On one extreme, there are those who do not react well to the pensioner life.
The only one after that is your funeral.
And of course, sometimes it’s not your decision to leave, it’s your employer’s.
But I imagine the dynamic is the same.
You either suffer when your career is over, or you thrive.
And there’s no doubt whatsoever on which end of that spectrum Bill Belichick landed.
That Summer of Belichick I kept yammering on about:
Has extended right into October.
With no end in sight.
He’s the new King of All Media.
He’s dominating football broadcasts with his incomparable insights, analysis and charm.
He’s visiting his son and grandchild at U. of Washington.
He even joined social media for the first time.
And above all, continuing one of the great love stories of our time.
Here is just some the latest from Jordon Hudson’s InstaFace.
A year that began with the Dynasty he build reduced to an empire of dirt.
Releasing the quarterback who had so disappointed him.
Getting treated in a documentary series about that Dynasty like he’d been dumping toxic waste into playgrounds.
And yet here he is 10 months later living the dream.
One photo speaking a hundred thousand words.
Sankaty Light behind him.
Sun setting over the Atlantic.
His lovely ladyfriend by his side.
Proudly displaying his status as a Swiftie across his chest.
Pledging his support for the brave crew of Littoral Combat Ship 27USS Nantucketupon his mighty brow.
And above all else, shines the satisfied, ear-to-ear smile of a self-actualized man.
The burdens of running a football team are someone else’s problem.
The worst record in the NFL is not his responsibility.
You have to admit, it agrees with him.
