Ending your career in style is every athletes dream, but to win the Grand Final and call it a day at the ripe age of 26, well that seems more like a nightmare.
The last time Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson touched the Sherrin in a meaningful AFL game was during the 2012 Grand Final. The Swans captured their fifth premiership that day in a 10-point win over the Hawks, a huge moment not only for the club, but for Johnson himself.
With Hawthorn threatening to close the gap in the second quarter, Johnson picked up a loose ball in the Swans’ back half and quickly pushed it forward. The play might seem simple, but it was one of the most important during Sydney’s victory, resulting in a Sam Reid goal moments later.
That was to be Johnson’s last great moment of AFL footy. Five months later, he did his knee in a preseason game, followed by rehab and five knee constructions which cost him six years of his career.
Like every cloud, this story has a silver lining, though. The Swans announced Johnson would be making his return to the side this weekend ahead of a huge game against Collingwood at the SCG, which in turn, led to a debate at the Ladbrokes office surrounding the greatest sporting comebacks.
Here’s a look at the list so far…
Alfie Langer
It was hardly a spur of the moment injury comeback, but after playing 240 games for the Broncos, Langer’s spontaneous retirement midway through the 1999 season was a shocker. It was a rough start to the season for the then 33-year old halfback, who later decided to take his talents over to the UK.
Having gone on to captain the Warrington Wolves in 2000, a much younger Wayne Bennett then did the unthinkable. Coaching Queensland during the 2001 State of Origin Series, Bennett selected Langer to play for the Maroons, which drew heavy criticism, but as we now know, great success. Langer went on to score a try during Queensland’s Game 3 series clinching victory, sending the rugby league legend off in style as he played one more season for Brisbane.
Chris Munce
Munce’s career looked to be over following a 2006 betting scandal that landed him in Sydney’s Silverwater Jail. Having won the Magic Millions in the early stages of his career, Munce spent thirty months in prison, resulting in a four year absence from the track.
In a remarkable turn of events, Munce went on to ride Descarado to a Caulfield Cup win in 2010, earning the jockey his 35th Group 1 victory.
Daniel Bryan
After suffering up to ten concussions, Daniel Bryan’s retirement from the WWE in 2015 was one of the most emotional moments for long time fans of the sport. Holding the title at the time, MRI’s revealed Bryan would have to call it quits on his 16-year professional wrestling career, forcing him to relinquish his championship in a teary farewell on Monday Night Raw.
Fortunately for Bryan and the “Yes” movement, neurologists cleared the former champion earlier in March, which allowed Bryan to compete for the first time in three years at Wrestlemania 34.
Giancarlo Stanton
Fastballs are fun when you smack them out of the park, but not when they smack you square in the face.
Former Miami Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton found that out the hard way back in 2014, as he took an 88 MPH heater to the jaw from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers.
The pitch broke multiple bones in Stanton’s face, caused serious facial lacerations and major dental work. Stanton missed the remainder of his All-Star season, but returned healthy the very next year, going on to slug 59 home runs in his final campaign with the Marlins last year.
Grant Hackett
Hackett’s struggles with addiction and mental health issues may have overshadowed what was a great career, but there’s no forgetting his return to the pool during the 2015 World Championships. After spending six years away from swimming, Hackett returned in style at the age of 35, winning bronze in both the 400m freestyle and 4 x 200m relay to claim his first medal since the 2008 Olympics.
Jason McCartney
There’s injuries, and then there’s courage, bravery and heroics.
North Melbourne defender Jason McCartney suffered third degree burns during the Bali bombings in 2002, but heroically stayed in Indonesia to help out fellow victims following the explosion.
McCartney’s only goal was to run out one last time with the Roos, which he accomplished in Round 11 against the Richmond in 2003. Exactly 237 days after the attack, McCartney booted an emotional goal during North’s narrow win over the Tigers, announcing his retirement in a post-game interview.
Jesse Hogan
Drafted with the second selection by the Demons in the 2012 mini-draft, Hogan was always pegged as a future stud up forward for the club.
Sadly, the death of his father, testicular cancer and a broken collarbone all struck within a two month span during the 2017 season, as Hogan played in just 10-games all year.
Fortunately, Hogan’s health improved, which only strengthened his resolve ahead of the 2018 season. Through 19 rounds, Hogan has kicked 42 goals and played a crucial part in Melbourne’s chase for the finals.
Magic Johnson
The Lakers were at the top of their game during the late 80s/early 90s, but Magic Johnson’s shocking HIV announcement in 1991 sent shockwaves right around the world.
Retiring immediately, Johnson stepped away from his beloved Lakers for a total of four years, before making one final return in 1996, playing a total of 32 games.
Johnson hardly went out with a bang, but his return was the feel-good story everybody loved. Despite his condition, Johnson never gave up, a true testament to his character and determination as one of the NBA’s all-time greats.
Marshawn Lynch
Beast Mode officially announced his retirement from the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, posting a cryptic picture of his cleats hanging over a telephone wire accompanied by the peace emoji.
In some parts of the world, shoes over a telephone wire holds an entirely different meaning, but Lynch’s retirement was shortlived, announcing a shock signing with the Oakland Raiders last year.
This chapter of Lynch’s career is still unfinished, and although he had a rather down season by his previous standards, the 32-year old still figures to hold the bulk share of Oakland’s carries this year.
Michael Jordan
The GOAT left the Chicago Bulls in 1993, feeling as though the game of baseball was calling his name. Failing to make it past the minor league, Jordan’s career with the bat was hardly as successful as his career with the rock, but fortunately MJ came to his senses and returned to the NBA in 1995.
What went on to happen next was no doubt history in the making. Jordan went on to claim three straight titles with the Bulls, as well as a pair of NBA MVP’s to wrap up perhaps the most famous of basketball careers.
Muhammad Ali
This is arguably the greatest comeback story in sports, as Muhammad Ali was controversially stripped of his titles in 1966 and forced to step away from boxing for refusing to draft in the Vietnam War.
After five years away from prizefighting, Ali stepped into the ring with Joe Frazier for the first time in 1971, a fight he would go on to lose by unanimous decision. Three years later following a follow up fight in the same year, The Rumble in the Jungle took place in 1974, giving way to one of Ali’s most memorable title victories, as well as the term “rope-a-dope” and of course, one of Ali’s most glorious quotes.
Niki Lauda
Sometimes miracles do happen, and in the case of Austrian Formula One driver Niki Lauda, that was certainly the case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcr6STp6v8g
As you can see, Lauda’s fiery crash at the Nurburgring in 1976 would’ve killed most men, but despite suffering serious burns, Lauda somehow emerged from the wreck and went on to race in the Italian Grand Prix three weeks later.
Peyton Manning
It’s pretty remarkable when you think about it.
At one stage we thought Peyton Manning might be done, and after missing the entire 2011 season with the Indianapolis Colts, it looked as though the future Hall of Famer would never play again.
Two Super Bowl’s later, we’re happy to say that wasn’t the case. Manning’s return from multiple neck surgeries in 2012 eventually paved the way for a second ring with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, sending Manning off into the sunset on the back of one of the NFL’s most remarkable comeback stories.
Ronaldo
By 1999, Ronaldo was already a Brazilian sensation, but constant knee injuries threatened to derail one of soccer’s biggest legends.
Between 1999 to 2002, Ronaldo missed what could have been the best part of his career. Making just 67 appearances with Inter, Ronaldo was never quite the same following further knee problems, but his eight goals in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup campaign was still a major highlight in his near 20-year stint as a professional footballer.
Tiger Woods
Unlike other athletes, sometimes golfers go through pain and injury without us even knowing it.
In 2008, Tiger Woods suffered a double stress fracture on his left tibia. He played during the U.S. Open anyway, securing a career-defining victory over Rocco Mediate on the playoff hole.
As it turns out, injury hasn’t been the only setback during Woods’ career. His 2009 cheating scandal rocked the entire world, but it also turned the old Tiger into a slicing nightmare. Woods hasn’t won a major since, but after numerous back surgeries and last years DUI, it looks as though Woods might finally be on the comeback trail after finishing tied for sixth during July’s British Open.
Triple H
Wrestling might be scripted, but quad injuries aren’t.
Triple H tore his quad during a match against Chris Jericho and Stone Cold Steve Austin during a 2001 episode of Monday Night Raw. Triple H continued the match, but the injury nearly ended the Hall of Famers career. Fortunately, HHH returned in 2002, gifting us one of the greatest pops in wrestling history and many more great matches.