Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is doing everything he can to get back on the field. Almost all of the great athletes try to keep playing until their health and production keep them from doing so. A look at some of the best of all time and how they finished their careers:
National Football League
JOHNNY UNITAS, quarterback
In his prime: “Johnny U” was the original master of the comeback drive, an on-field coach who brought the passing game into a new era. He threw at least one touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games, a record that stood for more than half a century.
At the end: On January 22, 1973, the Baltimore Colts shipped the 39-year-old Unitas to San Diego for future considerations. His golden right arm sore and his pride hurt, Unitas soldiered on but was benched after four games. He attempted just one more pass — a 7-yard completion in Week 8.
His legacy: Unitas ranks high in any discussion of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He threw for 290 touchdowns and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
JERRY RICE, wide receiver
In his prime: In 1986, his second season with San Francisco, Rice began a stretch of excellence unmatched in NFL history. He caught 86 passes that year for a league-leading 1,570 yards, the first of his 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
At the end: After being waived by the 49ers in a cost-cutting move, Rice signed with Oakland in 2001 at age 38. He caught 92 passes in 2002 as the Raiders advanced to the Super Bowl. He had just five catches with Oakland in 2004 before the Raiders traded him to Seattle, where he was shut out in his final three games. He tried out for the Broncos at age 42 but retired when it was clear he wouldn’t make the team.
His legacy: Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan called Rice “arguably the best player to ever play the game.” When he retired he owned 38 NFL records, including career receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895) and touchdown receptions (197). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
DEION SANDERS, cornerback-kick returner
In his prime: “Neon Deion” was a force of nature for most of his career, and his 1994 season with the Super Bowl champion 49ers was unforgettable. He picked off six passes and ran three back for touchdowns, including returns of 90 and 93 yards. His speed, in-your-face attitude and hand-eye coordination made him the epitome of a “shutdown corner.” He remains the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series (Atlanta).
At the end: Released by Dallas for salary cap reasons in the summer of 2000, Sanders signed a $56 million, seven-year contract with Washington. He played only one season with the Redskins, during which he made four interceptions, then retired. At age 37 he came out of retirement and signed with Baltimore. But “Prime Time,” slowed by injuries and age, was limited to six starts over two seasons.
His legacy: Sanders ranks among the best “cover” corners and return men in NFL history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Major League Baseball
WILLIE MAYS, outfielder
In his prime: Blessed with speed, grace and power, and playing with the exuberance of a teenager, the “Say Hey Kid” is viewed by many as baseball’s greatest all-around player. In his 1954 MVP season, the 23-year-old Mays led the National League with a .345 average, blasted 41 home runs, drove in 110 runs and made “The Catch” against the Indians in the World Series.
At the end: Mays was 41 when the New York Mets acquired him from San Francisco in 1972. In 1973 he batted .211 in 66 games and hit six home runs. In Game 2 of the World Series against Oakland, Father Time cut down Mays. In the ninth inning, he tried to track a flyball in the daytime sun and tripped and fell. He also fell on a play in which he scored from second base.
His legacy: Mays’ brilliance is indisputable. A first-ballot Hall of Famer, he finished his career with 660 home runs, a .302 average, two MVP awards and 12 Gold Gloves.
BABE RUTH, outfielder
In his prime: Legendary sportswriter Red Smith said it best: “It wasn’t that (Ruth) hit more home runs than anybody else, he hit them better, higher, farther, with more theatrical timing and a more flamboyant flourish.” An American original, Ruth bashed 714 home runs — including 60 in 1927, something that was almost unfathomable at the time.
At the end: The woebegone Boston Braves acquired Ruth at age 40 after he was cast away by the Yankees. Fat and out of shape, Ruth played 28 games with the Braves and hit .181 with six home runs.
His legacy: Ruth helped revive baseball in the aftermath of the 1919 Black Sox scandal with his prodigious home runs and immense popularity. Ruth famously said: “The fans would rather see me hit one homer to right than three doubles to left.”
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RICKEY HENDERSON, outfielder
In his prime: On May 1, 1991, Henderson stole his way into baseball history when he surpassed Lou Brock’s all-time record with career stolen base No. 939. In keeping with his flamboyant style, at the end of a speech to commemorate the moment, he announced, “Today, I am the greatest!” As a rookie in 1980, Henderson broke Hall of Famer Ty Cobb’s 65-year-old American League stolen base record of 96 when he swiped 100 bases. In 1982, he stole 130 bases, breaking Brock’s major-league season record of 118.
At the end: Henderson played for nine teams spanning four decades. In his final four seasons, he never hit higher than .240.
His legacy: Henderson was hands down the best leadoff hitter of all time. He finished as baseball’s all-time leader in stolen bases (1,406), runs (2,295) and walks (2,190) and had 3,055 career hits. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
National Basketball Association
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PATRICK EWING, center
In his prime: Ewing was one of the most dominant centers of his era, averaging 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots in 15 seasons with the New York Knicks, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 1985. He was an 11-time all-star.
At the end: Knee injuries robbed Ewing of the athleticism that once made him the NBA’s best post player. The Knicks traded him in 2000 to Seattle, where he limped to an average of 9.6 points. He then signed with Orlando as a free agent, and a scoring average of 6.0 points led him to calling it a career at age 39.
His legacy: Ewing ranks among the best big men to ever play. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
MICHAEL JORDAN, guard
In his prime: With his high-flying theatrics, clutch play, leadership and the ability to impact winning both offensively and defensively, Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest NBA player of all time. He led Chicago to six league championships and won five MVP awards.
At the end: Jordan, consumed by competition, came out of retirement in 2001 after three years off and signed with Washington at age 38. He averaged more than 20 points per game for two seasons, but his impact on winning was gone.
His legacy: Fans prefer to remember Jordan with Chicago, where he had no peer in a golden age of the NBA. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, center
In his prime: The combination of size with guardlike athleticism made O’Neal one of the most powerful forces at center the NBA has ever seen. Backboards had to be fortified, or risk destruction. O’Neal was drafted by Orlando but rose to his ultimate fame with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a part of four NBA title teams.
At the end: When the Lakers chose Kobe Bryant to lead the franchise and traded the constantly irritated O’Neal in 2004, that set off a series of moves that saw O’Neal join the Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and Celtics in the final years of his career.
His legacy: O’Neal was nominated Dec. 21 for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It would be a shock if he doesn’t make it in on his first try. Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
National Hockey League
MARTIN BRODEUR, goalie
In his prime: Brodeur was a workhorse with the New Jersey Devils who surpassed Patrick Roy’s record for career victories at age 36 in 2009. From 2003-08, he won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie four times.
At the end: Brodeur hung on until he was 42, finishing with a seven-game appearance with the St. Louis Blues in 2014-15, mainly because Brian Elliott was injured. Brodeur had tested free agency the previous summer but found there was little demand.
His legacy: He finished with 691 career wins, all but three with the Devils, and 113 playoff wins, second to Roy’s 151. Brodeur is a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018.
WAYNE GRETZKY, center
In his prime: In no other sport does the “best ever” argument begin and end with one player. Gretzky was far and away the best player in the NHL for more than a decade. He won the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP in his first eight NHL seasons.
At the end: He retired at age 38 after scoring only nine goals and getting 62 points in 1998-99 with the New York Rangers, who missed the playoffs.
His legacy: He’s the NHL career leader in goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857). In November 1999, he was the last player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame minus the usual three-year waiting period.
BOBBY ORR, defenseman
In his prime: The swift skating defenseman revolutionized the game — and his position — with breathtaking end-to-end rushes and spectacular plays. In his 10 seasons with the Bruins, he won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman eight consecutive years, from 1968-75. He still is the only defenseman to lead the league in scoring, and he did it twice — in 1969-70 and 1974-75.
At the end: Orr’s knee problems took their toll, and he played only 10 games with the Bruins in 1975-76 before becoming a free agent. He signed with Chicago and played only 26 games for the Blackhawks over the next three seasons.
His legacy: He retired at age 31 after more than a dozen knee surgeries. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame without a waiting period in 1979. Terry Frei, The Denver Post
