21
Aug
2007
Retirement Drama
Remember the days when athletes would announce their retirement at the right time? Remember when an athlete said, “This is my last season” and actually meant it? The farewell tours were so much better and more meaningful then. Now, a player retiring doesn’t mean much because people feel he’ll be back in a season, sometimes even less. When a star player used to retire, it was news. Now when a star player talks about retiring, it’s a soap opera.
Take Michael Strahan for example. He couldn’t make up his mind about whether he had enough “passion” to come back for another season at the conclusion of last season. The Giants organization respected him enough to give him the entire summer to think about it. Now we’re into training camp and he still hasn’t decided whether he wants to play or not. The Giants went out and got Simeon Rice to replace him, in the event Strahan retires. What were they supposed to do? Leave a gap at defensive end? I don’t think so. Consequently, Strahan goes on this baby act, whining about how he feels betrayed by the Giants. Meanwhile, reports came out that his agent was guaging teams around the league to see what kind of interest they showed. Apparently, no one was really interested because of his salary. But my point is, he’s checking out other teams while keeping the Giants on hold, and then complains about being betrayed? Give me a break.
I realize that Strahan has been a great defensive end for the Giants and I’m sure he gave them his all when he played. But I can’t stand when old, over the hill athletes feel its their right to take as long as they want to decide what they want to do or whether they have enough “passion” or “love for the game” to come back another season. Brett Favre has tarnished his legacy in my eyes by holding the Packers hostage with his soap opera the past two seasons. Brett has hurt the Packers and stunted their growth and development the past two years more than anything. 20 touchdowns and 29 interceptions followed by 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions the past two years. That’s not helping your team. You have to learn to let the game go when the game has let you go. I got so sick of turning on the tv or radio and hearing about whether Favre is coming back or retiring. Who the hell really cares at this point? He’s washed up. He’s an average quarterback. That’s it. It’s pretty much the same for Strahan, although he still has a bit more left to give than Favre does.
When an organization gives you an entire summer or offseason to decide what you want to do, be respectful and make a decision in a timely manner. The fact that they gave you that period of time to decide is them showing you the respect you deserve for loyalty. However, when you drag a team into training camp without making a decision, you’ve gone overboard. Doesn’t matter who you are.
(You have to know when to say when)