties, etc., only to come back a few years later! They need to make a decision and stick with it, because that's not fair to the fans or the organization. The only exceptions I would make would be the Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson situations. Both of them went through such extreme emotional turmoil and tragedy around their retirements (for Jordan, the first retirement), you can't blame them for making hasty decisions that they later regretted.

[Wedge231]

Yes. I can't seem to take retriements too seriously anymore. There is always that chance that they will come back and it usually happens.

[iFroggy]

I wouldn't say it "usually" happens... but it does happen sometimes with the bigger name players, because they have the power to come back. :)

[Wedge231]

Yes but those are the only ones I really pay attention to. Nobody really notices when some no name player retires.

[Rick Dogg]

Speaking of people unretiring, I would love to see Barkley come back. He was my favorite player. Any of see him on TNT? He is hilarious!

[iFroggy]

Yes, he is funny :).