SIKIDS.COM / 471. Michael Jordan
Retired January 1999–September 2001
His Airness actually stepped aside twice. The
first was a season-and-a-half hiatus between
the Bulls’ three-peats in the 1990 s, when Jordan
tried his hand at minor league baseball. But when
he called it a career in the midst of an NBA lockout
in 1999, it seemed like the 3 5-year-old was done
for good. A year later he took over as president
of the Wizards. When they won just 19 games
in his first season, MJ realized that a potential
solution to his team’s talent shortage was the
guy looking back at him in the mirror. Jordan
came back as a player and made the All-Star
team in both of his seasons—but the Wizards
never got to the playoffs.2. Muhammad Ali
Retired July 1979–July 1980
Boxers are notorious for unretiring, and the
Greatest is no exception. Ali hung up his gloves
at age 3 7, but the lure of an $8 million payday
to fight heavyweight champ Larry Holmes was
too much to pass up. Holmes easily stopped Ali in
the 10 th round. Ali then entered the ring one last
time in 1981, when he was beaten by unheralded
Trevor Berbick, finally convincing the three-time
heavyweight champ to quit for good.- Justine Henin
Retired May 2008–
September 2009
Ranked No. 1 in the world
heading into the French Open,
an event she had won each of
the previous three years, Henin
sent shock waves through tennis
by announcing her retirement.
Just 25, Henin said, “I don’t feel
sadness, it’s more relief.” She
added, “It’s the end of a marvelous
adventure.” Not quite. She
reached the finals of her first
Grand Slam event after returning,
the 2010 Australian Open. But an
elbow injury suffered that year at
Wimbledon hounded her, and she
left the sport for good after the
2011 Aussie Open. - Gordie Howe
Retired September 1971—June 1973
Brady’s return wasn’t much of a surprise because
he’s known for the great lengths to which he
goes to stay in shape. That includes a diet that
forbids gluten, dairy, and sugar. When Howe—who
spent 25 seasons with the Red Wings—returned
to the ice at age 45 to skate with his sons for the
Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association,
his diet was more old school. His wife told
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: “Gordie’s big on cottage cheese,
fruit salad, ground round, Jell-O, hot and cold
cereals, and ice cream.” It worked, though. Howe
stuck around seven more seasons and was the
WHA MVP in 197 4. He came back one last time
in 1997, skating one shift for the minor league
Detroit Vipers, meaning he played in six decades.
5. Brett Favre
Retired March 2008–July 2008
Before Brady, the benchmark for a QB with a short
retirement was Favre. After months of speculation,
the longtime Packer was gone for just four months
before he admitted he was “guilty of retiring early.”
He signed with the Jets and also had a stint with
one of Green Bay’s division rivals, the Vikings. He led
Minnesota to the NFC title game before retiring for
good following the 2010 season.SINEMIL LEON BRUTY (JORIFER (HOWE); DADNAM); JOHIANN S ITROHMACONO ( ALEYER (FAI); BOB MVRE)ARTIN (HENIN);2.
3.They Couldn’t Stay Away