In the past couple of weeks I've had a lot of time to think about 'fresh starts'. Some may know that I recently moved to Decorah, IA to work at Luther College as the assistant Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving coach. For the past few years I've lived at home in Milwaukee, minus my 6-months in Chicago, coaching hs boys swimming as well as a few other jobs. Moving out here to Iowa has not only been about starting a career for myself, but also changing my own life and starting fresh. I've got a new apartment, new responsibilities, new friends, new town, everything is new. As hard as it is to leave Milwaukee, especially this year after the group of friends I've become to know this summer, it's what I need to get myself going in the right direction.
While it isn't always major news, starting fresh is important for any athlete. Whether they've been traded to a new team, coming out of rehab, or just looking to make a change in order to find success again, it's important. Almost anyone can get a second chance at their life or career, but it's what one does with that chance that makes the difference.
For example, let's talk about Michael Vick. In his first years in the NFL he was one of the few QBs who found success right away with the Atlanta Falcons. He fast grew into one of the most athletic starting quarterbacks with what seemed to be a very long career ahead of him. It call came crashing down in 2007 when he pleaded guilty for dog fighting, suspended from the NFL, paying back much of his signing bonus and ultimately serving a prison sentence. Was it really possible for an ex convict to be reinstated to the NFL? Most would say no, but not even a year after his release he as signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in a 1 year contract for $1.6 million. The kicker; none of it guaranteed. It may not have been his most successful season but after what he'd been through, it was better than where he could be. Another year he was back as a starter, scoring touchdowns and getting the Eagles to the playoffs. A fresh start turned in the right direction, now what the future brings is to see if he can keep running on the right path.
Tiger Woods has been on fresh start track since the news of his infidelities broke in late 2009. Announcing his 'indefinite break from golf' the sports world waited to hear when they would see him play again. The 2010 Masters would be it and many anticipated we'd see a newly rejuvenated Woods to come on the course like the player we'd become to know him as. He came out strong with a 4-under 1st round, best ever start at Augusta, starting many to believe he indeed was back, everyone except those who finished 3 places in front of him. It seemed okay though, he played well, it was his first tournament back, nothing to worry about. Withdrawing from the Players Championship in the final round wasn't so promising either. Tried to defend his title at the Memorial; T-19th. U.S. Open; T-4th. The Open Championship; 13 shots behind surprise winner Louis Oosthuzin. In August, he finished 2nd to last at WGC Bridgestone with an 18 over par. Who was this guy? Not the same Tiger Woods who won the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 strokes. 2010 was lost for Woods when he finished out of the top 30 in the FedEx Cup rankings for the first time since 1996, but because Corey Pavin knew exactly how good Woods is he took the chance and still invited him to the Tour Championship. He did not play to expectations once again. We're now more than halfway through 2011 and Tiger has yet to win another major or even a regular tournament. Inconsistency has become his new name. As of right now, the last we'll see of him on the golf course was walking off the 9th green at the TPC as he withdrew himself in the 1st round. Various injuries since 2008 have been lingering in his game. Not to say that he's faking it, but when are they not going to be apart of his reasons behind not playing well? Tiger's 'fresh start' after his time off to get his life back together still has us wondering if he made the right choice. He's given himself a second chance, but we have yet to see success. When will we see him play again? Is it possible that one of the greatest golfers in history is never going to win another major?
Shooting himself in the leg on accident ultimately led to Plaxico Burress turning himself in for criminal possession of a handgun. Ultimately returning to Giants Stadium, Burress was suspended without pay, placed on a reserve list, and ineligible for the playoffs. After a 9 mm, rifle and ammunition were found at his home there wasn't much hope that we'd see Plaxico on the playing field anytime soon. Finally in August of 2009, he accepted the plea deal to serve 2 years in prison and an additional 2 years of supervised release. Released from jail he seemed ready to get back into the game, but with the NFL still in lockout he had to wait to see what could happen. Like Vick, many thought he'd never play another game, and at this point we were skeptical to believe there would be a season this year. Thankfully we're now in preseason football and Burress is back in uniform, with the New York Jets. The NFL world waits to see what he's going to do.
There are so many athletes over the years who get a second chance, fresh start, rebirth, whatever you choose to call it, and it's not always the successful stories that stand out the most. Tiger's near 2 year rebirth still has us wondering if he took the right path. A fresh start isn't always a long engagement, it could be simple as one of Shaquille O'Neal's new season with a different team or an Olympic athlete getting a 2nd or 3rd chance to go for a gold medal. Michael Phelps after being slandered for images of him smoking pot and living the party lifestyle has started to climb back to the top of medal stand even with Ryan Lochte currently standing in the way. Those of us who have been fortunate enough in life to be given a second chance at something can tell with experience that while it takes more work than before, taking that opportunity and running with it is worth every sacrifice. You sometimes have to go further, work harder, sacrifice more, find a little humility but when you bounce back stronger than ever, you realize it was all worth it. So, when you get your second chance, your fresh start, what are you going to do?
