Why do players retire so young?

Most players retire before they hit 40. Why do they retire so young? I dont think 45 is that old. But I do know by 35 the average human starts to break down Muscle Mass.

Public Comments

1. they get rich and their bones and muscles hurt..
2. because they are rich and they can
3. Because they can.
4. It's because of the money..honey..
5. The game is very hard on the body. Also, the body does not recover from injuries and extreme training as quickly.
6. DUH! I'm a girl and I know that those guys eventually get bored and attain enough money so that they don't have to beat up their bodies anymore
7. Footbal hurts.
8. well i think you partially answered your own question... another reason is that they can afford to retire so young.
9. they take a beating everytime they step foot on the field. getting tackled, tackling, throwing, and breaking bones,.
10. By the time they reach 40, most players don't have what it takes physically to compete with guys in their 20's who are coming out of college. The average NFL career for most position players is just 4 or 5 years. Their bodies take a beating.
11. Mostly cause of injuries. Alot of payers take so much damage playing these games that they can barely walk and stand later on. Have you seen injuries in the NFL? people get their shins, ankles, ribs, etc crackd and broken. basically the rule of thumb is, GET YOUR MONEY AND GET OUT.
12. because they're bodies break down and the younger guys are much fresher. so they can no longer compete.
13. Do you realize how much NFL players are paid in their contract deals? If you were to make as much money as they do sitting at an office desk, would you honestly continue to work? I doubt you would.
14. Hell.......if I had 35 million in the bank I'd be gone baby...why rick getting hurt and screwing up your life?
15. So they can enjoy and spend their money.
16. it is either b/c they have enough money and they don't think they need anymore, or their body is worn down from all the ware and tare, or they feel as if they have hit a peak in their life and that they can't do anything better
17. football is a very brutal activity.
18. if you had 100 million or so what would you do
19. The younger, less injured players are better. Players that stick around for a long time are the greats.
20. cause they want the young energenic playes not the old run down ppl. when ur young u play better most of the time, faster, quicker all that, alot of times there r injuries and they have to retire. like yszerman he jus retired at age 40 from the red wings. i was sorry to c him go cause i loved him and he was the caption.
21. people that make it to the top level make it their because they have the drive to beat others at what they do. Once you get to a certain point (in some sports it's younger than others) then you know you are no longer gonna be able to compete with people half your age. So it is your pride that gets you out. Would you continue doing something if you knew everytime you did it some person was gonna beat you? Not only that but at that age especially for males other things become more important such as family and friends. You realize how much time you have spent away and how much damage that might have done and the money is no longer worth those moments that you can never get back. You have the money that will more than likely last you the rest of your life you figure now is the time to get out so I can take that next step in life whatever it might be.
22. It is like this. They are getting paid millions of dollars to essentially play a game for a living. That game is hard on the body and also on the family life with all the traveling. They figure by 35-40 they have made enough sacrifices for the game. They have to try for a normal life.
23. 1. as they get older they get slower and there for won't get paid as much 2. your average NFL player's life expectancy is about 70
24. IT'S THE MONEY
25. because they are sitting on cash and they don't have to worry about money or they probably want to try something else
26. I believe they just get tired of the game and want to spend more time with their families. Jerry Rice stayed in the game a very long time and many would like to be for they retire WIN IN THE SUPERBOWL.
27. It is very hard on the body. As a person gets older they become more fragile, even at the young age of 30. It is difficult for them to compete with 22 year old guys running 4.3 40's. Plus, they are already millionaires by that time.
28. Its a tough fast paced game. Injuries are sometimes to blame and the quick nest of players coming into the game. I think its also due to the salaries if you have made 58 million why play to you till you get injured for life.
29. Most of the time they have to retire because their bodies are so banged up from various injuries, they can't play at the same caliber anymore. Plus, a good player will be quite rich by the time he is 40, so why go through all the pain year after year?