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With the legendary former NFL coach Bill Belichick is officially bouncing to North Carolina and college rankings – just like 17 other former NFL coaches – that got me thinking.
Belichick is 72. He has eight Super Bowl rings. He really has nothing else to achieve as a football coach. He should be enjoying a well-deserved retirement in solitude somewhere instead of coaching young adults and hitting the recruiting trail in his eighth decade of life. It’s a bit weird that he still wants to keep doing this, to be honest.
But Belichick isn’t the only iconic sports figure who refused to go away and ignored all the signs. He’s not the only one who kept trying to prolong what was left of their coaching or playing careers, even when it was clear they were probably just bored and didn’t know what to do with themselves.
Below is a list of all-time great sports figures who didn’t know when to hang it up. My criteria is mostly centered around when I think they should have retired (and their tenure is defined as such). For example, they could be on a new team, looking for a second wind and enjoying new success for a while. But then they really had to stop after it became clear that the short-lived fame was temporary. They should have retired at the top – or when they were much closer to quality, consistent performance – when they had the chance. Others were away from their respective game or league for a while, but inexplicably returned because someone managed to convince them to have their very own “Last Dance”.
Spoiler alert: it never worked out.
Let’s take a look at a few Belichick-like people in sports who really should have known when to fold them. (whispers) Or who should probably start planning for retirement right now.
Note: the list is not a ranking and is in no particular order.
1
Tom Brady
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: New England Patriots (2000-2019)
They spent their welcome with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021-2022)
2
Michael Jordan
USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Chicago Bulls (1984-1993, 1995-1998)
They spent their welcome with: Washington Wizards (2001-2003)
3
Brett Favre
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
Best known for: Green Bay Packers (1992-2007)
They spent their welcome with: New York Jets (2008), Minnesota Vikings (2009-2010)
4
Jerry Rice
Dilip Vishwanat-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: San Francisco 49ers (1985-2000)
They spent their welcome with: Seattle Seahawks (2004)
5
Emmitt Smith
Craig Melvin-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002)
They spent their welcome with: Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004)
6
Hakeem Olajuwon
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Houston Rockets (1984-2001)
They spent their welcome with: Toronto Raptors (2001-2002)
7
Shaquille O’Neal
Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE
Best known for: Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004)
They spent their welcome with: Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010), Boston Celtics (2010-2011)
8
LeBron James
Images by Brett Davies-Iman
Best known for: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010, 2014-2018)
They spent their welcome with: Los Angeles Lakers (2023-present)
9
Johnny Unitas
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Baltimore Colts (1956-1972)
They spent their welcome with: San Diego Chargers (1973)
10
Willie Mays
Credit: Birmingham Public Library
Best known for: New York Mets (1972-1973)
They spent their welcome with: New York Mets (1972-1973)
11
Mickey Mantle
Ed Hill-USA TODAY NETWORK
Best known for: New York Yankees (1951-1968)
They spent their welcome with: New York Yankees (1965-1968)
12
Ricky Henderson
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Oakland Athletics (1979-1984, 1989-1993, 1994-1995, 1998)
They spent their welcome with: Seattle Mariners (2000), San Diego Padres (2001), Boston Red Sox (2002), Los Angeles Dodgers (2003)
13
Mike Holmgren
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Green Bay Packers (1992-1998)
They spent their welcome with: Cleveland Browns (2010-2012)
14
Doc Rivers
Images by Benny Sieu-Imagn
Best known for: Boston Celtics (2004-2013)
They spent their welcome with: Milwaukee Bucks (2024-present)
15
George Carl
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Seattle SuperSonics (1992-1998)
They spent their welcome with: Sacramento Kings (2015-2016)
16
Ken Griffey Jr
Tom Fluge-US PRESSWIRE
Best known for: Seattle Mariners (1989-1999)
They spent their welcome with: Chicago White Sox (2008), Seattle Mariners (2009-2010)
17
Cristiano Ronaldo
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Best known for: Manchester United (2003-2009)
They spent their welcome with: Portugal Men’s National Team (2018–present)
18
Jon Gruden
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-2008)
They spent their welcome with: Las Vegas Raiders (2018-2021)
19
Jaromir Jagr
Sergey Belsky-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Pittsburgh Penguins (1990-2001)
They spent their welcome with: Calgary Flames (2017-2018)
20
Aaron Rodgers
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Best known for: Green Bay Packers (2005-2022)
They spent their welcome with: New York Jets (2023-present)
21
Mike Ditka
Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images
Best known for: Chicago Bears (1982-1992)
They spent their welcome with: New Orleans Saints (1997-1999)
22
Mike Shanahan
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Denver Broncos (1995-2008)
They spent their welcome with: Washington Commanders (2010-2013)
23
Doug Collins
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Best known for: Chicago Bulls (1986-1989)
They spent their welcome with: Philadelphia 76ers (2010-2013)
24
Brett Hull
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: St. Louis Blues (1987-1998)
They spent their welcome with: Phoenix Coyotes (2005-2006)
25
Pat Riley
Michael Reeves/Getty Images
Best known for: Los Angeles Lakers (1981-1990)
They spent their welcome with: Miami Heat (2020-present)
26
Chuck Daly
USA TODAY Sports
Best known for: Detroit Pistons (1983-1992)
They spent their welcome with: Orlando Magic (1997-1999)
