Being a professional athlete can be a grueling job, both mentally and physically.
That’s why so many athletes step away from the playing field when they are seemingly in the prime of their career, or at least when it seems there is still plenty left in the tank. Sometimes it’s due to the potential risk for serious injury, while other times it’s because an athlete’s body just can’t recover enough from a previous injury. Or, they’re just tired of the grind that comes every season.
It’s one of the few professions where you can retire at a young age.