Mere moments before I started to write this piece, I thought it would be a good idea to reread the article from which I got my idea. Good thing I did, because the tables had turned.
Originally, I was going to write on Brad Pitt’s recent plan to retire when he turns 50; however, his even more recent stance is that he won’t retire completely from acting, but instead take on more behind the scenes roles.
Lucky for me that he changed his mind, because now he can join the club of other famous kids that called it quits…for about a day.
I don’t know why actors and actresses think they need to announce when they plan to retire, especially when it is at such a ridiculously young age.
It’s almost insulting to those who worked a real job for 40 years and retired at the age of 65. Sure, many stop acting and pursue other careers or goals, but does that mean they “retired” from acting? Can’t we just say they moved on?
Some consider being a student a profession, so when I graduate can I say that I “retired” from school? Slapping the label of “retirement” seems unnecessary, and a bit dramatic – but I guess they are actors and actresses, who cannot completely leave all dramatics on-screen.
Actors and actresses aren’t the only ones plagued by this. Remember Brett Favre? Yeah, he actually did retire – although I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he randomly shows up on the roster for a different team in the NFL, particularly one that would stab the knife deeper into the back of the Packers. The Bears perhaps? Never say never – it could happen.
However, he is arguably the best example, and most recent, of an athlete who flip-flopped his decision more than a handful of times.
He should have called it quits – for real – after the Packers. Now his name is mud to some fans, so much so that people call him Judas.
He is the real life “boy who cried wolf,” because by the time he said he was ready to retire, people were ready to call his bluff. I definitely didn’t believe him.
Why should I have? He had so many times beforehand, and had yet to do it, so why should I have believed him? I thought it was going to take a serious injury, like a broken collarbone or shoulder, to prevent him from playing another season. However, he actually did it on his own.
This is the exact situation that fame obsessed people want when they announce they are retiring: attention and whining about
their decision.
So then they change their minds. And then they change them again.
Do us all a favor, and maybe have a conversation or internal struggle with yourself OFF camera. Don’t have a cameraperson whip out a camera to film what your new life plan is.
Guess what – I don’t care (although one can argue that I do because I am writing a column about it, to which I would say touché with a tone of bitterness).
If a person in the real, normal world decided to change careers or life path, most wouldn’t doubt their decision. I seriously doubt, and will continue to be skeptical of the rich and famous when they announce big new life plans.
It’s like a New Year’s resolution – it’s all talk until it actually happens. In this case, seeing is definitely believing.