And I realized he wasn’t the only great athlete at the pinnacle of their profession who made such a sacrifice. Think about it. The singleminded purpose, the obsession to be the best that drives guys like Brady, Jordan, Woods, Tyson and Bonds invariably costs these superachievers something else – and it’s usually in their personal lives. MJ admits his first marriage broke up in large part because he was absent and focused on winning and on satisfying his own needs, which included alleged extramarital affairs. Ditto Tiger Woods. Need I remind all who read this column of his supposed encounters with women from all walks of life just because he was the best – and because he could. Mike Tyson self-destructed and nearly killed himself because he overindulged in all sorts of excessive behaviors. Barry Bonds is the all-time home run king, but his name is vilified, due in large part to of a widespread belief that he used steroids to achieve his immortality (ironically, Bonds was already a superstar before the alleged usage began).
Some like Wayne Gretzky avoid the trap, but they are a rare breed.
The moral of this story?
There really is none. Except to say that to climb these highest of mountains, be it in sports, politics or business, it usually requires such maniacal focus that one invariably sheds some things he or she loves along the way. Is it fair? Probably not. But it is reality. It’s their reality. And we still applaud.
If there is a silver lining to all these examples of self-destruction, it’s this: more times than not, these icons of sport find their way toward eventual balance and satisfaction.
Michael Jordan is, by all accounts, happy in his new life with a new wife and young family. Tiger Woods rededicated himself to being a good father first, and a world-class golfer second. It seems to have been a success, as his popularity has never been greater.
Even Mike Tyson found a second act as a movie star and commentator. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you soon learn about a certain famous QB and his new life, and how he’s now happy after making some changes.
I truly hope so, both for him, and – in a way – for us.
