Life After Sports

If there’s a life after death, there’s also life after sports.

And the latest series of news that involve some of the most popular athletes haven’t exactly been the type of news that you’d like to teach the youth when talking about taking up a career in sports and what to do upon retiring. The most recent reports about Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather give us a glimpse of what happens to sports idols after their careers are over (or about to end). Hatton, who has been on retirement mode since his loss to Manny Pacquiao, has been reported to have been hooked to illegal drugs and drinking. With the advent of the internet, one doesn’t have to look too far to watch Hatton snort coke. Sad, isn’t it? On the other hand, Mayweather, ever since turning down an offer to fight Pacquiao, was arrested for reportedly beating up or threatening his ex-girlfriend who happens to be the mother of his children. The good news out of London is that Hatton has checked into a rehab center to straighten things out. Mayweather was jailed for a short time before posting bail and being released.

These two examples surely aren’t positive and good examples for role models, but are these the only stories available out there? Do all athletes turn this way when they quit sports? I’d like to believe that these should be considered as exceptions more than the rule. Just take a look at Pacquiao, the person believed to have sent Hatton into retirement and Mayweather into “hiding retirement.” The Pacman is now the Congressman of Sarangani. But that’s not the only thing he’ll be busy with when he retires. Even before he went into politics, the Pacman was already deep into business through his various investments in real estate, retailing, distribution/warehousing and other smaller businesses. He doesn’t even have to get on top of the ring anymore to earn money. He can retire, relax and move on with his political and business career(s). Pacquiao is not only a role model as an athlete, but more importantly for his life after sports. Can we cay the same of other athletes?

It’s crucial for athletes to realize that a career in sports is one of the shortest of professions in the world. You hit your prime in the mid to late 20s, then slowly but surely slow down as you hit your mid 30s. The only exception to this rule would be the likes of golf, bowling, billiard or pool, and the non-physical sports that need a 20-year old mind and body combined. Many don’t even reach that far.

The classic case in point are those college athletes who play for their respective schools in the big collegiate leagues. Not all of them move on to become professionals in sports and often end up idle after college; that’s if they finish their studies at all. Remember those basketball stars of your college days? Where are they now? I’m willing to bet that only a handful went on to become pro athletes. A good example is local collegiate basketball. If you scan the pro players directory, you’ll see that only a few collegiate stars of the CAAA and CESAFI made it to the PBA. Dondon Hontiveros (UC), Proctoy Quinahan (UV), Dale Singson (UV/UST) and Cyrus Baguio (SWU/UST) are top of mind mentions in this category. And how about their counterparts when they were all in college? Some are playing professionally in the Liga Pilipinas or Philippine Basketball League. Others play in the many local tournaments in a simple play-for-pay “talay” set-up. Others are now working with regular 8-to-5 jobs in the private sector. Some are working in banks, hotels and schools. Some have even become part-time coaches for various ballclubs. And others are simply jobless.

College athletes must realize that sports is a very temporary phenomenon and is not an end in itself as a career. In fact, it should be treated as a stepping stone to what should be a more long term career in the professional world outside of playing (as one can’t play forever). Remember Zach Estoesta? You probably don’t. He was a relatively well known player for the USC North juniors team who made it to Ateneo de Manila University on an athletic scholarship. While he never really got to play for Ateneo’s Team A, he managed to earn his degree. I wouldn’t be surprised if he already has a job by now.

There are many other heart-warming stories about ex collegiate athletes who have moved on successfully in life without having to go through the difficult times that other ex-athletes suffer. They all realized that college sports was just a fleeting thing and that there are more important things to do in life.

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Time-out: Happy birthday to Alex Tecson. >>> You can reach me at [email protected].