Sports, A Bridge To Success

   The ability to play sports and actually be good at it, is a blessing. A lot of people, especially in the black community have negative views of our kids being relegated to playing sports and not becoming doctors or lawyers. I'm with them on one thing, I believe we can definately use more skilled individuals in the black commuity and the thing is, sports can be the bridge to these things. 

Sports in particular give people an advantage that many other professions simply do not. That's the ability to get paid well and retire early. Former NFL player Luke Kuechly retired at age 28 after 8 seasons. He has his entire life ahead of him to begin the next phase. Granted, many players do retire early due to health issues, it doesn't have to be this way. For instance, Calvin Johnson could have continued his career but decided to hang it up after 9 seasons at age 31. 

I think it's time that professional athletes really start looking at sports as a bridge to something else instead of that being the end all/be all. Too many athletes are burning through money with the belief that they'll be able to continue playing forever. I'm of the mindset that an athlete shouldn't be focused on business ventures or building a family while playing. Focus can become very difficult to manage while you have to remain dedicated to being the best athlete you can be. Instead, use sports to get scholarships to the best programs that you're able to. And if you're lucky enough to get drafted, use those next 10 years to focus on being the most valuable player that you can be, and then get out while you're still healthy and can begin the next phase of your life, and begin investing in yourself, including a family. 

A man at age 31 hasn't even entered into his prime yet. Many believe these years dont begin until he's reached his mid-late 30's. To retire wealthy before this stage, by itself is an advantage that many of us wish that we can have. So although I do believe sports shouldn't be the only goal our kids should have for their futures, I do believe we shouldn't ignore the advantages that sports create. Let's instead, give our children this understanding of how we can use sports as a bridge to success beyond it.