At the risk of sounding a bit overdramatic, professional athletes can seem like real-life superheroes. They are, after all, rich, famous and capable of all sorts of incredible feats of speed and strength. But, beneath that impressive facade, there are real human beings.
During the 2023 NFL season, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made headlines by admitting that he thinks about retirement more often than anyone might imagine. And while you could talk that up to his unique situation—when simultaneously playing a sport based on hitting and also dating a global superstar, it could be easy to think of an even more luxurious future—it seems like he’s not completely alone.
Stephen Curry apparently thinks about the end of his playing career, too. That might sound like bad news for Golden State Warriors fans, but it really serves to underscore the fundamental humanity at play.
Let’s roll the tape.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors at All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The guard has admitted to thinking about how long he’d like to play… Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors at All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The guard has admitted to thinking about how long he’d like to play basketball. More Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Curry Thinks About How Long He’ll Play ‘All the Time’
For the most part, retirement looms as an unpleasant specter in the background of pro sports. For players, it means realizing that you can no longer perform at the top level. For teams and fans, it requires turning the page on someone who was (potentially) responsible for some of your club’s greatest moments. For the most part, no one wants to admit it’s a possibility until the moment arrives.
But, if we take him at his word, that’s not the case for Steph Curry.
During the NBA All-Star break, there was plenty of focus on LeBron James, his longevity and what his future could hold. In light of that conversation, the Warriors sharpshooter was asked if he had given any thought to how long he’d like to play.
The clip of Steph talking about not being “anywhere close” to the end, when I asked if he’s considered how long he’ll play pic.twitter.com/iT2Pg2HCtx — Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 19, 2024
“Think about it all the time,” he admitted. “But the thoughts stop because you gotta get ready for the next game and there’s a routine and a cycle that goes, that you embrace the now. And eventually, you’ll get to a point where you’ll wake up and whatever your body’s telling you, whatever your mind’s telling you, it’s time.”
No one used the word “retirement,” but considering how long you’ll play involves hanging up your sneakers and moving on. But lest Golden State fans start to panic, there was one ultimate disclaimer.
“But I don’t think I’m anywhere close to that,” Curry added.
Kelce and Curry Aren’t Playing Like They’re Distracted
In complete fairness to both parties, the two athletes in question did phrase things slightly differently. Curry was asked if he had considered how long he’d like to play, while Kelce noted the lingering pain from previous injuries and admitted that he thinks about retirement “more than anyone could ever imagine.”
It’s understandable why Chiefs fans latched onto their tight end’s comments. Beyond the fact that No. 87 is a key part of the club’s current success (not to mention that his unique skillset will make him virtually impossible to replace), but we’ve grown used to the idea of leaving it all on the field. Sitting in the stands, we’d give anything to take part in our favorite team’s victory; it’s jarring to think that those on the field aren’t equally invested.
That’s how we end up in situations where we wonder about players being distracted or, in extreme situations, saying they shouldn’t be living their lives away from the team facility.
Zach Wilson is about to play the most important football games of his career and rather than stay back and grind in NJ he took his gf back home to Utah to go apple picking. Disgrace pic.twitter.com/wi977ZaiSZ — Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) October 26, 2023
But Kelce and Curry provide valuable counterpoints. Not only are they both willing to admit they think about the future, but both men also continue to perform like stars. The former man had a slow season by his standards, but stepped up in the postseason and earned another Lombardi Trophy. The latter, despite the Warriors’ larger issues, has continued to be one of the game’s top talents.
And ultimately, that should buy them some benefit of the doubt and prove that general humanity/life outside of sports isn’t a universal detriment to professional performance. Will there be some outliers who benefit from a tighter frame of focus? Sure, but everyone shouldn’t be held to the lowest common denominator.
By that same token, can you argue that Kelce and Curry are unique, generational talents who are both skilled and driven enough to think about life beyond sports while taking care of business today?
At the end of the day, though, it’s stars who drive change. Kids everywhere wanted to “be like Mike,” after all, not the role player who came off the bench to play tight defense. And if two of current sports’ top talents are proving that you can have a life beyond sports and still thrive, then that tide could eventually lift all boats.
Pro athletes, for all of their heroics, are people, too. And they should be treated as such.
Steph Curry’s Travis Kelce-Style Quote Reminds Us There’s Life After Sports
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