Source: KCAL News
In her book, Age Is Just A Number, Dara Torres expresses the thought that one can still compete on a highly competitive level well past what most people consider an athlete to be past his prime. Depending upon the sport, prime for an athlete ranges from 25 to 30 years old.
However, Torres shattered that notion when she won two silver medals in the 2008 Olympics in swimming. She was 41. And there are many more athletes that are competing successfully past their prime nowadays despite many in society complaining that an athlete is “long in the tooth.”
Prime in ice hockey is around 28 years old, but Martin St. Louis retired when he was 40 years old. St. Louis former teammate, Dan Boyle*, played last year at the age of 39, and Jaromir Jagr*, 44, is also still playing and has stated he wants to continue his NHL career until he’s 50.
Source: KXAN
Richard Petty continued to drive in NASCAR races until he retired at the age of 55. Brett Favre, who often teases fans with a return as quarterback in the NFL, retired for a second time from the Minnesota Vikings. Favre was 41. At 40, Peyton Manning decided to leave quarterbacking the Denver Broncos after winning Super Bowl 50.
And then there is the recently deceased “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe. Howe helped shape the world of ice hockey into what it is today. He is the inspiration for what is known as the Howe hat trick (the Player must score a goal, assist, and get into a fight in one game). As a man who played long enough for his sons to grow up, play, and win a professional championship with him, Howe is the perfect example that age is no excuse for not competing or training. Howe played 26 seasons!
Yes, after a certain age, an athlete will need to train differently realizing the body doesn’t react in the same manner it did 10 years ago. However, the aged athlete has something younger athletes lack–a level of focus, wisdom, and experience.
Training will require new methods, rest periods, and nutrition, but an older athlete can still compete successfully with younger ones with proper care. Like Torres, said, age is just a number.
Just ask Lindsey Vonn. Vonn, at the age of 40 years old, has decided to return to the United States Ski Team after 5 years of retirement. We have seen this move before with Tom Brady as well as seen athlete continue their careers well past their supposed prime.
Source: WCCO – CBS Minnesota
And now, Philip Rivers at age 44 had returned to the NFL as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
Philip Rivers on his first game back from retirement:
"Hopefully, my sons and those ball players that I'm in charge of at the school, they'll say like, 'Crap, coach wasn't scared.'" pic.twitter.com/u66Vadhh4j
*Dan Boyle finally retired at the age of 40, and Jaromir Jagr is no longer in the NHL but at the age of 50+ is still playing professional hockey in the Czech Republic Hockey League with hopes to return to the NHL. Add one more to the above list of retirees– former goaltender Martin Brodeur retired at the age of 42, but Zdeno Chara continues to play in the NHL at the age of 45+.