AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > January > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRetirement? Yeah, right
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
What Mario Lemieux’s retirement (well, his latest one) tells you is something that you already should know. That is, nobody retires in sports these days – not unless they absolutely have to.
In this case, Lemieux couldn’t overcome the triple combination of a heart problem, possible surgery and side effects from medication. If not for those issues, the 40-year-old Hall of Famer would attempt to play in the NHL from now until a group of scientists discovered ways in another century to pry the skates from his feet.
Athletes are addicted to adrenaline. That’s why it’s a joke to think that Brett Favre actually will retire from the Green Bay Packers before this season or any other season when he still can move his right arm forward and scramble a little.
Roger Clemens retiring?
Puhleeze.
This adrenaline thing also applies to coaches. I mean, 80-something Marv Levy was threatening to coach the Buffalo Bills again. And don’t think ancient Jack McKeon is fully retired after resigning from the Florida Marlins last season.
The word “retirement� in professional sports is just another way of saying “I’m resting until I can get back out there.�
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Quick Hit, Terence Moore
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By mack daddy
January 25, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
and don’t forget about Evander Holyfield…he still be fighting if he could get a sanctioned bout…
By Kennesaw Dawg
January 25, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
So, in other words: athletes like to play sports. Wow.
By Yo yo yo
January 25, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
Terence - when are you going to retire? The sooner the better.
By Paul
January 25, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
I am sorry Mr. Moore, but have you ever had the chance to interview Mario? The makeup of a hockey player is completely different than the picture you paint.
By Birdbrain
January 26, 2006 02:57 AM | Link to this
When will Vick retire…that’s an announcement i will look forward to, the sooner the better.
By Puppet, Please!
January 26, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
AJC, does the lack of opinions on this column, tell you anything? Terrence has very little to offer when he isn’t race baiting. He is the absolute Shaolin Master of the obvious and the LAZIEST journalist I have ever had the misfortune to read. His idea of research is calling his uncle or a member of the Big Red Machine (as long as its Tony Perez or Joe Morgan) and then making a bad analogy that relates Notre Dame or the 1975 Cincinnati Reds to whatever biased point he is trying to make. I would wager that he spends less than an hour a day working on his column. I hope you pay him accordingly.
By the truth
January 26, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
Hang in there Mr.Moore, your dealing with people full of hate(in reference to those that bash you)..GREAT ARTICLE people that love to do something really hate to give it up, especially when it’s fun and it’s makes a lot of money, and it’s something they have been doing all their life. However, sometimes these players don’t come to terms with reality and realize when it’s time to give it up, it’s all about the PASSION…
By Other Mark
January 26, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
And the biggest of them all, Michael Jordan. And now we hear that his little buddy Rodman wants to come back…
By Other Mark
January 26, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Forget it guys, you won’t see the black athletes that are hanging on listed in one of Moore’s articles. Just Mario, Favre and Clements. But what about REggie White, Jordan, Evander, Larry Holmes, even Ali? Or on the baseball field, Grissom?
By Peerless' Mama.
January 26, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
Although my son has been long GONE I still follow your writing and do not understand these ingorant fools who criticize your every word.
You wouldn’t know anything about sports would you, having covered the BIG RED MACHINE in Cincinatti and Joe Montana’s 49ers in San Fransisco?
I think you do a GREAT JOB and would hope that with all of your contacts you could could possibly help my son find a job.
Concerning Peerless: Did the Falcons ever replace him?
Peerless’ Mama.
By Matthew
January 26, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
I agree with you 100%, the truly great ones never want to retire and give it up. Just like when I was a Marine and was forced to retire due to my knees. I wanted to remain a Marine since I was a great Marine (did I ever mention my shooting range scores?) but I was forced to leave.
These redneck losers who attack you have no idea what it is like to be great at something but then having to give it up due to not being physically able any more. Well I do so I fully understand why Mario Lemieux wouldn’t be retiring unless he had to. After all I was to the Marines what Mario Lemieux was to the Penguins.
Great article and great point Mr. Moore, I salute you.
By Matthew
January 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
Actually Mr Moore I was a flyboy, not a marine. And I had to fake knee injuries to avoid a 3 month tour in Iraq. I was too scared to fight the terrorists.