Every athlete who has had to stop playing their sport because of an injury, knows all too well the host of struggles that comes with not being able to do what you love. Here are just 10 struggles from a former athlete herself
1. You constantly find yourself driving past your old fields.
I know that for myself, every time I drove past my old softball or lacrosse fields, it’s almost like I could see myself playing, and interacting with my teammates. Former athletes almost always feel an immense attachment to the fields or the courts where they spent most of their afternoons and weekends. It’s a place
2. No matter how many garage sales your mom has, you can never part with your equipment.
I still keep all my old bats, gloves, bags, cleats, lacrosse sticks, face guards and other miscellaneous items that I needed. My mom always tries to get rid of my stuff since I can no longer use it as much as I would’ve if I played in college. It’s nice to still know when I’m bored at home, I can pick up my stick and toss around a ball. Often for former athletes, it’s a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
3. You love talking about plays, and crazy games that you can’t get out of your memory.
I have a lot of friends and siblings who are still playing their sports, and I actively watch sports. Being an athlete you become always analytical of plays, commenting on form and everything else in between - kind of like a sixth sense that you never lose
4. It stings a little to see people play your sport, or any sport at the college level, knowing you never will.
Every college game that you either attend at your university, or watch on TV, though enjoyable, brings a little twinge of pain. That could be you doing what you love, but you were taken out or had to stop for whatever reason. The thrill of that game changing point or play, is something you will never experience. For many athletes it’s something you never really get over.
5. Every time your knee or shoulder (or whatever injured body part) hurts, it reminds you of the good old days.
My knees and hips crack all the time, especially when I get in the gym. It reminds me of what my limits are now, and also of where I was. I used to have stamina and endurance out the window, and now you can’t imagine getting out of the gym without some joint hurting. But it reminds you why you played so hard, and that you would rather have the pain to remind you that you were an athlete, then no pain at all.
6. You still wear your old gear with everything and as often as you can.
I have countless of dry fit shirts, jackets, sweatpants and t-shirts with my school, sport, competition, showcase; anything related to my sport. I still have them and wear them as often as I can because I am super proud of where I was, and what I spent all of my days doing. They are also super comfy, and easy to throw on when you are in a rush to get to class.
7. All your trophies and awards are still sitting in your room.
The amount of trophies and ribbons I have is actually sickening. I keep everything, even the “Thanks for participating” ribbons you get as a little kid. My mom is always trying to get rid of them, no matter how much I protest. They remind you of all your accomplishments and how much you grew as a player and a teammate through the years.
8. You try to play every chance you get, whether it’s a batting cage on the weekend, or passing a ball around on the beach, just to still feel connected.
I love going out and doing outdoor activities, especially if they are related to my sports. This can usually be a bonding experience with family or friends, or even just a time to reconnect with yourself and the field.
9. You live your athletic dreams through family and friends who still play.
This is probably my biggest fault when it comes to family and friends. I’m so into all of their athletic lives, it’s crazy. I’m basically that crazy soccer mom at every game, pointing out bad calls and talking a lot of talk. Most “retired” athletes are like this, which is why a lot of them become managers and coaches; to stay close to the sport.
10. No matter how hard you try, that electrifying of playing on a field or court will never leave your bones and is forever etched into who you are.
Being an athlete is something that is driven into our very beings, and becomes everything we are. Being taken out of our sport for whatever reason is something that makes us question who we are. What do we do now that we can’t play something that has defined everything we always were? It’s an adjustment period that some of us never really get out of. But that feeling of playing the sport that you love will never leave.
