Final Line Change

It's difficult to know what former Detroit Red Wing Shawn Burr enjoyed more in life.....hockey or hilarity. Coaches, teammates, friends, and family will vouche that he was good at both; often ripping one-liners to anyone that would listen during his 16 seasons of professional hockey. There was nothing funny about the news I received late last night.....Shawn Burr is dead at the age of 47. Not necessarily known for possessing the body of a greek god and often ribbing himself about his own weight Shawn once told me, "I'm not blessed with one of the greatest bodies in the world." In fact, he shared that when he first came to training camp the Red Wings wanted him to gain weight and gave him protein shakes and told him to mix it with ice cream. "It created a monster and I've gained five pounds ever since," he joked. Despite his less-than-beach-body-physique Shawn was know for his physical play as his helped the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup Finals after a 28 year draught since the club's last Finals appearance. Many years later, while Shawn and I had a signing appearance together at the Gibraltar Trade Center Sports Card Show, it became clear early-on that fans still appreciate his impact on Red Wing hockey. Despite Shawn's success in professional hockey and subsequent post-athletic career as a financial advisor for Smith Barney, he still found time in his busy schedule to give back to the community through numerous appearances with the Red Wing Alumni Association and other charitable events. Shawn's triumph over his serious diagnosis of Leukemia in 2011 proved he was still a champion but no one would have guessed that two years later, while in remission of this disease, he would have an unfortunate fall that would lead to his passing. During a 2007 interview for my book, "FROM GLORY DAYS - Successful Transitions of Professional Detroit Athletes," Shawn told me, "I kind of knew my days in Detroit were numbered." At 47 years of age, little did we know that those days would numbered this low. RIP - Shawn Burr www.fromglorydays.com

Michael Jordan now 50 years old?

Yes, believe it or not the mega-sports icon Michael Jordan turns 50 years of age on February 17th, and WOW has he accomplished much in those fifty years. The infamous tongue, the shaved head before it's time, the iconic 'Jumpman' Logo, Air Jordan tennis shoes, Space Jam the movie, an NCAA Championship, NBA Rookie of the Year, six NBA Championships, five regular season NBA MVP Awards, six NBA Finals MVP Awards, NBA team owner, NBA Hall of Fame, a stint at professional baseball, a stint at professional golf, and the long list goes on. Now ten years since his third (and final) retirement from professional basketball, no other American athlete has come close to matching the cultural impact this man has had on sports. His success became synonymous with sports altogether and his retirement/unretirement only proved that even the most legendary and iconic athlete has difficulty walking away from the game. Despite Michael Jordan's monumental fame, fortune, and success on and off the court, his ability to transition into the next phase of his life has been marred with divorce, gambling scandals, foreclosure, and bankruptcy, which goes to show that even the best of us struggles with this transition. For many years he has brought people on their feet, caused millions to cheer his name, and become an icon for all sports. Now at 50 years old we can only hope he experiences a fraction of that fame and success for his remaining years. You can find out more about me, my best-selling book, my TV show, and services at: www.kurtdavid.com

SUPER What-Now?

No sports fan is able to ignore the existence of our arguably biggest sporting event of the year....THE SUPER BOWL.

But when the six hour pregame hype is over, the last half-time song has been sung, and the final pricey commercial has been aired what happens to the 106 warriors on the field who have just experienced the most intense sporting experience of their lives? Fifty-three privileged men on each roster stand where others can only envy. But when the smoke of the fireworks clear, the final horn has sounded, and the champion is crowned what happens to these select NFL players?

Unfortunately for many, it will be their final competition. Who truly knows what exact percent of Super Bowl players face job termination proceeding this event year in and year out, but there are some stats that are worth paying attention to.

For instance, one statistic indicates 25% of NFL players are bankrupt within their first year out. Another states 50% of divorces occur within the first year after an NFL player's retirement. Some say 78% of NFL players are either divorced, bankrupt, or unemployed two years after departing from the game.

One of the biggest misconceptions for pro football fans is thinking everyone plays 10 to 15 years and makes millions of dollars. Not so, says the reality of an NFL longevity of under 4 years. In addition, many league minimums are paid out and it is only the exceptional athlete who plays for 15 years and makes the millions and millions of dollar we read about.

It's estimated that 320 NFL players must annually face the cold, hard reality of permanent job termination from pro sports, which includes a loss of status, lack of purpose, lack of direction, and needless to say a huge income loss. How would you feel if I told you, you were going to lose 90% of your income for the rest of your life? I don't care how much money you make, losing 90% of your income is a major lifestyle change, no matter how much you started with. Most NFL players are far from being set for the rest of their lives and our society is not set-up to handle those 35 year old retirees who are.

So what is a former Super Bowl athlete to do? Well, perhaps keep working out and spending a significant amount of money attempting to get back into the game for a couple of years or...perhaps find a way to channel the same wherewithal they applied as a pro athlete into the next phase of their lives.

Imagine the focus, the drive, the self-discipline, the ability to work together with others for a common cause all channeled into a new phase, a new focus, a new life. Exciting isn't it?

Imagine, if pro athletes apply the same mental, physical, and emotional energy they applied during pro sports, into the betterment of our society.....this world would be a much better place.

Some have done this and others eventually will.

So whether you've played in a Super Bowl or not remember one thing holds true....."100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION."

Let's hope they're ready.

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

FROM FAME TO FORTUNE

Competing in a pressurized environment that’s reminiscent of his playing days and the lure of big paychecks, NBA star David Robinnson now sees finance as a natural second career. Having acquired two NBA championships, one MVP award, 10 All-Star appearances, and named to the National Basketball Association's 50 greatest players of all time, the 7'1" tall David Robinson now heads Admiral Capital. In 2008, Robinson teamed with former Goldman Sachs executive, Daniel Bassichis, to launch the private equity firm which looks to earn profits while generating a positive social impact along the way. Currently, the Admiral Capital Group oversees $50 million in real estate assets. It appears David Robinson has overcome the sobering exit statistics of professional athletes and done well. I just wish more could follow in his large footsteps.