What is Justin talking about? He explains in Talkin’ Sports

Don't be Angry, Celebrate the Memories

n a perfect world every professional franchise will get to keep their superstar player throughout their entire career. The unfortunate part, though, and almost absolute, is that we do not live in a perfect world.

The Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter’s of the world who played for one team their entire career is just not the norm and probably never will be. The literal “GOATS” in their sports, guys like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana and now even Tom Brady, who we very much know as a Bull, Oiler, 49er and Patriot even left those teams later in their careers. Heck, the legendary Babe Ruth 100 years ago was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees.

So then why did a lot of us have it in our Hearts that Freddie Freeman and Matt Ryan would stay in Atlanta forever and now feel betrayed? (I know, I know, you knew both were leaving.) Because as a fan that is all we really knew and could envision. It is familiar in our brains and familiarity is easier to visualize then change. I mean how could Freeman ever don Dodger blue or Yankee pinstripes? Could never happen, right? Just seems crazy. Ryan throwing passes in another jersey? Come on, No way! As the great Terrell Owens once famously said, “that’s my quarterback.”

The naivete is that many of us will continue to get fooled by our hearts and eyes. No matter how many times Lucy pulls the football away from Charlie Brown, “Chuck” will continue to believe that was the last time.

With all of that said, I have no issues at all when these guys leave and even when it is for the money. Professional careers are fleeting and the hour glass continually runs lower on sand. Guys in their late 20’s these days are already referred to as grizzly veterans and deemed as “old”. So, you absolutely should have the right to get yours or as the young kids these days say, “get the bag.” After all, every one of these guys are a play away from the end of it all in literally the blink of an eye. lis is in far better shape in terms of competing and winning a Championship than the Falcons are. Truth be told the Dirty Bird window closed after 2017. There hasn’t been a consistent running game and the wide receiver carousel has been pretty bad after guys like Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley have had their share of injuries and issues. Meanwhile the Colts boast an elite running back in Jonathan Taylor, an extremely physical and talented defense and were only pretty much in need of a quality Quarterback. So why should an ancient 37 year old Ryan with a closing window have stayed here?

Instead of being upset and feeling scorned by Freeman and Ryan and eventual others, maybe just say thank you. Thank you for staying as long as you did. Thank you for giving all that you gave to the franchise and the city. Thank you for winning a World Championship last year. Thank you for almost winning a championship in 2016. Thank you for all of the memories over these past 15 or so years. Just a big Thank you.

The good news, though, is that Trae Young will never leave us. I can really feel it in my Heart!

Justin Hanover is a sports reporter/analyst who has worked in the business since 1996. His stops have included ESPN, CNN, 790 The Zone and 680 The Fan. He has also done play-by-play analysis and color commentary ranging from the high school level all the way through the professional level. Justin lives in Smyrna with his wife and three children.