http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/1/31/2761217/the-tragedy-of-allen-iverson
Well here we go again!
Yet another very sad article about professional athletes struggling with their transition from the playing days to “Life after the Game.
While it’s tempting and almost irresistible to chuckle at these all to common “Rags to Riches to Rags” stories… it’s all to real and happens all to often.
As a former professional athlete who is working with athletes (I am a board member with the Retired NBA Players) in helping them with their transition into real every day life, I see first hand how the athletes struggle and fall by the wayside. Keep in mind that the general public only hears about the high profile ones who struggle while the other 95% of retiring professional athletes fly under the radar…. yes, struggle just the same.
My emphasis and focus is always on making sure that the athletes get their education and degrees to enhance their odds of success in life. The athletes have to realize that they are a commodity, and that “system” that they come through (AAU, high school, university and professional) are going to use them for the talents the athletes can provide (albeit in exchange for athletic scholarships and huge million dollar contracts) and once they are no longer valued for their athletic value, the athlete is “retired and put out to pasture”, not unlike everyone else who works in corporate America.
We’re going to hear and see more and more stories like this in the oncoming years because fewer and fewer athletes are prepared for life after the game, and the millions of dollars that are dangled in front of them is just to tempting to pass up on.
I remember one of my great mentors told me once that “when you have a fool and give him a million dollars and a few cents… all you end up with is a fool with a million dollars and very little common sense”.
I hope to get involved with the NBA Player Development programs and do even more to help out and do what we can do. Ultimately, the choices and decisions made by the athletes have to be better choices and decisions. We can do that by surrounding them with mentors, positive role models, better teachers/coaches and encouraging the athletes to develop a plan for success and stick to it.
Listen to James speak on life after the game
http://qwips.com/34wmvr
James Donaldson
Former NBA All Star
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
