A couple of weeks ago, an NFL football player made headlines when he shared his plan for FIRE. And, not surprisingly, it drummed up some pretty negative and misguided reactions. Of course, when I saw this story it immediately caught my eye. So let’s take a closer look…
FIRE and the NFL
Here’s a quick breakdown of the story. Puka Nacua, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, discussed on a podcast how he planned to retire from the NFL at age 30. He is currently in only his second year during high time he has become a premier wide receiver in the league. And he’s only 23 years old. So, basically, he plans to play for about 7 more years.
And why does he want to retire at age 30?
He wants to start a family and have time to spend with his family and kids while they are young. Although not explicitly stated by Nacua, I’m sure that injury risk of playing football plays a role in the decision as well.
Puka of course wouldn’t be the first NFL or professional athlete to retire early. In fact, Nacua’s former teammate Aaron Donald, a premier defensive player, retired in what could be considered his prime for similar reasons.
So, is this good or bad?
It depends on your perspective.
For Puka Nacua, it sure seems great. More athletes should carry career plans and recognize/plan for the inevitable end of their career. Which often comes sooner than expected.
For anyone else, including the NFL, fans, etc., it doesn’t matter. Doesn’t impact you. Not your decision. So who cares?
But, of course, the “experts” had to weight in…
Including Colin Cowherd. As far as sports pundits go, I actually don’t mind Cowherd as much as the others. But he took a really bad take on this NFL FIRE story.
Basically, he contends that this is a bad look for the player and the NFL. And that “work life balance” doesn’t really have a place in the NFL. And that owners would hesitate to sign Puka or give a big contract based on his stated plans. WHAT?
That is so ridiculous.
Let’s break it down….what’s better for an NFL owner? A happy player? Or an upset player with poor work life balance? That’s pretty easy. And who cares about when they want to retire. Honestly, based on the average lifespan of an NFL player, he probably would be reaching the twilight of his career around then anyway. Enjoy and read his play while he is active. Then bid him well.
Why be bitter or spiteful?
The connection between NFL and physician FIRE
I love exploring the similarities between professional athletes and physicians like this. Both professional carry high income, high expectations, and specialized skills. But both also carry massive physician and mental burden and burnout as well as are associated with money mismanagement.
In this case, the parallel is more so in the interplay between those actually practicing the “product” – be it a sports game or medicine – and those who oversee the product – NFL owners and medical administrators, in this case.
Athletes and doctors are not pawns. Sure, there are more of us that will always come in the future. But we each carry unique skills and bring unique intangibles. These need to be fostered, accepted, nurtured, and rewarded throgygout our careers. And then when that career ends, move on to the next.
In all honesty, athletes have recognized this more recently, working hard to make sure their compensation aligns with their economic value. Doctors need to do the same thing.
And here are some ways to help you do just that:
- 4 Methods to Defining Your Value as a Physician
- 3 Ways I Defined My Value Ahead of My Contract Negotiations
- Examining the Value of Normative Physician Compensation Data
- Exploring the Time Value of Money for Physicians
What do you think? Is an NFL player planning to FIRE a good or bad thing? Is it even a big deal at all? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
