I have been hearing the “Q” word allot lately in sports. A few weeks ago head coach of the Denver Nuggets Brian Shaw was fired from the team after managing just a 20-39 season record this season. This comes after just two seasons under Shaw, in which he took over for George Karl a long tenured respected coach around the NBA who led the Nuggets to 57-25 and coach of the year honors before being fired. The team was said to have quit on Shaw and said to have been purposely tanking without Shaw’s knowledge. In my opinion if this is true then I agree that these players are in fact quitters and deserve to be labeled as such.
News broke not to long ago that San Francisco linebacker Chris Borland would be retiring after just his rookie season in the NFL. This news was especially shocking because it came not to long after his teammate and veteran linebacker Patrick Willis had announced his retirement due to foot ailments and lack of desire. Willis’s retirement while a shock because he is still productive and only 30 was received more positive, while Borland age 24 was labeled a quitter is some circles. Borland cited after meeting with physicians and family members he decided he wanted to avoid almost certain physical and mental ailments later in life due to the brutality of the game. I don’t feel Willis quit because you definitely want to stay away from football if you have no desire and your body will eventually break down as his has begun to it’s only a matter of time. I also don’t feel Borland quit even though he is young and relatively injury free because he informed the team well before the draft and season giving them opportunity to make plans for his replacement and because he consulted with experts and former players to make a way of life decision. I must respect someone who is preparing for the future.
