In the weeks leading up to Christmas, apparently, San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was devoid of the spirit of the season. During the third quarter of his team’s game against the rival Los Angeles Rams on December 12, Campbell refused to take the field and enter the game, thus committing the cardinal sin of competitive sports — quitting on his team.
When 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called his number to enter the game, Campbell refused and walked off the sidelines into the locker room. When asked if this had ever happened to him before, Shanahan responded, “No. It was Campbell’s choice. He decided to quit on the team and refused to play.”
Campbell had been starting all season but was not in the starting lineup because linebacker Dre Greenlaw had returned from injury and got the start. When Greenlaw was injured, as his backup, Campbell was summoned to play, but he refused and walked off.
Seems obvious that Campbell didn’t get the memo that the second Friday in January each year is recognized as “Quitters Day” and decided to start the celebration a month ahead of time.
Research suggests that activities of setting New Year’s Resolutions began some 4,000 years ago with the ancient Babylonians. More recent studies reveal that exercising more (38%), losing weight (33%), and eating healthier (32%) are the most common resolutions in today’s world. If one of those has already gone by the wayside from your own list of resolutions – take heed; come this Friday, you won’t be alone.
As the second Friday in January, this Friday, January 10, is officially known as ‘Quitters Day’ and is set aside annually to mark the most likely day for people to give up on their New Year’s resolution. Athletically, research conducted by Strava, the social network for athletes, discovered the second Friday in January was the fateful day when most quitters’ motivations begin to falter.
Believing that winners, whether in sports or any other pursuit, possess an unwavering commitment to their goals, even in the face of setbacks and difficulties, renowned football coach Vince Lombardi uttered his famous quote. “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
However, it was another former football coach, now more famously known for his work as an ESPN football analyst, Lee Corso, who often comically adds, “Not so fast, my friend!” Tis these half dozen words that give pause to even some of sport’s greatest athletes who themselves fell victim to the ides of quitter’s day.
Perusing the internet can lead to a plethora of examples detailing instances when even some of the famous athletes of our time took a page from the Quitters Day manual, a few of which follow:
Jorge Posada – the winner of five World Series and five All-Star appearances in 17 MLB seasons, the Yankees former catcher made a May 2011 blunder he no doubt regrets. On that day, he pulled himself from the lineup, declining to play when manager Joe Girardi dropped him to ninth in the batting order.
Jon Kruk – the likable, overweight, chain-smoking first baseman was a fan favorite and three-time All-Star. On July 30, 1995, in the middle of his 10th MLB season, Kruk hit a first-inning single for the Chicago White Sox. Afflicted by a pair of bad knees, he hobbled down the baseline, stood on first, and promptly walked off the field, retiring from the game. Kruk finished his career with an average of exactly .300 and 100 home runs.
Mike Wallace – the former Miami Dolphins wide receiver, often got upset about lack of playing time. During a 2014 December game against the Jets, after not receiving a pass during the first half, he told his coach, Joe Philbin, that he no longer wanted to play in the game. He then refused to answer postgame questions from the press, asking a teammate to speak for him. He was soon thereafter traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
Rory McIlroy – Between fantastic seasons in 2012 and 2014, 2013 was a disaster. He finished 25th at the Masters, missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, lost the opening round of World Match Play, and was struggling at the Honda Classic, shooting seven-over after eight holes. After knocking a shot into a water hazard, McIlroy stormed off the course, citing a toothache.
Jose Reyes – On September 28, 2011, the Mets shortstop hit a first-inning bunt single and pulled himself from the game to preserve a slim lead he held in the batting race, drawing a very mixed reaction from the crowd. His actions were ‘rewarded’ as his closest pursuer went 0-4 while playing the entire game.
Bobby Isaac – owning 73 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins during his Hall of Fame racing career, Isaac was holding a 90-lap lead at the 1973 Talladega 500 when he suddenly pulled into the pits, got out of his car, and quit. He told his car owner, Bud Moore, “I heard a voice tell me to park this thing, and that’s exactly what I did.”
While the Quitters Day observance is a bit tongue-in-cheek, athletes and resolution makers alike can all get stronger both mentally and physically by heading Lombardi’s rationale of unwavering commitment to their goals – whatever they may be.
Quitting takes but an instance – but its actions will always linger.
