Is there such a thing as objective success?
Well, of course there is, in rigidly defined systems. In an NFL season, for example, success is measured by winning, specifically by winning the Super Bowl. Every team’s objective is to win the league championship, so if you do, you succeed. If you don’t, then you don’t.
When it comes to assessing the merits of individual players, it gets trickier. What is a successful career? Everybody will define that differently, and for the athletes themselves, it’s important to have your own definition.
Take former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds, who was behind in the race right out of the gate.