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
