In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a number of notable athletes retire from their respective sports. Super Bowl LII hero Nick Foles is retiring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, while one of the best defensive backs in NFL history, Tyrann Mathieu, has called it a career after 12 seasons in the league with the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs.
Women’s sports revolutionary Alex Morgan is calling it a day after deciding to play her final match with the San Diego Wave FC on Sunday. A video she posted on social media explained that her decision was a result of “so much clarity about this next chapter and [that] I’m so excited to finally share it with you all.”
Retiring from sport can be a challenging transition for many athletes, especially when the decision comes at a young age. Athletes can struggle to find their identity outside of their sport, which is made even harder when they’re pressured to continue competing until it’s deemed the right time.
In addition to the emotional and psychological challenges of retirement, it’s not uncommon for athletes to have financial difficulties in the wake of their career end. They may have to shell out thousands for elite coaching, equipment and forgo regular employment in order to train around the clock. This can be financially stressful, causing athletes to resort to food stamps or credit card debt as they seek a new way of living in the aftermath of their sporting careers.