2008 The Year of the Retirement
With the looming announcement of Trevor Linden’s retirement his name will be added to the lengthening list of top athletes who are calling it quits in 2008. The Canucks captain who has served the team for many years, and will always been known to fans as “Captain Canuck”, is expected to announce his retirement in a press conference later this afternoon. The more troubling piece of news however is the growing list of professional athletes who are calling it a career in 2008. The list seems to be growing on a daily basis and is filled with a who’s who of top athletes who have all conquered their respective sport in one way or another.
Some of these retirements are taking place at a time that makes a lot of sense such as Bret Favre, Michael Strahan, and Dominik Hasek. While others came seemingly from out of nowhere and have shocked the sports world, ie. Annika Sorenstam, Justine Henin, and probably the most shocking Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Mayweather who was scheduled to have a much hyped rematch with Oscar De La Hoya has decided to opt out of the fight and end his career in a decision that came from out of nowhere. While Henin and Sorenstam are leaving their respective sports at the top of their game as well.
It is not the fans place to decide when an athlete retires and if athletes feel that they can’t compete at the same level anymore than they are doing the right thing. All of these athletes have sacraficed numerous times for their sport and they have all earned the right to walk away from the game. Its just a sad day when so many big names, some who are child hood heroes *cough* Bret Favre *cough*, will be leaving the game forever. Now if only Chad Pennington would retire and leave my Jets alone so they could finally win a Superbowl again.
Below is a list of some notable retirees from 2008:
Bret Favre - Futre NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback
Michael Strahan – NFL Single Season Sack Record Holder
Floyd Mayweather - Best Pound for Pound Fighter in the World
Dominik Hasek - Top 5 All-Time NHL Goalie
Bobby Knight – NCAA Mens Basketball Coach
Justine Henin – Womens #1 Ranked Tennis Player
Johnothan Ogden - NFL Offensive Lineman
Joe Gibbs - Hall of Fame NFL Coach
Steve McNair - NFL Quarterback
Larry Allen – NFL Offensive Lineman
Annika Sorenstam – Womens #1 Ranked Golfer
Maurice Green – USA Track Star
Vinny Testaverde - NFL Quarterback
Warren Sapp – NFL Defensive Tackle
Monica Seles – Female Tennis Great
Pat Riley – NBA Coach
Chris Webber – NBA Player
Mike Alstott – NFL Fullback
John McDonell – NCAA Track & Field Coach (42 national titles)
Ryan Klesko – MLB Player
Willie McGinest – NFL Player
Dale Jarrett – Nascar Driver
Romario – Brazilian Soccer Player
Mike Rucker – NFL Defensive Lineman
