In the last few weeks, there’s been a flurry of athlete retirement news. From New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu to Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Carter, many athletes have decided it’s time to hang up their cleats. But it’s important to remember that, just because a professional athlete retires doesn’t mean they can’t “un-retire” and come back better than ever.
Whether it’s because of injuries, the desire to spend more time with family or simply a lack of interest in competing anymore, some athletes decide they’re ready to retire early. In the past, this may have been a difficult transition for the athlete, but with advances in healthcare and overall support, many athletes are now able to continue to compete and enjoy the rewards of their hard work.
For example, former NFL star Brandon Scherff retired from the league this summer after 10 seasons in the NFL. The Iowa native is a five-time Pro Bowler and was the 2014 Outland Trophy winner. Fortunately for him, he found a second career as an entrepreneur in the tech space.
Other former athletes are also finding passions in new activities outside of their sports. For example, NBA All-Star Karl Malone now runs several business, including a trucking company, and two-time World Cup champion Alex Morgan invests in tech startups through her company Trybe Ventures. The shift can be especially hard for elite athletes who have spent most of their lives focused on their sport, but it’s not impossible.