If they played today…
With the return of Brett Favre, it makes me wonder which retired athletes could make a significant contribution to a pro sports team. Brett Favre was wise to skip training camp because all it can do is raise his risk of injury, which at this point would most likely be a career ending injury. The Minnesota Vikings are more than happy to take Favre because his arm is still strong despite his old age. If Brett Favre can come back and lead the Vikings, it makes me wonder which old & retired sports stars can do the same.
Sticking with football, I immediately think of Joe Montana as a possible candidate because of his legacy and his track record in the postseason. If any team of his makes the playoffs, only a fool would bet against him. Though Montana has great postseason experience, it is unlikely that he would last as a starting quarterback for more than 4 NFL games. One big sack will send Joe back to retirement.
Magic Johnson can still play good basketball. He may be a bit overweight, but he does not have to play point guard. Magic is a natural basketball talent and he can play about any position on the floor and hold his own. With his passing and playmaking ability, he can be like Sabonis and contribute to an NBA today. His hook shot allows him to play a forward position from the block. On defense, teams can play zone so Magic does not have to chase young players all over the court. He can do the same as Shaq and just stand in the middle of the key without having to move much.
Tiki Barber is a retired guy who can still play well in the NFL today. Tiki appeared to be getting better with age without any signs of injury or slowing down. Tiki’s hands got better in regards to receiving passes and with fumbles. Tiki retired before his body suffered from wear and tear. He has stayed in good shape since retiring unlike Joe Dumars.
Marvin Harrison would make the list if he officially announced his retirement. He has not made that announcement because he knows he can still play so he is waiting to see if there is a situation he likes. Marvin is currently a free agent and I believe he has the ability to play for two seasons at a mediocre level, similar to the average #2 receiver (60 catches).
These are the main candidates I would consider bringing out of retirement to help my team win a championship. If Brett Favre can come out of retirement to lead the Vikings to the playoffs, then these players should also be sought after because they have the experience and the ability to win and contribute. The future of all middle-aged has-beens now rests on the shoulders of Brett Favre…
