It’s official: Terrell Owens is now on the list of athletes who played way past their prime. It’s sad to witness our beloved stars not know when to just give up. Terrell Owens, coming off a torn ACL injury and desperate for work, proved just that by joining the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League. In honor of his new job, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at 10 athletes who were also unaware of when their time was up. As T.O. would say, “Get your popcorn ready,” (it’s apparently national popcorn day).
10. Dikembe Mutombo
Mutombo’s trademark finger wave after every blocked shot, and trust me there were many of them, was by far one of the most entertaining aspects of any basketball game. But 18 seasons of watching him wag his finger over and over again just became downright annoying. In the end, the most dominant defensive shot blocker became a joke by posting pedestrian numbers and jumping from team to team.
9. Junior Seau
After rotting away on the New England bench until the age of 40, Junior should have at least taken the name Senior Seau for being the oldest player on his team by far. A 12-time Pro-Bowler and – time All-Pro NFL Linebacker, this guy was actually really good. Too bad you and I probably don’t remember when this was.
8. Chris Chelios
By no means am I an expert in Hockey, and I never will be. Here is what I do know: being 48-years-old and still playing in the NHL after 26 seasons means you are an old geezer. Luckily Chelios retired in 2010 which means he is due for his AARP card any day now.
7. Shaquille O’Neal
Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics. That was three teams too many, and now we get the pleasure of not understanding anything he says for TNT. By the way, let’s collectively thank Shaq for Kazaam. Where would we be without his great acting abilities?
6. Evander Holyfield
Holyfield most famously lost an ear, and more recently lost his pride by not knowing when to take off the gloves. Speaking of pride, Holyfield was on Dancing with the Stars. That really helps maintain one’s credibility. A four-time heavyweight champion who defeated the likes of George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson; Holyfield had more comebacks than John Travolta. Enough Evander – no more comeback fights.
5. Ric Flair
The Nature Boy debuted as a professional wrestler in 1972 and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). It’s 2012, and for our non-math majors out there, that’s 40 years of professional wrestling. Seriously this is absurd, and somebody needs to put an end to the madness.
4. Emmitt Smith
The Hall of Famer and NFL’s all time running leader is the epitome of greatness. Too bad he didn’t get the memo once the Dallas Cowboys released him that he was no longer anywhere close to great. Emmitt Smith in a Cardinals uniform was as weird as watching…
3. Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice is unequivocally the best and classiest wide receiver to ever play in the NFL. Unfortunately, he should have never put on a green uniform for the Seattle Seahawks. Maybe Seattle, with all of its rain, is a nice place for athletes to retire (just ask Patrick Ewing, who was close to making the top ten).
2. Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson played baseball for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. Hey Rickey, you were once so fine and you once blew my mind but that was a long time ago (to the tune of “Hey Mickey”…sorry). Henderson apparently never heard the word “STOP” before. Whether it was stealing bases or constantly trying to play the game he loved, somebody should have forced Ricky to STOP running and start reclining on a leather sofa.
1. Brett Favre
Do I really need to write anything for this one? If you could not predict Favre would be atop of this list, then you never watched Sports Center during an NFL offseason. Favre’s name is still mentioned in rumors to make a return. Enough said.
