SAMMY UNRETIRING???

In a recent article found on ESPN.com, MLB homerun standout Sammy Sosa declared his desire to play Major League Baseball again in a report published by a Dominican newspaper.

Sosa last played in 2007 with the Texas Rangers and then expressed, via his agent, his desire to not play for any Major League team. Sosa looks to unretire, so to speak, provided he actually receives an offer. "I still don't have an offer," he stated. "Any team who wants to sign me should have the initiative and make an offer."

The 18 year veteran had his longest and arguably biggest years in Chicago. He spent 16 years in the Windy City, thirteen of those years as a Cub where he had three 60+ Home Run seasons.

Sosa openly answered the "WHY?" to his potential return by stating, "Those who saw me training know I'm hitting the ball with the usual authority. I just hope to get the chance to prove that I'm still a threat."

Whether he actually gets a chance to prove himself will be determined over time. If so, he can be added to a list of many other professional athletes who have announced their "unretiring" and come back to their respective league.

Hopefully this is the right choice for Sammy Sosa, his wife, and four children. Who knows, but one thing still resounded in my mind as I read this article....at some point he will be done playing. Remember my credo..."100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION."

You can find out more at: www.fromglorydays.com

EXPANDING!!!

Typically there is not much commonality discussed between the work lives of professional athletes and that of corporate America, that is, until our recent economic crisis.

Never before have corporate employees felt the level of employment insecurity faced by professional athletes on a regular basis. Uncertain of "making the cut" is becoming commonplace in both the ranks of professional athletes and corporate employees. JOB INSECURITY has always been in the forefront and on the minds of professional athletes. Now, this professional uncertainty is becoming unfortunately commonplace in today's corporate America, especially in specific industries such as the automotive world and it's suppliers.

As a Transition Expert for Professional Athletes who resides in Metro Detroit, I'm seeing this economic effect firsthand and feel called to expand my expertise into the troubling corporate world, assisting the transition of corporate employees who face lay-offs and termination.

"100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION" has been my credo. This credo has now expanded to half-seriously stating, "30% of Corporate Employees Now Face Termination"

I will be using the same expertise from my work as a Nationally Certified Sports Counselor and Transition Expert for Professional Athletes to assist corporate employees in anyway possible.

You can find out more at: www.fromglorydays.com

IS YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER?

With an historic rate of foreclosed homes in our nation, professional athletes are not immune. NBA veterans, Vin Baker and Latrell Sprewell, the NFL's "Pacman" Jones, Major League Baseball's Jose Cansesco, all have been associated with homes in default or heading that way. What's sad is these athletes have scored in the millions and even tens of millions of dollars worth of income over the course of their careers. So how can this happen?

Many financial experts who work with high profile entertainers and athletes say one thing....PLAN AHEAD! The window of opportunity to make this kind of money is brief, at best. "Given the relatively short amount of time at peak earning potential, a comprehensive and customized financial plan is crucial," stated one New York investment broker.

Granted, life sometimes throws events and circumstances our way, making our financial life difficult. But planning ahead can make this fall shorter or softer than if unprepared for such an event.

The urge to spend or what I like to call "feasting" is very attractive and quite easy to do when the floodgates of cash are coming in. But it is imperative for an athlete to understand, this peak earning time is only temporary and at some point a new phase of their financial life must emerge without this large income.

Remember my credo....100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION! As difficult as it is during this time of living large, keep things in perspective. Plan Ahead! If you haven't already done so, contact a trustworthy financial group to assist. Just like I wouldn't expect to tell a doctor how to perform a liver transplant, I wouldn't pretend to know how to handle large sums of money if I haven't been previously educated or conditioned to do so. It'll be worth every penny you put into this planning now, while you are still playing. Plan Ahead to prevent the loss of income that will inevitably come and keep your house in order by doing so.

You can find out more about me, my book, and my transition consulting services at: www.fromglorydays.com

CASH OR CREDIT?

Life in today's modern world has become credit conscious. Credit scores, credit history, and credit limits are synonymous with today's society. Despite this fact, many professional athletes have never been concerned about their credit during their career, because of the access to sums of cash. This practice may be fine for sustaining a comfortable lifestyle during the course of a pro athlete's career, but what happens when the glory fades and those large checks cease? Don't forget my credo...100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION! Your exit from sports is going to eventually happen and many pro athletes may be paying more for items put on credit than the average population because of not building a credit history for their future.

In order to understand credit scores, history, and limits it's important to understand the system credit bureaus use to decide your credit status. This information is extremely important as it will determine if and how much credit a loaning institution will provide, in addition to the percentage rate they will loan you the money. The following are the parts of the credit scoring system used:

PAYMENT HISTORY - Approx. 35%
AMOUNTS OWED - Approx. 30%
LENGTH OF CREDIT HISTORY - Approx. 15%
DIVERSITY/MIX OF CREDIT - Approx. 10%
NEW/OPENED CREDIT - Approx. 10%

Monitoring these components while looking to develop a solid credit history gives you more buying power when purchasing a home, cars, and in some states insurance.

At some point, credit will be an important aspect of a pro athlete's life. It is imperative while still playing to think ahead and begin the process of becoming financially sound while possessing a solid cash and credit balance to last a lifetime, not just during a career in pro sports.

To find out more about me, my book, and my services go to: www.fromglorydays.com

BLOG NOW MONTHLY

Hello Loyal Blog Readers!

As of June 1st my blog will receive monthly updates versus weekly. I have begun my second book, "TRANSITION TO GLORY - Successfully Facing Life's Changes and Adversities," which will require the extra time and energy afforded this blog.

Please stayed tuned for monthly updates.

www.fromglorydays.com

"Will Work for Minimum Wage...Or Less!"

Growing up with four horses, cats, dogs, rabbits, and many other of God's creatures helped us appreciate the animal world. So it was no surprise when my older sister declared her interest in becoming a veterinarian. Having great wisdom and obvious foresight, my parents lined up an opportunity for her to spend a day with the local vet just down the road. This "Job Shadow" was the most valuable education and experience my parents could have provided. The very first medical procedure of the day consisted of snipping a puppy's tail and no sooner than the vet cut that little bugger's tail, my sister hit the floor...passed out cold. Well, needless to say she no longer wanted to become a vet and I gained one of the best stories about job shadowing that I could ever have. Better than I could've ever imagined.

As I recently read about two different professional athletes working internships during their off-season I couldn't help but reflect on my sister's fate. While not wishing the same outcome as my vet-to-be sister on these athletes, I'm excited to see the pubilicity Carolina Panther wide receiver, Steve Smith and New York Ranger, Sean Avery are receiving for their off-season actions. "There's not many well-known athletes that put on a business suit in the offseason," (Morgan Stanley, Vice-President) Derek Copelan said about his NFL intern. After filling out an applicatoin and undergoing a background check, Smith will work for free as he learns more about financial planning. At least, the NHL's Avery worked out a better paying deal, as he'll be paid minimum wage for his time with New York based Vogue Magazine.

In my book, FROM GLORY DAYS, NBA Hall of Famer, Dave Bing, shared the insight he possessed while still playing and worked during the off-season of his last seven seasons in the NBA. Working in finance and marketing, Bing purposedly prepared himself for the next phase of his life, long before it would arrive...and the rest is history. Bing is now world-reknown for his Bing Group which employs over 600 people and grosses over $500 million annually. A business Bing has built from scratch.

While Avery and Smith can only hope that they could have half as much success as Dave Bing has had following his professional career, time will tell what the value of their off-season experience will be. Minimumly, they will get a taste of something that could become the next phase of their lives....a new career.

I believe many current athletes can learn from these present and past professional athletes, (as well as my sister) who realize when it comes to exploring a job, there is nothing better than real life experience. Don't forget, 100% of Professional Athletes Ultimately Experience Job Termination. Professional athletes must eventually face a new phase of their lives and the sooner they prepare, the smoother this transition will be.

You can find out more about me and my transition services at: www.fromglorydays.com

FROM GLORY DAYS TO HOMELESS DAYS

While former NBA player, Joe Pace, might be able to joke about his inability to fit through the doorway of a Seattle homeless center his story is no joke, and does not fit the typical route of a former NBA Champion.

Ironically, it was thirty years ago the 6'10" Pace reached the pinnacle of an NBA career and donned a championship ring for the Washington Bullets after beating the Seattle Supersonics. Now, he is a resident of a Seattle homeless shelter where he works as a security guard for the first part of the day, hops a city bus to kill time for the remainder of the afternoon, and returns to the shelter at night to share a room with 60 other destitute people. Pace's plight did not go unnoticed as he became a headline this past week for such a twist of irony. In recent weeks the NBA Retired Players Association has also publicized his dire situation to it's members looking to collect clothing, toiletries, and other non-perishable items for him. Not being of average stature it's only befitting this assistance comes from some of the land's tallest men, as Pace sports a 44 Extra-Long Jacket and size 18 shoes.

But how did this large-statured man go from staying in the poshest hotels to the hard, small beds of a homeless shelter?

After winning a national championship in college, Pace went to the NBA but became impatient with his progress and decided to play overseas, one season shy of qualifying for an NBA pension. For the next 12 years he travelled the world, playing in seven different countries including the likes of Italy, Venezuela, England, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, and Argentina. It was in Argentina where his luck would turn drastically bad following a serious back injury while dunking and spending the next eights months confined to a bed. Following a multitude of unsuccessful back surgeries, Pace departed South America with a case of gangrene, the ending of his second marriage, and a loss of livelihood for which he had relied. Returning to the States with few prospects, he submitted to the use of drugs and alcohol and eventually sought rehabilitation. Pace jumped from city to city, only to ultimately commit the biggest regret of his life by selling his NBA Championship Ring for $1,000. He receives $600 a month from a permanent disability check and is on a long waiting list for subsidized housing.

As the word has gotten out about Joe Pace, many of his old teammates regularly stop by to see him, provide clothing and gift certificates, and look to provide emotional and spiritual support.

It's encouraging to see past relationships and the human factor have such a positive effect on such a life as Joe Pace's. Though, the NBA truly is a business, it's good to see the NBA Retired Players Association reach out in assistance of one of their fallen brothers. My hope is that they will not simply assist after someone has come to this point, but educate young athletes so as to help prevent them from such a plight.

As for Joe Pace...I hope he is finally able to find himself back on top, in his own little way and start by having a home.

You can find out more about me and my book at: www.fromglorydays.com

THE OLE' GRAY MARE

The lyrics of a legendary song is silently sung in the minds of many former NFL players. "The Ole' Gray Mare Just Ain't What She Used to Be," perhaps not written with former professional athletes in mind, but exemplifies the physical and emotional digression which occurs during and especially after a career in professional sports.

With the assistance of some longevity statistics, the NFL has recognized this concern and is coming to the aide of many ole' gray mares. According to the National Center for Health Statistics and cardiologist, Jeffrey Boone, an NFL veteran's life span is 16 to 22 years less than the average American male. The average NFL career spans 3.52 seasons and it is estimated that a player loses two to three years off their life expectancy for every season played. A sobering stat, which is dependent on their NFL position. NFL linemen are especially considered prone to heart and cardiovascular conditions that put them at high risk for heart attacks or strokes.

Come to the rescue....the Gridiron Greats and Health Force Partners who are working in conjunction with the NFL and NFLPA in order to offer hip and joint replacement, as well as heart and other cardiovascular screening. Health Force Partners is hoping to screen 10,000 former players over the course of the next few years according to Boone.

The battery of tests run on each player costs between $2,000 and $3,000 and is being paid by an alliance of the NFL, NFLPA, NFL Alumni, and the NFL Hall of Fame. After experiencing the screening one former NFL offensive lineman stated, "It changed everything I did last year. When they tell you that you have a body of a 68 year-old-man it gets your attention."

While healing the physical scars left from a modern gladiator sport is commendable, unfortunately, it is often we overlook the emotional ones, too. As we continue to mend our broken heroes let's not forget to assist in the not so obvious, emotional side of this process, as well.

Watch for further discussion to occur on this topic in future blog posts.

You can find out more at: www.fromglorydays.com

PEAK PERFORMANCE

The winning est coach in men's college basketball once stated, "Mental is to physical, as four is to one." Yogi Berra is quoted as saying, "It's 80 percent mental, the other half is physical," when discussing the mental aspect of professional sports. Though, Berra's math might be slightly off both he and Bobby Knight's emphasis on the mental side of sports says it all.

Understanding this, the LA Dodgers recently hired a sports psychologist from a Toronto consulting firm to assist the beleaguered franchise. The focus of the consultant is to work extensively in the area of performance enhancement, motivation, and injury recovery. During Spring Training in Arizona, players were asked to complete online profiles if they wanted to be assessed.

As franchises understand only one or two games may separate a pennant race, General Managers and Coaches are looking to many things to gain an edge. "When a team has $100 to $150 million invested into its players, hiring a psychologist makes sense," University of Missouri associate professor, Mike Stadler, commented. "It's like the Dodgers hired another coach."

It's great that teams are understanding more and more the importance of addressing the mental side of sports. Squeezing the most potential out of every player with the use of sports psychology. But after optimizing and fine tuning these thoroughbreds to perform at their peak performance, what happens when those playing days are done. How does an athlete convert this enhanced way of thinking back into normal, everyday life? The REAL WORLD, so to speak.

I believe I have the key. Converting this peak athletic performance into peak post-athletic performance is essential to success in a professional athlete's next phase of their life. My SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION PLAN FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES does exactly that....setting up athletes for as much success out of the stadium of sports as they had while in it.

You can find out more at: www.fromglorydays.com

WANTED: Good Character & Intelligence

Over the recent years, many public schools have placed more emphasis on Character Education and the standardized testing of its students. It appears the NFL is taking a page from its review of potential athletes from this very same premise.

As NFL teams prepared for this week's draft it was more than the individual and group workouts at combines, it was more than agility drills and strength testing, and it was more than watching hundreds of hours of film on a potential draftee. Prospective NFL draft choices were actually given a "general intelligence" test as well as put through background checks by NFL security, many of whom are former FBI agents, searching for issues of character flaws (ie, dishonesty, past drug use, criminal activity, etc.). A league who is realizing by the day that image is everything is placing a new chapter in its recruitment stratgies.

Arguably, a player's intelligence can indicate anything potentially problematic when learning an elaborate NFL playbook, which require a large substance of reading, comprehension skills, and understanding that can indicate the potential coachability of a prospect. In addition, sound character can potentially indicate whether a franchise may need to spend as much time dealing with the off the field antics of a prospect and much as on the field. Character and intelligence is being so serious that some players have actually lost ground in their draft positions.

While I am concerned for the potential racial and cultural biases on standardized testing, I applaud the NFL for progressively looking at ways to improve their image by incorporating intelligence testing and character background checks. It's just another item that supports my view of today's professional athletics. They need to be more than simply a thoroughbred specimen adorned with an uniform. Today's professional athlete must be more intelligent, of sound character, and more sophisticated than ever before. And most importantly, they need to understand life as a professional athlete is only temporary.

Remember my creedo...."100% OF PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION!"

You can find out more about me, my book, and my transition services at:
www.fromglorydays.com

The Sequel

As the writer of this blog I'm going to take an executive privilege and veer away from the normal weekly focus of this article and answer a question asked more and more of me...what is your next book? I'm hearing this so much that I decided to actually use this blog as the platform to answer this infamous question.

With a bestselling book under my belt (FROM GLORY DAYS - Successful Transitions of Professional Detroit Athletes) I'm compelled to continue on a similiar theme and yet broaden the perspective. I could go on and on with the rationale of my next title, but I'd rather save the creative ink for between the covers...so here it is.

My next book will be about transitions. Specifically, how to successfully face life's diversities and changes head-on. Drawing parallels from my last book, as well as delving further into the research of change and human nature, my next book will help people not simply acknowledge any diversity in their lives, but embrace it and allow the empowering action of variety to catapult them to a new and purposed life.

I could gladly go on and on, but as previously mentioned, I 'd like to save my creative juices for between the covers. So look for my next title relatively soon, that is soon in a writer's sense. FROM GLORY DAYS took me three years to write from start to finish, but don't expect such a lengthy time frame this time.

Stay tuned.....

In the meantime, you can find out more about me and my current book at:
www.fromglorydays.com

Letting Go

I read an article this week about retired NFL quarterback, Brett Favre, and his consideration of not retiring. This struck a chord with me. While Favre has not technically retired or submitted his retirement paperwork, his grand announcement of retirement a few weeks back after 17 years of grueling NFL play drew attention throughout the whole sports community, which leads me to the following discussion.

Sometimes I'm viewed as the Grim-Reaper of professional athletics because of the focus of my expertise....the transition of professional athletes after their final playing days. Seeing me is a reminder of a certain death in a career. While I can totally understand this way of thinking I must precede by saying what I truly desire for every professional athletes is..."PLAY AS LONG AS YOU CAN!" Whatever it takes; knowing the right person, extra long/hard workouts, crafty negotiating on your agent's part, whatever...PLAY, PLAY, PLAY. But at some point you must come to grips with the reality of the fact: 100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION. This is an undeniable truth.

This leads me to the million dollar question. So when should an athlete let go or give up on the chance of continuing their professional career? Many pro athletes have walked away only to later make an unsuccessful attempt to come back. Many athletes are told to walk away in the form of an injury or release. At what point does an athlete, who has been inundated and en grained with a tenacious spirit of NEVER GIVE UP actually give up? In my opinion, this is no-doubt the most difficult part of a professional athlete's transition from sports and the very first step that must occur in order to answer this question is getting through any denial. Denial that "I can still play," denial that "I will get picked up," denial that "I miss the game and want to make a come back two years after I initially retired."

In my SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION PLAN FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES the "L" in my PLAN acronym of R.U.L.E.S. is LET GO. Letting Go oftentimes takes years to truly accomplish. I use the example of Detroit Pistons' announcer and former NBA player, Greg Kelser. For many years Greg needed to spend time in a gym, or play in organized AAU tournaments during his first years out of the NBA, especially after broadcasting basketball games. Not that he didn't do his job or do it well, but after broadcasting a game Greg found those competitive juices flowing, often thinking "I should still be out there playing." Over time, Greg finally was able to totally let go of this feeling, only to move even further into the next phase of his career and life.

There is a lesson to be learned from Greg Kelser and all of the athletes that have ultimately LET GO of those Glory Days and moved on to the next phase of their lives. So whether Brett Favre decides to not retire or not. Whether all of the other pro athletes that have retired or been cut only to try and make a come back, try to make a come back...understand this...no matter when or how it happens, know that Letting Go MUST happen in order for a professional athlete to truly find success again in that next phase.

You can find out more about me, my R.U.L.E.S. and my bestselling book at: www.fromglorydays.com

Hip-Hip Hooray for the NFLPA

The decision to play professional football probably was not a hard one, but what to do after those glory days are over probably is. After many years of justified and unjustified criticism for not taking care of its own the NFL Players Association is looking to help with that decision via their Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program.

One Hundred and fourteen NFL players completed the three page application and took this program this winter. The courses are intense, last four days, and could cost thousands of dollars, but players get reimbursed upon completion.

Since its advent in 2005, the Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program has become a handful of programs the NFL and players union has put into place to help players adapt to life after the final horn has sounded. Newly elected NFLPA President, Kevin Mawae, wants to not only focus on past players but the young, current ones, as well. "Educating the young guys...," he said, "...and the older guys (in order) to get them to understand how important it is that we continue to educate the young guys."

100% of Professional Athletes Ultimately Experience Job Termination. Out of those players and according to NFL stats:

- 25% are bankrupt within their first year out
-50% are divorced within their first year out
-75% are either bankrupt or divorced within their first five years out

Hats off to President Mawae and the NFLPA for finally recognizing that there is an issue and acting proactively. Let's hope programs like the Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program and attitudes like Kevin Mawae's continue for the betterment of professional athletes as they transition back into normal, everyday lives.

You can find out more about me and my book at: www.fromglorydays.com

From Parquet to Politics

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! Twelve year NBA veteran running for Mayor!

Now there's a headline you don't see everyday, but for former Phoenix Suns, Kevin Johnson, that headline has come true. Kevin has traded in his notoriety on the parquet (hardwood) for a shot at politics, declaring his entrance into the Sacramento mayoral race approximately ten days ago.

Johnson, a Sacramento native and current landowner/developer in the area, put his decision for running in pretty simple terms. "I came to the unequivocal decision that we need a change in this city, and we need a change now," he told a local reporter. "Right now, people see our government as nonresponsive, tired, uninspired, and bureaucratic," he added.

Kevin Johnson has been anything but uninspired and non-responsive since his retirement from the NBA in 2000, Johnson has been back in the Sacramento area focusing on improving neighborhoods and even developing an organization called, St. HOPE, which is a non-profit started by Johnson that runs Sacramento Charter High School.

Since running the team's offenses as a point-guard for the Suns, I'm uncertain if Kevin Johnson ever had intent of running for a mayoral race after his departure from the NBA. But I am certain of this....Johnson has demonstrated one of the key R.U.L.E.S. of my Successful Transition Plan for Professional Athletes....REFOCUSING!

Refocusing is an imperative aspect of a professional athletes' successful transition, and the best way to refocus is to re-evaluate and set new goals. These news goals help establish a new sense of purpose, something intrumental during the process of losing the "athlete-identity" and re-establishing this renewed purpose for the professional athlete.

Whether Kevin Johnson is actually able to fully make that transition from parquet to politics will yet to be determined by the voters of Sacramento, California. But he has already won my vote for being a model former professional athlete, and demonstrating how to Refocus the peak performance principles he once applied into his athletic craft back into normal, everyday life. I hope he does win, simply because of that.

To find out more about me, my book, and my transition services for professional athletes please go to: www.fromglorydays.com

I'm Back!

For many former professional athletes, these two words can be the sweetest words whispered (and often-time well announced)...I'm back!

For veteran NBA forward, Chris Webber, those words became a reality this week. Reportedly signing a veteran league minimum $1.2 million contract, Webber will once-again don a jersey of his previous Golden State team. Ironically, it was Head Coach Don Nelson who masterminded the recent acquirement, 13 seasons after he masterminded a trade of the five time NBA All-Star to Washington in the fall of 1994.

Webber joins a list of NBA notables who have recently attempted to lace up their sneakers and hit the hardwood for a price. Alan Houston, Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, the others have fallen short of their goal. Not so Webber....I'm back!

So what causes athletes of various professional sports to attempt to relace those sneakers, cleats, and skates? What draws them back to their glory days? I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer on this topic, but I bet we could narrow it down. Sometimes it's the money, sometimes it's the fame, sometimes it's because that's all they know...it's their identity, for the majority of your life, and it's scary as heck to be forced to lose that particular identity (as an athlete).

Imagine any us, lifted to the pinnacle of our career only to ultimately depart (perhaps on our own terms, perhaps not), and later given the opportunity to do, once-again, that for which we so loved (and for a decent wage). You'd be crazy to turn the opportunity down! So I say, way-to-go Chris. Whether he gets booed in Oracle Arena (like after he left in 1994) or not, Webber is able to say those two words that many, if not all, retired professional athletes would love to announce....I'm Back!

Whether Webber's return is for five games, five months, or five years, don't forget....100% of ALL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION! (perhaps again and again). I sure hope he has a PLAN for when he's ultimately done. If not, Chris, give me a call!

Please go to our website to find out more about me and my book:
www.fromglorydays.com