Rashard Mendenhall is a former Arizona Cardinal. He recently decided to retire from the NFL at age 26.
His article in the Huffington Post explains his decision, in his own words, but this is my favorite part:
"Over my career, because of my interests in dance, art and literature, my very calm demeanor, and my apparent lack of interest in sporting events on my Twitter page, people in the sporting world have sometimes questioned whether or not I love the game of football. I do. I always have. I am an athlete and a competitor. The only people who question that are the people who do not see how hard I work and how diligently I prepare to be great -- week after week, season after season. I take those things very seriously. I've always been a professional. But I am not an entertainer. I never have been. Playing that role was never easy for me. The box deemed for professional athletes is a very small box. My wings spread a lot further than the acceptable athletic stereotypes and conformity was never a strong point of mine. My focus has always been on becoming a better me, not a second-rate somebody else."
The bold italics are mine. I love it. I absolutely fucking love it.
Clearly he had many more years available to him to play football, but even the money and the access and the accolades couldn't convince him to be something he is not. He could have just played the role, be what people wanted, but I'm guessing that it didn't sit right with his soul.
This is exactly how I feel all the time. This is the point of life - being the best you, not a second-rate somebody else.
I really admire Rashard. At 26, I was too immersed in striving for the next thing, instead of paying attention - real attention - to who I really am. I still had the "give 'em hell" attitude, but I was too busy trying to control everything and fit myself into boxes that everyone could accept, including me.
No matter though. I am here now. I am awake now.
Better late than never, I say.
