Having a clear cut retirement date can be hard, especially for elite and professional athletes. Whether it’s due to injury or simply wanting to take on new challenges, many decide to “un-retire” and return to their sport after a break. Here are four athletes who thought they were ready to throw in the towel but ended up coming back better than ever.
iiTzTimmy, a 2023 ALGS champion and one of the most popular Apex players of all time, announced his retirement from competitive Apex Legends on July 9. But the esports star won’t be leaving altogether, as he will continue to create online content.
The Washington Commanders have announced that former NFL wide receiver Art Monk will get his number retired on November 2. Monk is the sixth player in franchise history to receive the honor. The former New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks player played 14 seasons in the NFL, racking up 6,269 receiving yards and a total of 74 touchdowns.
A study by Dr Cavallerio, a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, interviewed former female gymnasts about their experiences post-retirement. She found that athletes’ narratives often follow three themes: Entangled, Going forward, and Making sense. Those in the entangled category struggled to identify with anything outside of their sport, which has been their main focus for years. It’s a concern that should be addressed by the sport sector to help ensure athletes are prepared for retirement and have the support they need to make the transition.