In just two weeks, the sporting world has witnessed what seems to be the departure of three hall of famers. While all three have greatness as their common trait, the manner in which they departed their sport varies tremendously. The differences, though, highlight the toughest question every competitive athlete must answer, "Is it time to hang them up?"
Clock Strikes 11
Heading into the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers seemed to be in trouble. Their game lacked the usual flow, execution and swagger that were signatures of Phil Jackson-coached teams. Still, it surprised everyone as a team, led by Kobe Bryant, the NBA's most clutch player since Michael Jordan and coached by 11 time champion coach Jackson, struggled through a weak New Orleans Hornets team and then proceeded to be dismissed by the Dallas Mavericks in a sweep. While losing is part of every team, even the great ones, this final stand for Jackson was sad at best. The winningest coach of the playoffs couldn't muster up any supreme effort from his players and worst of all, he couldn't keep his players' attitudes and frustrations in check, failing to stop both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum from hurting the Mavericks' players with blatant dirty plays. As many highs as Jackson attained in his career, that exit was just plain horrible.
Race to (B)itch Mountain
When Floyd Mayweather cooked up yet another excuse not to face Manny Pacquiao, "Sugar" Shane Mosley stepped up to challenge the Filipino champ. While many were quick to scoff at Mosley and his advancing age, I defended their fight because Mosley would at least man up and trade punches with Pacman; or so I thought. After testing Pacquiao's power and getting knocked down in round 3, Mosley did the unthinkable. The man who beat the great Oscar de la Hoya (twice) and the man who racked up over 30 KO's to his name ran, and I mean RAN. Mosley spent rounds 4 through 12 backpedalling, trying his best to get some cardio while avoiding getting hit. So cowardly was his tactics that Pacquiao literally stopped and asked him to punch in the middle of the fight. This shameful loss may be only one loss in Mosley's storied career and he himself is unsure if his career is over, but as exits go, this is probably the worst. A tremendous career littered with supreme talent and transcendent achievements will forever be tarnished by a tragic race around the ring.
It's Only Natural
Ask anyone and they'll tell you that sports are for the young, but apparently, Randy Couture didn't get the memo. At well over 40, Couture was still fighting at a high level and even racked up yet another three-fight winning streak. Couture, though, was already contemplating retirement and was looking for one last big fight. With a hall of fame career and five titles to his name, it made a lot of sense for Randy to seek out an easy fight to put a cherry on top of his sundae of a career. Instead, he asked for a match against Lyoto Machida, the UFC's most elusive fighter and resident karate kid. Machida posed plenty of problems for Couture, but he wanted a true challenge as his last fight, just like every other fight he fought in his long career. While Couture was eventually knocked out (via a tremendous "Crane Kick" by Machida), he exited with his head held high (albeit lacking a tooth) because he went out the same way he came in; fighting at a tremendously high level. Just like Japan's samurais before, Couture went out swinging and he (and we as fans) couldn't ask for a better end.
The competitive nature of athletes makes it difficult to determine when it is time to stop and retire. Oftentimes, we see athletes play one more game or fight one more match than they should've. Here's a hint for them, though. They make a conscious effort to end things on their terms, fighting/playing as hard as they can and then exit. If they're going to be unable to maintain a high level like Phil Jackson or embarrass themselves like Shane Mosley, they might as well hang them up early.
