Coming out of Retirement Successfully

Bret Favre, Michael Jordan and Lance Armstrong.  What do these names have in common?  They belong to guys who retired while at the zenith of their sports careers, who then came out of retirement to again suit up and compete.  For Michael the results of his return was arguably mixed and even mediocre.  Bret and Lance, meanwhile, have so far made the impossible look possible, even probable, and while staring “middle-age” right in its wrinkled kisser.

Why is a great question for debate.  Sports junkies will contemplate and dissect the reasons over and over with differing conclusions.  Opinions based on facts, some on personal assumptions, and some fueled by a few adult beverages, will be argued until sports bars turn off their neon beer signs.

Given that all of these warriors were successful and breathed the rarified air of international fame and fortune it would seem that something philosophical had to come into play or, maybe it’s something as simple as pure desire.  Guys that just haven’t lost the drive and intensity that pinnacle achievements require.  Still many of us continue to focus on whether an athlete is over the hill yet when analyzing potential, again why, probably history.

It’s extremely rare for athletes to continue to be competitive once they approach 40…unless they’re playing golf.  Although the jury is still out, it appears that Lance Armstrong is going to be one of those extremely rare cases… and an argument for the popular assertion that 40 is the new 30.  The new team sponsor, Radio Shack, might also be included in this discussion.  An older, steady, established company, that some might say is past it’s prime, is making a brash marketing move to reestablish itself amongst its younger, bigger and flashier rivals.

Lance’s life story is already begging for a writer to create a script for the silver screen, but right now we’ve got a front row seat for the sequel as it unfolds right in front of our eyes.  Maybe Radio Shack can follow Sony’s lead and turn movie producer too!  Find a comfortable chair and get the popcorn ready.

By Todd Huff, staff writer