STEELE SPORTS
In the sports world, the term “generational talent” is reserved for an elite handful of athletes who make their mark on a sport through – in most instances – years of dedication and mastery of their craft.
Names such as Michael Jordan, Floyd Mayweather and Tom Brady are some that may come to mind initially.
All of these athletes hold their fair share of records, titles and influence over a mass of fans in the sports world – almost as if they were sports royalty.
But as the hand of time keeps on ticking, each year we slowly see the decline of these generational talents as they drift away from the athletes they once were in their prime.
Rumors and questions begin to swirl around the media on an annual basis about whether or not they will continue to play or call it a career and retire to live happily ever after.
Selfishly, we all want our favorite athletes to play forever.
But far worse than seeing them retire, is when we are forced to watch our heroes be humbled right before our eyes.
Most recently, fans have had front-row seats to the rapid downward spiral of my personal favorite quarterback, Tom Brady.
With seven Super Bowl rings and numerous NFL records, along with being from the same region of the San Francisco Bay Area, I grew up idolizing the career of Brady and trying to mold my game after him.
Love him or hate him, you have to respect greatness for what it is, and Brady exemplified that.
When he retired initially, fans were ready to turn the page and begin a new chapter; until he decided that he would not be calling it quits.
I can understand wanting to return to the game you love, but at some point, you have to recognize that life is bigger than just sports.
Witnessing Brady begin the early stages of a divorce from his longtime wife, Gisele Bündchen, while also leading his Tampa Bay Buccaneers team to a middling 3-2 record make you garner the question, “Is it really worth it?”
Hell, even just a couple months back, I witnessed Mayweather fight in an exhibition match against a YouTube personality strictly on the merit that it would not cost him a loss on his record while also netting him millions of dollars in pay-per-view buys.
It’s just sad to see the icons we grew up with not be able to give up the game and move forward in life – tarnishing their legacies and sacrificing the bigger things in life for a game that is temporary.
Equally as important as knowing how to navigate fame and how to do your job at the highest level, is recognizing when it is time to step aside and let the next generation take the reins.