THE DATING GAMES

WANTED: Emotionally stable woman, drop-dead gorgeous who is secure enough to remain alone as I'm on the road six to eight months out of the year. Must possess the ability to take care of my beckoned needs and tolerate my long work-out hours. Huge financial benefits and potential celebrity status, for at least short-term. Small chance of abuse and infidelity, but larger chance of bankruptcy and divorce (if we actually get married). Please respond by knocking on the door of Room 321 of the Hyatt-Regency in Chicago when I return to my room after midnite this weekend.

Imagine running accross a personal ad like this in a local newspaper. Chances are...at the receiving end of this ad is a professional athlete.

Having just alluded to NBA player, Paul Davis' appearance on Millionaire Matchmaker in my April Blog, the relationships of professional athletes is still fresh on my mind.

With horrific statistics on these relationships and the instability of the home life, especially while exiting pro sports, no wonder dating or being married becomes a huge challenge in itself for pro athletes.

Some statistics indicate:
- 25% of athletes are bankrupt within there first year of exiting pro sports
- 50% of divorces occur within the first year of exiting pro sports
- over 75% of athletes are either divorced or bankrupt within the first five years out

Knowing this, who in their right mind would want to be in a relationship with a professional athlete?

I'd like to tip my hat to the girlfriends and spouses of our pro athletes, especially those that are still together. I've met and spoken with athletes whose relationships have withstood five, ten, even twenty-five years of this described roller-coaster ride, so I know it is possible.

In my opinion, it is the woman behind our gladiators we call professional athletes who keep their homes together. Who navigate the emotional and financial storms that dash many a relationships into the rocks along the way. I truly believe, behind every world-class athlete stands a world-class woman who is the background pillar holding the roof up.

As I continue to work with professional and Olympic athletes while they find the next phase of their lives it is important to acknowledge and recognize the women behind the athlete and the solid emotional stability these represent.

By the way, please do not knock on Room 321's door in Chicago this weekend as I cannot guarantee who'll answer the door.

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

A Tale of Two Big Men

Many college basketball fans might recognize the names of two big men who've transcended to the next level of their careers as professional athletes. Paul Davis and Chris Kaman both experienced success at the collegiate level, enough to find themselves in an NBA jersey, in fact, the same NBA jersey as Kaman was drafted by the LA Clippers in 2003 and Davis in 2006 by the same organization.

Though both players originated from the state of Michigan it might appear one was set up for more success than the other. The 7'0" Chris Kaman competed in high school at Tri-Unity Christian, a Class D level school (the smallest in the state of Michigan). Kaman went on to play three years at Mid-American Conference school, Central Michigan University. The 6'11" Paul Davis competed in high school at Rochester, a Class A level school (the largest in the state) where he received the top honor of all prep players in the state by being named, "Mr. Basketball" his senior year. Davis went on to play at Big Ten Conference basketball powerhouse, Michigan State University and at one point lead the nation in rebounding.

With the top prep honor, solid collegiate career at a high profile basketball school you would think Davis was destined for more success at the NBA level than Kaman. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out that way.

Kaman has just completed his sixth NBA season with the Clippers, averaging double digits in scoring. After a less than stellar two seasons, Davis was released by the Clippers January 2009, only to be seen again a few months later during a less than stellar appearance on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" during which matchmaker host, Patti Stanger, all but ripped him a new one for his lack of personality and "typical NBA mentality."

I've been around enough to discover, no matter the appearance of who may be set up to have the better professional sports career, you never know for sure.

In professional sports there is only one thing that is for sure...."100% of Professional Athletes Ultimately Experience Job Termination."

Find out more at: www.fromglorydays.com

From the Craphouse to Penthouse

Typically in this blog, I'm writing about topics which revolve around transitioning or departing from pro sports, but I've been following a story that reached a pinnacle shortly before this year's Super Bowl last month and I cannot resist telling you more.

It is a story about an NFL running back, who after his fifth season in the league was released pre-season this past year. At this moment, I could easily go into my rant of how, "100% of Professional Athletes Ultimately Experience Job Termination," or how important it is for every pro athlete to have some type of Transition Plan for when their final day comes and they must depart the game they so love, but I'm refraining for now. Refraining long enough to tell you this amazing story of how an athlete was faced with his termination and possible ending of his NFL career. But wait it gets better. Not only was this particular player facing the cold, hard truth of being on the outside wall of an NFL stadium, but cut by the worst team in NFL history.

August 2008, Detroit Lion running back, Sean McHugh, was told he was no longer good enough to remain on their roster. With a young family to support (a 1 year old son at home and one on the way), Sean's one year contracts never provided him the financial cushion that would've made this bad news any easier to swallow. The uncertainty which faces every professional athlete at some point was staring Sean dead-straight into his eyes, but Sean hardly got a chance to flinch. Hearing the news of his release, the Pittsburgh Steelers called that same day and eventually offered him a spot on their roster.

For those of you who follow football, you may know the rest of the story. Rather than finishing 0-16, as the Detroit Lions unfortunately did this past season, Sean's Steelers finished 12-4 and eventually won the Super Bowl. Sean himself stated, "It's been crazy. Four months ago you're sitting at home, just cut from the Detroit Lions, thinking life's over, and now you're playing in the Super Bowl." To sweeten the pot, Sean recently signed a three-year deal worth $2.57 million with a reported $390,000 signing bonus. From the Crap house to the Penthouse.

I bet Sean McHugh's not too upset he was cut by the Lions now...

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

BENCH FAVRE?

NFL quarterback, Brett Favre, has added great fodder for my BLOG and media appearances over these past six months. Twice I've been able to write about him during this time and with recent comments made by NY Jets running back, Thomas Jones, I'm getting the opportunity to write about him again.

I certainly do not believe in meddling in other people's business, but I must admit I was surprised when Brett announced his desire to "unretire" and sign with the Jets. Believe me, I understand NOT wanting to leave the game he so loved and excelled at for 18 seasons. I get that. I just didn't see the benefit of his decision which resulted in many apparent hard feelings with the Packer organization and potential marring of his legacy as a premier NFL quarterback, which is made evident in Jones' comments.

During the recent radio interview, Jones was very outspoken about the team and Favre's mistakes on the field. "If somebody is not playing well, they need to come out of the game," he stated. "You're jeopardizing the whole team because you're having a bad day....So when you get to the wire and somebody is just giving the game up, it's just not fair," he added. "The other day, the three interceptions really hurt us, that's just reality," Jones told the radio station.

The reality is the New York Jets lost four of its last five games and Favre tossed nine interceptions with just two touchdowns during this span. He finished the season with 22 touchdowns and a league-worst 22 interceptions.

What does this do to help Brett Favre's legacy? Absolutely nothing, in fact it mars it, in my opinion.

Again, I am in no position to tell a professional athlete NOT to retire or to "unretire" but I can say this...its imperative for every athlete to have a plan. To develop a new direction and sense of purpose, which makes departing this game a little easier. As a TRANSITION CONSULTANT FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES this is what I do.

I wish Brett Favre nothing but the best, but I have to wonder...if he stayed retired and had a new direction or sense of purpose beyond the gridiron would his life be better. Who knows for sure, but he's provided good thoughtful discussion about retirement.

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

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