Michael Jordan now 50 years old?

Yes, believe it or not the mega-sports icon Michael Jordan turns 50 years of age on February 17th, and WOW has he accomplished much in those fifty years. The infamous tongue, the shaved head before it's time, the iconic 'Jumpman' Logo, Air Jordan tennis shoes, Space Jam the movie, an NCAA Championship, NBA Rookie of the Year, six NBA Championships, five regular season NBA MVP Awards, six NBA Finals MVP Awards, NBA team owner, NBA Hall of Fame, a stint at professional baseball, a stint at professional golf, and the long list goes on. Now ten years since his third (and final) retirement from professional basketball, no other American athlete has come close to matching the cultural impact this man has had on sports. His success became synonymous with sports altogether and his retirement/unretirement only proved that even the most legendary and iconic athlete has difficulty walking away from the game. Despite Michael Jordan's monumental fame, fortune, and success on and off the court, his ability to transition into the next phase of his life has been marred with divorce, gambling scandals, foreclosure, and bankruptcy, which goes to show that even the best of us struggles with this transition. For many years he has brought people on their feet, caused millions to cheer his name, and become an icon for all sports. Now at 50 years old we can only hope he experiences a fraction of that fame and success for his remaining years. You can find out more about me, my best-selling book, my TV show, and services at: www.kurtdavid.com

SUPER What-Now?

No sports fan is able to ignore the existence of our arguably biggest sporting event of the year....THE SUPER BOWL.

But when the six hour pregame hype is over, the last half-time song has been sung, and the final pricey commercial has been aired what happens to the 106 warriors on the field who have just experienced the most intense sporting experience of their lives? Fifty-three privileged men on each roster stand where others can only envy. But when the smoke of the fireworks clear, the final horn has sounded, and the champion is crowned what happens to these select NFL players?

Unfortunately for many, it will be their final competition. Who truly knows what exact percent of Super Bowl players face job termination proceeding this event year in and year out, but there are some stats that are worth paying attention to.

For instance, one statistic indicates 25% of NFL players are bankrupt within their first year out. Another states 50% of divorces occur within the first year after an NFL player's retirement. Some say 78% of NFL players are either divorced, bankrupt, or unemployed two years after departing from the game.

One of the biggest misconceptions for pro football fans is thinking everyone plays 10 to 15 years and makes millions of dollars. Not so, says the reality of an NFL longevity of under 4 years. In addition, many league minimums are paid out and it is only the exceptional athlete who plays for 15 years and makes the millions and millions of dollar we read about.

It's estimated that 320 NFL players must annually face the cold, hard reality of permanent job termination from pro sports, which includes a loss of status, lack of purpose, lack of direction, and needless to say a huge income loss. How would you feel if I told you, you were going to lose 90% of your income for the rest of your life? I don't care how much money you make, losing 90% of your income is a major lifestyle change, no matter how much you started with. Most NFL players are far from being set for the rest of their lives and our society is not set-up to handle those 35 year old retirees who are.

So what is a former Super Bowl athlete to do? Well, perhaps keep working out and spending a significant amount of money attempting to get back into the game for a couple of years or...perhaps find a way to channel the same wherewithal they applied as a pro athlete into the next phase of their lives.

Imagine the focus, the drive, the self-discipline, the ability to work together with others for a common cause all channeled into a new phase, a new focus, a new life. Exciting isn't it?

Imagine, if pro athletes apply the same mental, physical, and emotional energy they applied during pro sports, into the betterment of our society.....this world would be a much better place.

Some have done this and others eventually will.

So whether you've played in a Super Bowl or not remember one thing holds true....."100% of PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCE JOB TERMINATION."

Let's hope they're ready.

You can find out more about me, my book, and my services at: www.fromglorydays.com