Perspectives – Is Marriage a Game Changer?
14. Jan, 2010 
16 Comments
Peter Stenson
by Peter Stenson
After Tom Brady’s recent playoff debacle, speculation about the newfound marital responsibilities causing adverse effects on the field for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year are running rampant. The idea of the proverbial ball-and-chain somehow transferring to the court or field, resulting in lowered performance, is by no means specific to Brady. But is there any truth to this myth? Is marriage the kiss of death for athletes? Are children the final nails in the coffin?
Let us examine three cases of high profile athlete’s careers before and after the mutual whispering of “I do.”
Case Study A – Tony Parker. Hailing from France, Parker impacted the NBA from the first moment he took the court for the San Antonio Spurs in the ‘01-‘02 season, being selected to the NBA All Rookie Team. As a bachelor, Parker helped lead the Spurs to three NBA Championship Titles in ‘03, ‘05, and ‘07.
In the summer of ‘07, Parker married actress Eva Longoria. The following season, Parker posted a career high in points per game with 22. However, in each successive season since tying the knot, those numbers have diminished. The titles have dried up as well. Is Eva too much of a distraction sitting courtside drinking her Heineken for Parker to continue to post his once impressive averages? The evidence leads to a yes.
Case Study B – Jeff Gordon. In the mid-to-late 90’s, Jeff Gordon was unstoppable. He clinched four NASCAR Cup Series Championships in a six-year time span. He was NASCAR’s doll, promising to be the Wunderkind that racing craved.
During this impressive run, Gordon was married to Brooke Sealy, whom he met as she handed over his trophy at Daytona International Speedway. Married in 1994, Gordon and Sealy were divorced seven years later because of rumored “infidelities” on Gordon’s part.
In 2006, Gordon put on his tuxedo again and married Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch. It is here we see the marriage’s curse start to unfold. Since married to Vandebosch, Gordon has only managed to win 9 Sprint Cup races in four seasons. Compared to his 13 wins in ‘98 alone, Gordon’s recent numbers are atrocious. Perhaps we are witnessing the negative effects of a “faithful” marriage as compared to his supposed “unfaithful” union with Sealy when he was still turning left faster than any other racer.
Case Study C – Eli Manning. Coming into the NFL in ‘04, Eli has undergone a steady progression in statistical production each season. Still unmarried, Manning lead the New York Football Giants to a victory in Super Bowl XLII and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Enter wedding bells in April of ‘08 as Eli married his long-time sweetheart, Abby McGrew. This past season Manning posted career highs in nearly every statistical category, throwing for 4,021 yards, 27 touchdowns, and having a passer rating of 93.1. In contrast to Manning’s improved numbers, the Giants have not had the same success on the field since their Super Bowl run and failed to make the playoffs this season. However, you would be hard pressed to lay this shortcoming on the play of Eli.
So Eli Manning seems to buck the trend of marital misfortune on the playing field. His wife does not seem to be a lead ball strapped to his leg as he scans downfield for receivers.
Perhaps the difference between the effects of marriage on Manning compared to Parker and Gordon is the choice of a spouse. Taking nothing away from Abby McGrew, she is not an actress or model. And because of this, the Mannings exist somewhat out of the relentless scrutiny of newspapers, tabloids and blogs. Perhaps this is the answer, the key, the elusive formula to join love and continued athletic success – don’t marry a celebrity.
But it didn’t hurt Michael Jordan, though, did it? He married in 1989 and in 1996, Sport named him as the greatest athlete in the past 50 years.
True, but we wasn’t even close to faithful to her.
And she wasn’t a celebrity, was she?
I think the bigger difference in the 3 relationships is the length of time that was spent together and if they were together before the person became professional. Thoughts?
to add to that, look at Gordons first wifey…they were together before he started or right at the beginning of his Cup Racing career.
“True, but we wasn’t even close to faithful to her.”
Courtside Writer, I stand corrected. Says something about me, I guess, but I hadn’t equated marriage with faithfulness when it comes to pro athletes. LOL
Courtside Writer, I stand corrected. Says something about me, I guess, but I hadn’t equated marriage with faithfulness when it comes to pro athletes. LOL
For one thing, all these athletes were with their partners in the ‘glory days’ as well, so you can’t blame it on marriage. The trend here seems to be age…as these athletes get older, their performance weakens. Every athlete peaks, and it looks like all these athletes have, and now their age is affecting them. What about all the successful marriage stories like Michael Jordan, Shaq, John Elway…should I keep going? Don’t blame a woman…women are the reason these athletes are around!
Um, Jenn, Michael Jordan, is divorced and admitted to cheating on his girlfriend, John Elway is divorced, and Shaq has been linked to countless women. So if that is your version of success stories, then I am WORRIED about you!
Oh, one more thing Jenn, You are right, as Tupac say, “WE GOT OUR NAME FROM THE WOMAN AND OUR GAME FROM THE WOMEN!”
Courtside Writer,
All these players were married at the peak of their careers was my point. None of them I consider to be marriage role models.
And another thing…who do you blame for Tiger’s fall in recent months?
I blame Tiger for getting married way to early in life…When geeks like tiger all of a sudden have money and fame, they go on sex rampages because they could never hook up when they were young.
Geeks like Tiger? Hilarious! Probably true…it’s unfortunate his ’sex rampages’ led to the fall of his career…
I love Tiger, Warts and all!
I know it’s not politically correct but I love to watch a “bad boy athletes roided up” tournament … Tiger or anyone else can be as bad as they want … Meritocracy!
I would have to agree with Jenn about age being the elephant in the room of my article. Generally, an athlete peaks at what, 27? Of course this age may change depending upon the sport or person. I mean, look at Kurt Warner. The dude’s ninety-years old, married with a Gosselin-sized litter of kids, and I’d be tempted to say last Sunday was about as well as I’ve seen him play. What’s his story? But I guess he does have Jesus on his side.