The 10 Most Shocking Retirements in Sports History

The Most Shocking Retirements in Sports History

Tonight ESPN aired its "The Announcement" documentary. Even casual fans remember what they were doing and where they were when the news of Magic Johnson's HIV status and subsequent retirement first broke. He was already one of the greats and had at least another handful of years playing at the top of his game. But Magic's untimely retirement was not the first or last for pro sports stars.

From those who quit because of a lack of passion like Bjorn Borg or for a good cause like Pat Tillman, when these athletes hung it up everyone took notice. Do you remember where you were when Barry Sanders quit? How about Jim Brown? If so for Jim Brown then you're an AARP member and Complex reader, so props to you! Anyway, we'll refresh your memory as we take a look back at those unforgettable moments with the 10 Most Shocking Retirements in Sports History....

Sandy Koufax

10. Sandy Koufax

Sport: Baseball
Retirement Age (Career): 30 (1955-1966)
The Left Arm of God left the game on a sour note. The 30-year-old Koufax suffered from an arthritic left elbow that was sometimes black and blue when he woke up in the mornings. Some folks felt he had some more left in the tank because of his phenomenal final year where he went 27-9 with an ERA of 1.73 and 317 Ks. Despite dipping out so early, the Brooklyn-native still helped the Dodgers win four titles and became the first pitcher to win multiple Cy Youngs (two straight upon retiring). Mazel Tov!

Rocky Marciano

9. Rocky Marciano

Sport: Boxing
Retirement Age (Career): 32 (1948-1955)
At 31 and with a 49-0 record (43 KOs), Marciano gracefully bowed out. The original "Rock" was a brawler's brawler. His right hand rearranged mugs (peep the photo, son!) and left fans (and opponents) screaming in the process. Marciano was Arturo Gatti with Mike Tyson power, a straight animal in the ring. Still young and functioning, he didn't want to overstay his welcome like those before him. His family convinced him to retire so he could spend more time with them. We ain't mad at that. Sidebar: So is this Pacquaio v. Mayweather thing FINALLY going to happen?! Till then, MMA>>>boxing.

Otto Graham

8. Otto Graham

Sport: Football
Retirement Age (Career): 34 (1946-1955)
During his ten years split between the All America Football Conference and the NFL, the Hall of Fame quarterback made it the championship game every year and was victorious in seven. He's still considered to be Top Five Dead or Alive by many and arguably the greatest winner in pro football history. Otto etched the Cleveland Browns into football mythology during their first decade of existence. His legendary accuracy earned him the nickname, "Automatic Otto." Just imagine how history would've turned out if he stayed a couple more years and was teamed up with Jim Brown? #unreal #videogameshit

Kirby Puckett

7. Kirby Puckett

Sport: Baseball
Retirement Age (Career): 35 (1984-1995)
Throughout his entire 12-year career Kirby Puckett played for the Twins and guided them to two World Series championships. Fans most fondly remember him for his walk-off homer in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series which is to this day one of the most clutch moments in Minnesota sports history. After his tenth consecutive All-Star season in '95, he was tearing it up during spring training until he woke up on March 28, 1996 and couldn't see out of his right eye. The problem turned out to be glaucoma and after three unsuccessful surgeries, he was forced to retire. Puckett finished his career with a .318 batting average and 2,300 hits. He died from a stroke only 11 years later. R.I.P.

Pat Tillman

6. Pat Tillman

Sport: Football
Retirement Age (Career): 25 (1998-2001)
Pat Tillman wasn't as celebrated on the field as the other stars on this list, but he's just as important to the culture. Pat was in the fourth year of a decent NFL career when the the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred. Several months later, he sacrificed millions and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, he lost is life due to friendly fire on April 22, 2004 and his death is mired in controversy. Regardless of any political beliefs and conspiracy theories, there's no denying that Tillman was a true American hero.

Bjorn Borg

5. Bjorn Borg

Sport: Tennis
Retirement Age (Career): 26 (1973-1983)
To this day many argue that if Bjorn Borg had kept playing, he would easily be the greatest to ever pick up a racquet. At the young age of 26 and on the heels of five straight Wimbledon titles, Borg hung it up. He left the game with 11 Grand Slams under his belt, the consecutive wins streak (43) and the only player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in three straight years. His endurance and cool under pressure set him apart from his peers. Sadly, eight years later, Borg returned to the game as a shell of his former self and failed to win a single match over two years before hanging it up for good. #smh #c'monson #toooldforthatshit

Barry Sanders

4. Barry Sanders

Sport: Football
Retirement Age (Career): 30 (1989-1998)
Until Detroit started winning this season, Barry Sanders was really the only thing Lions fans have had to cheer about over the last two decades. At the time of his announcement, Barry was 1,500 yards shy of Walter Payton and made the Pro Bowl every year during his ten seasons. Part of the reason why Sanders called it quits at 31 was the Detroit Lions consistently sucking and the terrible front office refusing to do anything about it while he was climbing up the record books. In a letter he faxed to the Lions front office announcing his retirement, Barry stated, "The reason I am retiring is very simple. My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it." In other words, "Y'all bitches suck and I'm wasting my time here." It's so cold in the D...

Jim Brown

3. Jim Brown

Sport: Football
Retirement Age (Career): 29 (1957-1969)
Jim Brown left the NFL as the all-time leading rusher; a record that stood for 19 years. If there's an exact definition of a football player, Jim Brown is it. His running style was so brutal, cats were afraid to tackle him. Shit, he still scares us. Brown left the game to pursue acting (allegedly) and be more involved in political activism. He would later go onto smash Raquel Welch in one of the first interracial sex scenes on film in 100 Rifles. Legend in two games—no Pee Wee Kirkland.

Michael Jordan

2. Michael Jordan

Sport: Basketball
Retirement Age (Career): 30 (1985-1993)
In October of 1993, while in his prime and fresh off winning his third straight championship, Michael Jordan retired...to play baseball. His father's murder earlier that year weighed heavily on his decision as did his pop's dreams of Mike playing in the MLB. At the time of his announcement, Jordan was considered by many to be the GOAT without much argument. After a lackluster stint in the minors, he later returned to the NBA in March of 1995 and went on to lead the Bulls to another three-peat, solidifying his legacy as the best ever. We'll just act like those years in Washington never happened. Fuck you, Wolf Blitzer!

Magic Johnson

1. Magic Johnson

Sport: Basketball
Retirement Age (Career): 31 (1980-1991)
When Magic announced his retirement just before the '91-'92 season, the sporting world was devastated. In 1991, everyone assumed HIV would rapidly turn into full blown AIDS and ultimately lead to Magic's death. Yeah, we and everyone else were kind of wrong. He was selected by the fans to the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando amongst resistance from active players, which included teammates. Despite the fear and discrimination, he played and was named the game's MVP. Later that year, Magic was named to the "Dream Team," which allowed him to spread AIDS awareness across the globe. The greatest point guard of all time is still alive and well, sharing that signature smile and enthusiasm for the game with new generations of fans. During an LA Times interview, Magic said, "If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have retired. But I didn't know that then. And you've just got to go with what happened."