Don’t Call It A Comeback: Athletes That Have Come Out of Retirement

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With the recent announcement of Tom Brady returning to the NFL after a brief retirement, here's a list of some of the most notable athletes to return to the sports that they love!

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"Mr. Hockey" announced his retirement after 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings in 1971. After a brief stint working in Detroit's front office, Howe came out of retirement in 1973 and signed with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. Howe returns to the NHL in 1979 with the Hartford Whalers in the NHL-WHA merger. His sons, Mark Howe and Marty Howe, were also his teammates. Howe retired again in 1980.

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It seemed like Marshawn Lynch just couldn't decide whether he wanted to continue playing football or not. Lynch retired from the Seattle Seahawks following the 2015 season, but returned to the Oakland Raiders for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Lynch retired a second time, but never formally made it official. In December 2019, he returned to the Seahawks and rushed for four touchdowns in three regular-season and playoff games.

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Johnson announced his immediate retirement from the NBA in November 1991 after testing HIV positive. It remains a stunning moment in sports history when you consider the time and the general public's ignorance about HIV and AIDS. While he played for the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" and in some preseason games in 1992-93, Johnson, who coached the Lakers in 1994, returned to the NBA for one more year in 1995-96.

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Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals. It was only after a pause in action that he was able to accomplish this task. Phelps retired from swimming following the 2012 Olympic Games with 22 of those medals already in his possession. By 2014, however, he was ready to return and prepare for the 2016 Olympics. He won six more Olympic medals in Rio despite being charged with DUI.

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Wallace retired for the first time in 2010 after a 15-year career that included an NBA championship with Detroit in 2004. Wallace, on the other hand, came out of retirement in 2012-13 to play for the New York Knicks. Wallace only appeared in 21 games for the Knicks, with only one coming after the middle of December. During his brief return to the Knicks, he averaged 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.

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In 1987, a 38-year-old Foreman came out of retirement and returned to the ring after a 10-year hiatus. By the age of 45, Foreman had won the heavyweight title – at least in part. He's still the oldest boxer to hold a heavyweight title, and he made a mean grill while doing it. In 1997, Foreman called it a career after 76 victories, 68 of which were knockouts.

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Jordan announced his retirement from basketball in 1993, following the Chicago Bulls' third consecutive NBA title, in one of the most famous events in sports history. Jordan's choice was fueled by a lack of motivation to play and the recent death of his father. He then committed to baseball, but on March 18, 1995, he declared, "I'm back." The Bulls regained notoriety once Jordan's enthusiasm for basketball was reignited, winning three more championships in a row from 1996 to 1998.

Jordan retired for the second time after the Bulls were disbanded by general manager Jerry Krause during the 1998-99 lockout. Then his Airness said that he would never play in the NBA again, saying that he was "99.9% positive." Those.1% odds turned out to be fairly decent. Jordan left his management position with the Wizards to play his final two seasons with the team (2001-03), before retiring permanently.

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Satchel Paige is well-known for his ability to defy the passage of time, but his decision to sign a contract at the age of 62 drew considerable criticism. The Atlanta Braves' decision had a good motive: Paige, who had been out of the majors for a long time due to segregation, needed 158 days of service to be eligible for a pension. Paige was largely employed as a coach by the Braves, but he was kept on the active roster, ensuring that one of baseball's all-time greats was eventually recognized for his contributions to the game.

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Prior to the 2011 season, Pettitte announced his retirement after 16 seasons with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. The left-hander, however, was eager to return to the hill after a one-season hiatus. Pettitte returned to the Yankees for two more seasons, 2012 and 2013. In what would be his final major league season, he won 11 games in 30 starts, marking the 16th time he had won at least ten games.

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Favre declared his retirement from football in March 2008, in one of the most remarkable retirement-unretirement moments in sports history. However, reports stated that the Green Bay Packers were ready to let their superstar go, despite Favre's insistence that he still had plenty to offer the league. The intrigue surrounding Favre's planned return and the Packers' choice to not bring him back or dismiss him dominated the summer of 2008. Favre was later moved to the New York Jets, where he played for one season. Favre then went to Minnesota, where he threw for over 4,200 yards and helped the Vikings get within a game of the Super Bowl in 2009.