Six Players Who Came Back Out of Retirement

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26 Sept 2024

Retirement from professional sports often marks the end of an era for athletes, but some legendary players have defied this conventional closure. Driven by unfinished business, personal motivation, or the undeniable love of the game, these athletes have made triumphant returns to the playing field after officially hanging up their jerseys.

This phenomenon captures the imagination of fans and illustrates that, in sports, a career is never over until it truly is. Let’s delve into six remarkable players who came back out of retirement and left an indelible mark on their sport.

Michael Jordan: The NBA Icon's Unforgettable Returns

Michael Jordan is perhaps the most famous athlete to have come out of retirement—twice. After winning three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan shocked the sports world by retiring in 1993. He pursued a brief baseball career, playing for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. However, Jordan’s love for basketball couldn’t be suppressed for long.

In March 1995, Jordan returned to the NBA, famously announcing his comeback with just two words: "I'm back." Over the next three seasons, he led the Bulls to another three-peat of championships, solidifying his legacy as the greatest basketball player of all time.

In 2001, Jordan came out of retirement again, this time as a member of the Washington Wizards. Though his stint with the Wizards wasn’t as decorated as his Bulls years, Jordan still averaged over 20 points per game and provided a masterclass in perseverance and competitive drive.

Jordan’s multiple comebacks showed that even the greatest can find new ways to challenge themselves and continue their legacy.

Brett Favre: The NFL’s Reluctant Retiree

Brett Favre, a legendary quarterback, made a habit of wavering on retirement decisions. After a long and successful career with the Green Bay Packers, where he won three MVP awards and a Super Bowl, Favre retired in 2008, only to unretire shortly after.

Favre first returned to play for the New York Jets in the 2008 season. His year with the Jets was mixed, showing flashes of brilliance but ending without a playoff berth.
The following year, he unretired once again to play for the Minnesota Vikings. In 2009, Favre had one of the best seasons of his career, leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game and earning Pro Bowl honors.

Favre’s repeated retirements and returns captivated NFL fans and solidified his status as one of the toughest, most durable quarterbacks in the history of the sport.

Martina Hingis: The Tennis Prodigy’s Multiple Comebacks

Martina Hingis was once hailed as tennis’s “Swiss Miss,” dominating the sport as a teenager. By 22, Hingis had already retired due to injuries, but she eventually made not one but two comebacks, proving that she was far from finished.

In 2006, after a three-year absence, Hingis returned to the tennis circuit. Though she didn’t reclaim her former dominance in singles, she won multiple doubles titles and mixed doubles Grand Slams.
After retiring again in 2007, Hingis returned in 2013 exclusively in doubles and mixed doubles, winning more Grand Slam titles and cementing her place as one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history.

Hingis’s ability to return from injury and adapt her game for doubles is a testament to her talent and enduring love for tennis.

Michael Phelps: The Olympic Legend's Redemption

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, shocked the world when he retired after the 2012 London Olympics. Having won 22 Olympic medals, including 18 golds, Phelps seemed to have nothing left to prove. However, the competitive fire inside him still burned bright.

In 2014, Phelps announced his return to competitive swimming, aiming for the 2016 Rio Olympics. His comeback wasn’t just about winning medals; it was also about redemption after struggles with personal issues.
At the Rio Olympics, Phelps added five more gold medals and one silver to his tally, bringing his total Olympic medal count to 28, solidifying his status as the greatest Olympian ever.

Phelps’s return wasn’t merely about numbers—it was a story of personal growth, mental strength, and rediscovering a purpose beyond the pool.

George Foreman: Boxing’s Legendary Comeback

In the world of boxing, few comebacks are as iconic as George Foreman’s. Foreman initially retired in 1977 after a successful career that included winning an Olympic gold medal and the heavyweight championship. His post-retirement years were spent as a preacher, far from the violence of the ring.

But in 1987, after a 10-year absence, Foreman returned to boxing with a goal that seemed impossible: to become heavyweight champion again.

Despite being laughed off by many, Foreman worked his way up through the ranks, defying critics along the way.
In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman achieved his goal, knocking out Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight title. He became the oldest heavyweight champion in history, a record that still stands.

Foreman’s comeback was not only a testament to his physical toughness but also a reflection of his mental resolve and undying passion for the sport.

Kim Clijsters: The Tennis Champion’s Return After Motherhood

Kim Clijsters is one of the rare athletes to come back from retirement and achieve greater success than before. Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007, citing the desire to start a family.

After giving birth to her daughter in 2008, Clijsters felt the itch to return to the sport she loved.

In 2009, Clijsters made her comeback to professional tennis after a two-year absence, and it was nothing short of spectacular. She won the US Open that same year, becoming the first mother to win a Grand Slam since 1980.
Clijsters went on to win two more Grand Slam titles after her return, further cementing her legacy as one of tennis’s all-time greats.

Clijsters’s story shows that athletes can achieve greatness even after significant life changes and time away from their sport.

Conclusion

The decision to come out of retirement is never an easy one for athletes. It involves not only physical challenges but also the mental fortitude to step back into the limelight after having left it behind. The six athletes profiled here—Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Martina Hingis, Michael Phelps, George Foreman, and Kim Clijsters—each had their unique reasons for returning to their sport. Whether motivated by personal redemption, unfinished business, or a simple love for competition, these players proved that sometimes, a second (or third) act can be just as thrilling as the first.