Favre-Jets, Olajuwon-Raptors, Emmitt-Cardinals

Hakeem Olajuwon played 17 seasons for the Houston Rockets, and one season at the end of his career for the Toronto Raptors. After averaging over 21.5 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots per game and winning two NBA championships with the Rockets, Hakeem’s final season with the Raptors was forgetable, averaging just 7.1, 6 and 1.5 respectively.

Emmitt Smith played 13 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls and then played two forgetable seasons with the Arizona Cardinals…but he did win Dancing with the Stars.

Brett Favre, after one season with Atlanta, played 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, winning a Super Bowl and multiple MVPs… and is now headed for one season with the New York Jets.

Granted, Brett is coming off a near MVP and near Super Bowl season…but the parallels remain.

All three players should have stayed with and retired with their respective career teams. In each of these situations, fans can find fault with aging veterans who probably should have retired, or with management who viewed the situations with too much of a business lens instead of with an eye on history. Sadly, it’s becoming more and more rare for star players not to stay with the one team where they made their name (and while I’m thinking about it, kudos to Biggio and Bagwell of the Astros for spending their entire career in Houston).

Either way, good luck Brett, and Go Pack!

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1 Response

  1. Emmitt Smith says:

    When will Emmitt Smith be eligible for HOF? He will be a lock for first ballot HOF!

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