The Merrill Dubrow Blog

I was reading a story in the sports section the other day and came across a great quote from Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. During the interview he said, "I think the worst thing that athletes can do is play too long." I thought about it for a little while and said to myself that is a big statement from a big guy!
 
Let’s break this down into a few different buckets. Take 30 seconds and try and think of all the reasons that an athlete would play too long.  Here is my list:

• Money
   
• Passion for the game
   
• Have nothing else to do
   
• Love the fame
   
• Chasing a record
   
• Love their coach (ok maybe I am reaching)

I think Dirk is right and I started to think of older players in sports. Am I excited about spending a ton of money and seeing Randy Johnson (44), Jamie Moyer (45), Kenny Rogers (43) and Tim Wakefield (41) pitch?  Randy Johnson is the only one on the list that will make the hall of fame, and even though I love Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox, I am truly not that excited to see him or the other guys pitch.

In basketball, there are only a handful or two of guys who are over 37.  That list includes:  Dikembe Mutombo of the Rockers (41),  Clifford Robinson (41), Gary Payton (39), Darrell Armstrong (39), Dale Davis (38), and Sam Cassell (38). Frankly I don’t think any of those guys excite me but that might not be the question. The real question is who has played too long? Who should have retired when they didn’t? Who should have hung up their cleats before they did?

Here are a few names to consider:

• Gary Sheffield – because of injuries, Gary is a fraction of himself and should ride off into the sunset
   
• Morten Andersen – he kicked until he was 47.  That seems like a very long time to me.
   
• Chris Chelios – Great player, love his energy but he is approaching 47 and he just got injured. Not sure Chris or anyone can compete against guys 20+ years younger in the fierce NHL these days.
   
• Warren Moon – played QB until he was 44. Great player but he had little left to give to the fans and his football team.

I can only imagine that the hardest decision for a pro athlete to make is when to walk away. I would never pretend to know what they are going through, but as a fan we have the right to ask the question since we are paying lots of cash to sit in stadiums.

So I ask you today: which athletes have played too long?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (12) »

For those of you who read the daily sports page or watch ESPN, one thing is for sure–no it’s not a Boston team winning another title although that was a good guess. It is an athlete in some sport getting into trouble. And some of them are getting into lots of trouble.
 
Raise your hand if you are tired of it.  MY HAND IS RAISED real high. We all know by giving young stars lots of money and fame, bad things will happen to some of them. For me the "some of them" is way too many.

• How do we minimize the trouble that athletes get into?
   
• How can we educate them better so athletes know the people they should hang out with and the places they should go?
   
• Where does the responsibility lie?  Their parents?  Their agent?  Their coach?  Their spouse? Their friends?  Is it all of the above?

Clearly I am not famous, don’t have a multimillion dollar a year contract, don’t have an agent or an entourage. Since I don’t run in those circles, I don’t know what is exactly being done…but whatever it is, it isn’t working.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone in sports got suspended.  If I did, I probably could have retired by now.

What is the answer?

• Do we have mandatory classes that athletes need to attend weekly?
   
• As part of a contract, the team that signs the player has a right to insert a chip into the athlete so the team knows where the player is at all times?

I know I am very tired of it.  Yes athletes are paid a lot of money. But from my standpoint they not only have an obligation to their team on the field or court, they have more of an obligation to the team, themselves and their community off the field or court.

• What are your thoughts?
   
• Are you as tired of this as I am?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (20) »

A few months ago when Tiger Woods got hurt I remember hearing a story on TV that some of his sponsors might consider dropping him. I actually thought that was odd and gave it some thought. I realize that companies and athletes have contracts and moral clause language in there that allows the companies to dump the stars and void the contract.  Yes stars can be and have been dropped for a DUI, getting in a bar fight, dealing or using drugs and many other things.
 
My real question today is does it go both ways? Do you think there is language in the contract allowing the star to opt out if the company doesn’t do things the right way?

• What happens if the company files bankruptcy?
   
• What happens if the CEO embezzles money?
   
• What happens if the company comes out with a new product and unfortunately a few people get really sick?

Since I am not a star and don’t run in those circles I really have no idea what goes into those contracts.

Do you have any insight on this?

My gut is that years ago contracts were probably one-sided and only protected the company but today I am not sure.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (4) »