Antonio "The Mack" Womack
	October 14, 2005

Madden after 40.........

One day I was reviewing the Madden DataBase and noticed that the average age of the ballers fell between, 25 to 29. Being the ripe age of 48, getting closer and closer to that magical 50-yard line, makes you think a lot about such matters of youth verses senescence.

But I realized I am not alone.....the BFL had a few +40 ballers as well as the NFL, "Jerry Rice", and the NBA, "does the name Jordan, ring a bell?

Now I'm not trying to equate, my madden skills with the professional majesty of a Jordan or Rice, if that was the case I would have hung it up after the first season. No, I'm pondering something a little more intricate than wins and defeats. Something that can only be gathered through the aging, (or more correctly) the maturing process. Something deeper than stick control or the ability to run up the score.

Time adds to the passion of the game what youth takes away through audacious impunity. Younger ballers seem to enjoy the moment, the rush of a quick pass the trill of victory / defeat. The louder the better, the more humiliation you can muster the better. "In your FACE" Bro., all in the name of sportsmanship, fun, stress release? Hum... I wonder, is that all they get out of the game?

Now, I’m writing in general terms, and I, in no means mean to degrade or demean some of the skills innovative ballers I have met in their late teens or early 20's. These ballers represent the future of the game and we need them to replenish our leagues. Which leads me to one of my main points.

If you are a Madden Baller at the 40 plus yard line of life, going up against this new hybrid breed, Hip-Hop, generation X, there is hope. And just in case your contemplating hanging it up, I'm here to ask you to stay if you still have the passion for the game even though the real world elements don't afford you that competitive edge.

Elements such as an understanding spouse (or kids), time to yourself or a job you don't have to take home. "Oh to be 21 again and Single".

If you have lost all the simple pleasures of life, that’s the reason to stay. There is a victory in every defeat. One for the victor and one to the conquered. It’s a victory to me because I’m still in the hunt; I am still in the mix. And I LOVE IT!

I know to some it may sound like the prizefighter that fought one more fight than he should have. But as I listen to Emmitt Smith at his retirement he recalls that until you lose the love, the battles are all you have left.

So 40 plus ballers fight the battles, stay in the hunt, be apart of the game. It’s not over until you lose, if ever, the "LOVE OF THE GAME".

THE MACK, P.F.L.

Antonio M. Womack, "The Mack" is a founding member of the P.F.L. and often shares his views and thoughts on the World of Madden.

Check out his previous articles: "For The Love of the Game"
"She Can Have The House...(Just Leave Me My John Madden & PS2"

Email "The MACK" about this article.
Voice my thoughts at the Madden Forum