When the thought of retirement came up recently for my NFL teammates, I had to pause and take a step back. I mean, most of us had already been in the league for more than a decade. What would it be like, leaving the game behind? Sure, we had talked a lot about it over the years but it wasn’t until one of us actually retired that it dawned on me that our time on the field was drawing to a close. That’s when the mixed feelings started to creep in.
On one hand, it was so exciting to have a teammate able to move on and pursue other dreams. That feeling of pride in another’s journey was also coupled with a slight twinge of envy. I saw in his eyes that he was practically overflowing with excitement, and not just for himself either. He was happy about the prospect of not just hanging up his cleats, but starting something new. It was emotional and almost inspiring. It made me realize that while the game was ending, there was still so much to look forward to and continue on in life.
At the same time, I was also very sad as I thought about the empty space he was leaving in the locker room and on the field. I realized that this wasn’t just a retirement, but an irrevocable alteration of the team as a whole. It was at that moment that I could feel the finality and absoluteness of the decision. Without a doubt, his absence would be greatly felt.
The goodbyes were pretty tough all around. We all wished him well and gathered together to send him off, exchanging hugs and handshakes while expressing our appreciation for the time we had been able to spend together on the field. We each knew that NFL retention isn’t promised, and that we should enjoy each day we have currently in the league.
Afterwards, the joy and motivation he had inspired us with seemed to create a renewed sense of purpose in the room. Now, it wasn’t so much the idea of continuing to play in the NFL that was on everyone’s mind, but instead the idea of continuing to strive and grow in other ways.
It had become abundantly clear that you don’t have to stop learning, dreaming, growing, and achieving just because you’re no longer playing in a certain game. That spark of motivation was the “aha” moment that led us to understand that the real game was now about to begin, and that with it, we should anticipate a bright future full of new challenges and experiences.