Not Knowing When To Retire
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Normally the average person retires when they can afford to or just have no choice when they reach a certain age. Sportsmen it is different though as many try and continue past their sell by date.
A true champion goes out at the top on his or her terms and that is how they are remembered. It is sad seeing someone who is half the person they were continuing when everyone can see it is not the same.
Living in the limelight looking for accolades that have long gone is what it is about. For some it is the money but for most it is not being able to face up to reality. This is more common than you might think as most try to cling on to something they once had. Their ego gets in the way and they can't see what is unfolding around them.
We can all think of different sports personalities who went on a little too long for whatever reason. For most it is not money, but more to do with personal goals and glory. Not knowing when to quit is a huge problem that most can't bear to face. I know one ex rugby player who won the World Cup and he said to me the hardest thing to deal with is not the playing anymore, but the buzz he got from the crowds.
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A 6 year gap for Leonard was too big a gap and he was knocked out in the 5th round. This took a huge shine off what was a great career.
Sugar Ray Leonard was a prime example coming out of retirement not once, but 3 times. His last fight he was knocked out and suffered an injury to his eye socket. That fight is the last time his fans will remember him by. Maybe it was money that drove him to do it for one last payday or was it a shot at more glory?
Most football players end up in their twilight of their careers in the MLS league in the States instead of hanging up their boots going out at the top. I suppose the lucky ones have the choice taken away from them by not having their contract renewed and means they have gone on a bit too long.
There are the total opposites who retire way too early and can recall Bjorn Borg who in his prime walked away from it all. He was just 26 and still winning tournaments. He still had a good 4 or 5 years left in him, but hated the limelight and the press. Not many people know this but Bjorn tried a comeback in 1991 and failed not winning a set in any of his games.
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Yes its a tough decision considering they are so young. The best jockey that has ever graced the sport did a documentary about what he went through. It was great .
I didn't know that about Bjorn. For me it's always the saddest when it's a boxer and they get an utter pounding
with a boxer you can't hide behind team mates so it is more obvious as your body is on the line. Personally I think when you retire in boxing you can't come back to challenge for a title. It is just wrong and unfair.
It is unfair because they allow them back in often terrible untrained condition sometimes. I always used to wince when I would see a flabby old man get in the ring and take on someone in their prime and you would be like FFS man, give it up!!
Totally agree with you. Sugar Ray Leonard hadn't fought for 6 years yet it was a title challenge. He wasn't flabby, but still. There is a huge difference between sparring with a boxer and then fighting someone for a title.
I believe those were some important reasons why some players choose not to retire. They're driven by a certain factor.
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how about when Tyson tried to make a comeback. He brought all the crazy and none of the skill. I don't remember who he was up against but he had a giant temporary tattoo on his back advertising a casino. I was embarrassed for the man. Then to get completely worked against a string of halfway decent fighters was the nail in the coffin. His legacy in the 80's will not be tarnished, but the first thing i think of when i think Tyson is how much of a disaster his return to the ring was.
It is pretty ridiculous because unless they made some really poor decisions early in their career, it isn't like they need the extra money to keep going that long. I would think you would want to call it quits at your peak and then spend some time with your family or work on passion projects that you have like charity and things like that. I guess it probably all comes down to how you managed your finances from the start.
I will Say in Sports if You wanna Retiree Then Your Retirement is Possible to be great Misplay Because almost all Life You Remained Busy in an Extra Tough and Scheduled Life which Actually Not Remain at Least 10% of the Previous Routine Life...
This is a very good topic
The love of money is the reason why some athletes don't retire and why many footballers end up in MLS and China leagues
Left for me, I think nothing feels good like hanging ones boots when the stage is overwhelming than doing that when you've flopped
This sort of dilemma exists in almost all types of sports, especially the popular ones. The sportsmen love to remain in the stardom which is really something no one wants to give up, the other reason is the passive income they generate from being a popular player. So it is again too hard. But very few are brave enough to call it their day at a time when they are at the peak.