A History of Athletes Retiring as Champions

No matter how many individual accolades an athlete achieves over their careers many, if not all, would say that they would gladly trade most of them for just one championship. Just one opportunity to be crowned the respective king(s)/queen(s) of their respective realm, and for at least one day, be at the absolute pinnacle of their profession. Some athletes who achieve this pinnacle aren’t satiated, they instead go back for more, only to realize that it is extremely difficult to win it all and leave the game on their own terms.

Take Michael Jordan for example, the greatest of all time had the opportunity not once, but twice to walk away from the game as a champion. Instead he returned a third time with the Wizards, and probably couldn’t have been farther from a championship. The same fate befell Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jackie Robinson, and Jim Brown, all couldn’t escape the allure of the game. So, in celebration of John Elway’s birthday we look back on the select group of athletes who in many cases rolled the dice and came out on top, the one’s who left the game in a fashion that all who play desire. From David Robinson to Joe DiMaggio, check out, A History of Athletes Retiring as Champions.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

Career years: 1915-1928
Accolades: Career record of 80-1 with 48 wins by KO, world heavyweight champion (1926-1928
Last stand: World Heavyweight Championship, July 26, 1928, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.: Gene Tunney defeats Tom Heeney by KO (11 rounds)

Gene Tunney held the heavyweight title from 1926-28, during which he fought and defeated the famed Jack Dempsey twice. His final title defense came against Tom Heeney at Yankee Stadium, where "The Fighting Marine" knocked out Heeney in the 11th round and retired with his championship in tact.

Career years: 1919-1930
Accolades: Career Grand Slam (1930), 13 Majors, nine PGA Tour titles, James E. Sullivan Award winner (1930), World Golf Hall of Fame (1974)
Last stand: 1930 US Amateur Championship, Merion Golf Club, Haverford Township, Ardmore, Pa: Bobby Jones defeats Eugene V. Homans (8 & 7)

Bobby Jones is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. Having swept the Grand Slam of 1930 at the age of 28, and being one of the founders of the Masters tournament we know today, Jones was a pioneer of the game both on and off the green. He retired after 1930, because, well, where could you really go from there? The best part was that Jones' main profession was a lawyer, he only competed at golf on the amateur level on a part-time basis.

Career years: 1932-1937
Accolades: NFL champion (1937), two-time NFL Rushing champion (1932, 1937), six-time All-Pro (1932-1937), Pro Football Hall of Fame (1968)
Last stand: 1937 NFL Championship Game, Dec. 12, 1937, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Redskins 28 Bears 21

In 1937 Cliff Battles became the first player in NFL history to rush for over 200 yards in a game; this would also be a season in which Battles would lead the Redskins to their first championship. During the '37 season Battles also captured the league rushing title en route to the championship. Unlike other athletes on this list Battles didn't retire because of old age or a feeling of career completion. He simply decided enough was enough when 'Skins owner George Preston Marshall wouldn't raise his $3,000 salary. Battles instead opted to coach the Columbia University football team for $4,000 the following season. Ah, the good old days.

Career years: 1930-1943
Accolades: Three-time NFL champion (1932-1933, 1943), four-time first-team All-Pro (1932-1934, 1936), NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963)
Last stand: 1943 NFL Championship Game, Dec. 26, 1943, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Redskins 21 Bears 42

Also recognized as a world heavyweight champion wrestler, Bronko Nagurski was an all-around athlete. After a brief retirement following the 1937 season Nagurski returned in 1943 to play for his Bears. Nagurski scored the go-ahead touchdown during the '43 championship game against the 'Skins and with that he guaranteed that he would go out on top. He would return to his wrestling career after football where he continued to excel.

Career years: 1936-1951
Accolades: Nine-time World Series champion (1936-39, 1941, 1947, 1949-1951), three-time AL MVP (1939, 1941, 1947), 13-time All-Star (1936-1942, 1946-1951), MLB record 56-game hitting streak, Pro Baseball Hall of Fame (1955)
Last stand: 1951 World Series Game 6, Oct. 10, 1951,Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.: NY Yankees 4 NY Giants 3

The "Yankee Clipper" really couldn't go out any other way but with a World Series victory. When DiMaggio's Yankees won the chip in 1951 it was their third consecutive Fall Classic, and Joltin' Joe's ninth of his career. A career .325 hitter and three-time AL MVP, DiMaggio was one of the greatest to ever play the game. His nine rings and MLB record 56-game hitting streak highlighted a career that most Major Leaguers could only dream about.

Career years: 1946-1955
Accolades: Three-time NFL champion (1950, 1954-1955), five-time Pro-Bowler (1950-1954), Pro Bowl MVP (1950), NFL 75th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1965)
Last stand: 1955 NFL Championship Game, Dec. 26, 1955, Los Angeles Coliseum, L.A.: Browns 38 Rams 14

A three-time NFL champion, Otto Graham called it quits after winning the 1954 championship. Legendary coach Paul Brown wasn't having any of that though, he called Graham out of retirement and he would go on to lead the Browns to a back-to-back title the following season. In the title game Graham tallied four total scores as the Browns bested the Rams 38-14, and this time his retirement was permanent.

Career years: 1948-1956
Accolades: Career record of 49-0 with 43 wins by KO, world heavyweight champion (1952-1956)
Last stand: World Heavyweight Championship, Sept. 21, 1955: Rocky Marciano defeats Archie Moore by KO (9 rounds)

Having never lost a professional bout during his career, Rocky Marciano was one of the greatest heavyweight champions to grace the ring. He remains the only champion to hold the heavyweight title while going untied and undefeated throughout his career. The Rock from Brockton defended his title six times, lastly against Archie Moore in a bout that ended with Moore getting knocked out after nine rounds in 1955.

Career years: 1943-1960
Accolades: Eight-time Stanley Cup champion (1944, 1946, 1953, 1956-1960), first player to reach the 50-goal mark in 50 games, Hart Trophy winner (1947), Pro Hockey Hall of Fame (1961)
Last stand: 1960 Stanley Cup Finals Game 4, April 14, 1960, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto: Canadiens 4 Maple Leafs 0

Simply put, Richard is among the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates. Montreal through and through, the "Rocket" spent nearly 20 years with the Canadiens organization, creating a dynasty and building an everlasting legacy. With eight Stanley Cups to his name Richard is heralded as more than an athlete to the city of Montreal, he's a true legend. When the Montreal Forum, which had been Richard's home for the entirety of his Canadien's career, closed in 1996 a tearful "Rocket" received a 16-minute standing ovation. Salute to a true legend and pioneer of the game.

Career years: 1949-1960
Accolades: Two-time NFL champion (1951, 1960), nine-time Pro-Bowler (1950-1955, 1958-1960), NFL Co-MVP (1960), only NFL QB to win an championship with two different teams, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971)
Last stand: 1960 NFL Championship Game, Dec.r 26, 1960, Franklin Field, Philadelphia: Packers 13 Eagles 17

The only quarterback to win an NFL championship with two different teams, Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin led the Eagles to the 1960 NFL title before retiring as a player and becoming head coach of the Vikings the following season. What, you young'ns thought Jason Kidd was the first athlete pull that move off?

Career years: 1956-1969
Accolades: 11-time NBA champion (1957, 1959-1966, 1968-1969), five-time NBA MVP (1958, 1961-1963, 1965), 12-time NBA All-Star (1958-1969), five-time NBA rebounding champion (1957-59, 1964-1965), NBA 50th Anniversary Team, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame (1975), Olympic gold medalist (1956)
Last stand: 1969 NBA Finals Game 7, May 5, 1969, The Forum, Inglewood, Calif.: Lakers 106 Celtics 108

When you think Boston Celtics the first person that should come to your mind is Bill Russell. A true "big" in every sense of the word, Russell rattled off 11 NBA championships in 13 years with the Celts. Russell's last, and perhaps most contested NBA title, came in his final season in 1969. Bill led his Celtics in seven games against the rival Lakers, and at the age of 35 Russell came away with 21 rebounds in the 108-106 victory over Jerry West and Co.

Career years: 1957-1969
Accolades: 10-time NBA champion (1959-1966, 1968-1969), five-time NBA All-Star (1962, 1964-1966, 1968), NBA 50th Anniversary Team, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame (1984)
Last stand: 1969 NBA Finals Game 7, May 5, 1969, The Forum, Inglewood, Calif.: Lakers 106 Celtics 108

Sam Jones, like Bill Russell, decided to leave the Celtics and the game of basketball following Boston's Game 7 win over the Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. Having racked up 10 NBA championships during his 12-year career, he clearly thought he had surpassed any and all career aspirations.

Career years: 1965-1972
Accolades: Nine-time Olympic gold medalist (1968, 1972), 24-time international competition gold medalist (1965-1972), World Swimmer of the Year (1969, 1971-1972), International Swimming Hall of Fame (1977), United States Olympic Hall of Fame (1983), No.33 on ESPN SportsCentury 50 Greatest Athletes
Last stand: 1972 Summer Olympics, Sept. 4, 1972, Munich: Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay (USA wins Gold Medal)

American Mark Spitz took home seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, a record that would only be bested by Michael Phelps' eight in Beijing 2008. Spitz also set world records in all seven events that he conquered, a record that remains in tact today. A three-time World Swimmer of the Year, Spitz racked up 24 gold medals in international swimming competitions between 1967-1972. He finally called it quits after his historic run during those '72 games.

Career years: 1970-1979
Accolades: Six-time Stanley Cup champion (1971, 1973, 1976-1979), Con Smythe Trophy winner (1971), Calder Memorial Trophy winner (1972), five-time Vezina Trophy winner (1973, 1976-1979), Pro Hockey Hall of Fame (1983), NCAA champion (1967)
Last stand: 1979 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5, May 21, 1979, Montreal Forum, Montreal: Canadiens 4 Rangers 1

Ken Dryden's talents extend far beyond the confines of any hockey rink, he is also an accomplished manager, lawyer, and writer. Dryden even served as a member of the Canadian Parliament from 2004-2011. While he only spent eight seasons in the NHL he certainly made the most of his time, collecting five Vezina trophies and an astounding six Stanley Cups. His last stand came in the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals against the Rangers in which he helped brush aside the Blueshirts in five games. Fun fact: This was the last Original Six Stanley Cup Final until this season.

Career years: 1977-1980
Accolades: Captain of the 1980 US Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Team, scored the winning goal in the semis against the U.S.S.R.
Last stand: 1980 Winter Olympics, Feb. 24, 1980, Herb Brooks Arena, Lake Placid, New York: United States 4 Finland 2

Mike Eruzione never played in the NHL, but when you score a goal that lifts a nation and transcends way more than sports, it's probably the best time to step away from the game you love so much. We all remember the "Miracle on Ice" as one of the most iconic sports moments of all time courtesy of Eruzione's game-winning goal against the Soviets. The win propelled the US to the final against Finland where they won 4-2 and took home gold at the famed Summer Games of 1980 in Lake Placid.

Career years: 1983-1988
Accolades: Three-time Olympic gold medalist (1988), World Championships gold medalist (1987)
Last stand: 1988 Summer Olypmics, Oct. 1, 1988, Seoul, South Korea: Women's 4 x 400 metre relay (USA wins Silver Medal)

Considered the "fastest woman of all time" based on her record-breaking performances at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Flo-Jo was the epitome of the all-American athlete. She was a beast on the track at UCLA with a flashy style to boot. After her unbelievable performance at the '88 games several suspected Joyner of steroid use, but after numerous drug tests she was cleared of any and all accusations. Joyner retired right after the Olympics and her acceptance of the 1988 James E. Sullivan Award, the honor given to the top amateur athlete in the United States.

Career years: 1983-1998
Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1997-1998), Super Bowl MVP (1998), NFL MVP (1987), nine-time Pro-Bowler (1986-1987, 1989, 1991, 1993-1994, 1996-1998), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004)
Last stand: Super Bowl XXXIII, Jan. 31, 1999, Pro Player Stadium, Miami: Broncos 34 Falcons 19

When John Elway won his first Super Bowl in 1997 the sports world would certainly have understood if he decided to retire, as he initially intended. However, in classic movie quarterback fashion, Elway led his Broncos in a successful title defense the following year before finally riding out into the sunset. The former Stanford Cardinal wasn't just on the field in 1998 to show face either, he threw for 336 yards and one touchdown, and ran in another for six. Elway deservedly took home MVP honors as well for his instrumental performance in a 34-19 beat down of the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.

Career years: 1979-2001
Accolades: Stanley Cup champion (2001), 19-time NHL All-Star (1981-1986, 1988-94, 1996-2001), Calder Memorial Trophy winner (1980), five-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner (1987-1988, 1990-1991, 1994), Pro Hockey Hall of Fame (2004)
Last stand: 2001 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7, June 9, 2001, Pepsi Center, Denver: Avalanche 3 Devils 1

Ray Bourque currently holds the records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the NHL, and after 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins he finally got to hoist the ultimate prize with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. Having played 1,612 regular season and 214 playoff games, Bourque waited longer to win the Cup than any other Cup-winning player in the 108-year history of Lord Stanley's prize. Yeah, we'd probably think then was a good time to step aside from the game too.

Career years: 1988-2002
Accolades: 64 Career titles, 14 Grand Slam titles, World No.1 six consecutive years (1993-1998), International Tennis Hall of Fame (2007)
Last stand: 2002 Men's US Open Final, September 8, 2002, Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing, Queens, N.Y.: Pete Sampras defeats Andre Agassi (6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4)

With 64 career titles to his name Pete Sampras couldn't have picked a better time to say good-bye to the game he once dominated. After beating long-time rival Andre Agassi in the 2002 US Open final, the man whom he'd met in his very first Grand Slam final 12 years earlier, Sampras left the game with his then-record 14th Grand Slam title.

Career years: 1989-2003
Accolades: Two-time NBA champion (1999,2003), NBA MVP (1995), NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1992), NBA Rookie of the Year (1990), 10-time NBA All-Star (1990-1996, 1998, 2000-2001), NBA 50th Anniversary Team, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame (2009), two-time Olympic gold medalist (1992, 1996)
Last stand: 2003 NBA Finals Game 6, June 15, 2003, SBC Center, San Antonio: Spurs 88 Nets 77

The former first overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, David Robinson dominated the paint in the '90s. With a combination of size and agility "The Admiral" took home Rookie of the Year honors in '90, was crowned Defensive Player of the Year in '92, and even took home the scoring title in '94. While it's certainly badass enough to retire from the game as a champion, it's even more badass to announce your retirement before the season begins, as Robinson did before the start of the '02-'03 season. Did we mention David Robinson is also the most recent player to score a quadruple-double in a game? That's right, 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 blocked shots in 43 minutes. Boom.

Career years: 1984-2004
Accolades: Career record of 41-2 with 32 wins by KO, undisputed world heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist (1988)
Last stand: World Heavyweight Championship, June 21, 2003, Staples Center, L.A.: Lennox Lewis defeats Vitali Klitschko by TKO (6 rounds)

Lenox "The Lion" Lewis has both held and lost the heavyweight title during his professional career. He became undisputed champion by defeating Holyfield in '99, then he KO'd Iron Mike in 2002, and finally he bested Vitali Klitschko for the last fight of his career in 2003. By the time Lenox Lewis finished off Klitschko for his last successful title defense, Vitali needed 60 stitches to his face to stop the bleeding. Yikes.

Career years: 1993-2006
Accolades: Super Bowl champion (2005), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1993), six-time Pro-Bowler (1993-1994, 1996-1997, 2001, 2004), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1996)
Last stand: Super Bowl XL, Feb. 5, 2006, Ford Field, Detroit: Seahawks 10 Steelers 21

A true force in the Steelers' run game for nearly a decade, it was only fitting that Jerome Bettis would go out on top. While he didn't score a touchdown in Super Bowl XL, he remained the driving force for the Steelers ground attack that he had been all season. By the time he was ready to call a close to his 13-year career, "The Bus" finished as the NFL's fifth all-time rusher with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns.

Career years: 1993-2007
Accolades: Super Bowl champion (2007), Defensive Player of the Year (2001), seven-time Pro-Bowler (1997-1999, 2001-2003, 2005), NFL single-season sacks leader (22.5 in 2001)
Last stand: Super Bowl XLII, February 3, 2008, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona: Giants 17 Patriots 14

While many thought that Michael Strahan had more in the tank after winning Super Bowl XLII, he decided to call it quits after leading the underdog Giants to the promised land against Tom Brady's Patriots. Also setting the single-season sacks record with 22.5 back in 2001, perhaps Strahan had accomplished all he could have hoped for during his NFL tenure. You can still get your daily dose of Michael by watching him co-host a morning talk show with Kelly Rippa. Don't lie, you already watch.

Career years: 1990-2008 (NHL)
Accolades: Two-time Stanley Cup champion (2002, 2008), six-time Vezina Trophy winner (1993-1994, 1996-2000), two-time Hart Trophy winner (1996-1997), Olympic gold medalist (1998)
Last stand: 2008 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6, June 4, 2008, Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh: Penguins 2 Red Wings 3

A six-time Vezina award winner, that's best goalie between the sticks for those keeping score at home, Domink Hasek has lifted the Stanley Cup twice during his NHL career. He became the first European starting goaltender to win in 2002 and he matched his feat six years later by lifting the Cup in his final NHL game in 2008. Once heralded by Wayne Gretzky as, "the best player in the game," Hasek was one of the best net-minders the modern game has seen. At the time of his second Cup triumph and retirement he was 43 years old.

Career years: 1996-2012
Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2000, 2012), Super Bowl MVP (2000), two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), thirteen-time Pro-Bowler (1997-2001, 2003-04, 2006-2011)
Last stand: Super Bowl XLVII, February 3, 2013, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans: Ravens 34 49ers 31

The most recent athlete to be crowned a champion and throw up deuces to the game is former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. To say Lewis has had one wild ride throughout his 16-year career in the NFL might be a bit of an understatement. From winning two Super Bowls to being charged with murder, Lewis has never strayed far from the spotlight. We're certainly going to miss his signature field entrances on game days, and the intensity he displayed on seemingly every series. He won't be too far from the game, though. Lewis will be an ESPN analyst next season.