Going Out With a Bang

Every athlete wants to go out on top. The best want to be remembered when they are performing at their highest potential. Take for example, the first two times Michael Jordan retired versus the last time. He, without question, left at the top of his game the first two times. He had won 3 championships on two separate occasions. We were left with video clips and memories of last second shots and spectacular dunks. Unfortunately, as stated, he was only right the first two times. He struggled to leave the game and came back for another run. It is painful to see Sir Airness in a Wizards uniform. This symbolizes the career that should have ended with the Bulls. You could say the same for Joe Montana in a Chiefs uniform. This is, unfortunately, a problem that many of today’s players have. They never know when to say, “Goodbye”.

This weekend marked another great debate in the final days of a professional career. In one of NFL’s divisional playoff games, you had an aging quarterback mobilizing as if it were his first year in the big league. On the other hand, you had the inopportune fall of a quarterback well over due. The best of Kurt Warner’s football days are far behind him. He awed us with his “youthfulness” a few years ago in one of the most gripping Super Bowls in the past few decades. Although, he didn’t win, this was when he was performing at his personal best.

It is the difference between walking out and being walked out. In Warner’s case, he was forcefully walked out. With a couple of minutes left in the first half, Warner received heavy pressure and regrettably threw it to the Saints in black. As he followed the play softly attempting to shadow the interceptor, he was met with a vicious block. With questions of this being Warner’s last season, and possibly game; Bobby McCray of the Saints presented the answer.

If you don’t have the capabilities or talent to compete at the highest level, understand that your better days are behind you and move on—it is professional sports for a reason. It is home to the best athletes in each respected league. On one side of the playoff table the energetic Favre still looks to be competing at the top level. On the other side, Warner occupies the aging block to the apparent heir in Lienart. If Warner was playing and looking for a reason to leave the game, he definitely received it. My advice, don’t wait until you are lying on your back staring at the stars before you decide you have had enough.  I send out my warnings to Favre and Hasselbeck, you’re next.

Popularity: 1% [?]