To Compete or Not To Compete

We make numerous decisions based on Shakespeare’s infamous quote, “To be or not to be.” Well, there are many star athletes that have this same dilemma when they are past their prime on whether to continue or not. There has been Michael Jordan, who returned for a less than stellar stint with the Washington Wizards. George Foreman put a hold on selling his self-named kitchen grill to come back and box in his late 40’s and 50's. In addition, Roger Clemens, a multiple Cy Young Award winner, came back to the Yankees for a second stint and was just a shell of his former self. Last but not least, the most recent addition to this club is Lance Armstrong, one of the world’s most recognizable athletes, who is making headlines this week while returning to cycling after a couple year hiatus. What makes these onetime elite athletes come back?

In all these instances, money is not an object, but something else drives them beyond reasonable logic to come back. With athletes, the competitive edge that has driven them to be the best in their respective sports can't be turned off after their illustrious careers are over. Nothing they do beyond their sports career can quench that hunger and desire for competitive glory. I am not bashing them or their actions, but it is something not easily understood because a retired CEO living a life of luxury and relaxation wouldn't jump back in to a high stress situation because of a competitive itch.

For Armstrong, he is one of the elite athletes in American history, if not the world, for winning seven straight Tour de France's after beating cancer. Once he came and conquered the cycling world, he decided to become a marathoner and finished the Boston Marathon under three hours, which is phenomenal for a rookie. Once again, this was not enough and after an extended absence and has decided to return to cycling in an attempt to reclaim his Tour de France title. Like Jordan, Foreman, and Clemens, his brief return has proved to be more negative than anything. He finished near the back in his first race, broke his collar bone in another race, and may be ineligible for the 2009 Tour de France due to a questionable drug test. This has provided an eyesore on what was a pristine career for an exceptional man. Armstrong wants the nation to "LiveStrong," but needs to look within and realize he no longer belongs. Until next time...

Branden E. Jones