Perspectives – Is Marriage a Game Changer?

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.