No shit. But they are considered by many as the greatest of all time in their sports, and might not be considered as such if they quit in the middle of competition from not being mentally ready or afraid of failure.
Monica Abbott is arguably the best softball pitcher to ever live and she will retire from the game having never won a college national title nor an Olympic gold. That is incomprehensible to me. (This assumes she doesn’t plan on still playing at 43 years old when Los Angeles hosts. There will not be softball in Paris.)
I think she's still the GOAT. But at the same time I'm very disappointed she pulled herself today and damaged her legacy in my mind a bit at least.
Yep. If Tom Brady had benched himself in this past Super Bowl and Tampa went on to lose, he’d still be regarded as the GOAT but sitting out the game would be a significant talking point whenever a discussion of his legacy occurs. Here we’re talking about a gymnast who’s so good that she has four moves named for herself because evidently no other gymnast in the world can even attempt them without [uck fay]ing themselves up. Everything she’s accomplished is forever a part of her legacy. But so is walking out on her team.
Definitely tarnishes her reputation as a competitor. Admiral Schofield did this in the NCAA tournament.
If I recall, we were playing well and took the lead without him on the floor. I assume that had as much to do with it as anything. Could be wrong on my memory, but letting a hot 5 continue to play well is a little different imo.
