15 Young Star Athletes Who Could Surprisingly Retire by 2016

15 Young Star Athletes Who Could Retire By 2016

Some walk away from the game because they have to, but some, they just walk off the field, court or skate off the rink for little apparent reason. Although their departures are unpredictable, let’s predict who’ll be the next 15 to leave their game before it was time.

15 Young Star Athletes Who Could Retire By 2016

Some walk away from the game because they have to, but some, they just walk off the field, court or skate off the rink for little apparent reason. Although their departures are unpredictable, let’s predict who’ll be the next 15 to leave their game before it was time.

15. J. R. Smith

Although J. R. Smith is a shooter, and shooters figuratively play in the NBA forever, Smith is also one weird duck. From wandering clueless during stretches of the 2015 NBA Finals and making egregious mental error after egregious mental error, don’t be surprised if Smith just walks away from money for no apparent reason.

15. J. R. Smith

Although J. R. Smith is a shooter, and shooters figuratively play in the NBA forever, Smith is also one weird duck. From wandering clueless during stretches of the 2015 NBA Finals and making egregious mental error after egregious mental error, don’t be surprised if Smith just walks away from money for no apparent reason.

14. Reggie Bush

Injury-riddled and dispatched by the Detroit Lions, if Bush doesn’t break training camp near the top of the San Francisco 49ers' depth chart, why wouldn't he channel his charisma and bolt for the booth?

14. Reggie Bush

Injury-riddled and dispatched by the Detroit Lions, if Bush doesn’t break training camp near the top of the San Francisco 49ers' depth chart, why wouldn't he channel his charisma and bolt for the booth?

13. Trent Richardson

Do you view Trent Richardson as a star? Well, Richardson’s stardom was consensus in 2012. Just 24-years-old but already on his third team, Richardson might be the youngest qualified journeyman in the NFL. And with most journeymen, it's move on or move out.

13. Trent Richardson

Do you view Trent Richardson as a star? Well, Richardson’s stardom was consensus in 2012. Just 24-years-old but already on his third team, Richardson might be the youngest qualified journeyman in the NFL. And with most journeymen, it's move on or move out.

12. Nick Young

Nick Young runs hot and could burn out of an entire supply of swag sooner rather than later. Stay at home dad duties for Iggy Izalea? Now that’s not a bad gig.

12. Nick Young

Nick Young runs hot and could burn out of an entire supply of swag sooner rather than later. Stay at home dad duties for Iggy Izalea? Now that’s not a bad gig.

11. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby seems old but is just 27. Plagued by concussions, the next coming of Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky could be cut short by another head injury.

11. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby seems old but is just 27. Plagued by concussions, the next coming of Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky could be cut short by another head injury.

10. Marshawn Lynch

Beast Mode has hinted at retirement before, and if his ‘Call of Duty’ career takes off, he just might follow through.

10. Marshawn Lynch

Beast Mode has hinted at retirement before, and if his ‘Call of Duty’ career takes off, he just might follow through.

9. Eric Reid

The pensioners plague has hit the San Francisco 49ers before many surprising retirees could’ve even qualified. Will Eric Reid be next? Possibly. Reid went on record with the San Francisco Chronicle saying he’s considered giving up on his playing career after sustaining three concussions.

9. Eric Reid

The pensioners plague has hit the San Francisco 49ers before many surprising retirees could’ve even qualified. Will Eric Reid be next? Possibly. Reid went on record with the San Francisco Chronicle saying he’s considered giving up on his playing career after sustaining three concussions.

8. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel is more celebrity than NFL quarterback and loaded with oil money. If Manziel doesn’t develop as a QB it's okay -- the future Browns' flameout is set for life.

8. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel is more celebrity than NFL quarterback and loaded with oil money. If Manziel doesn’t develop as a QB it's okay -- the future Browns' flameout is set for life.

7. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony considers himself a business man. Okie dokie. I’ll agree that Anthony is a selfish player and I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Melo makes the selfish move to retire and catch up on those "business ventures."

7. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony considers himself a business man. Okie dokie. I’ll agree that Anthony is a selfish player and I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Melo makes the selfish move to retire and catch up on those "business ventures."

6. Carlos Gomez

Injury prone and now a journeyman, maybe CarGo's journey stops in Milwaukee. At least in the MLB.

6. Carlos Gomez

Injury prone and now a journeyman, maybe CarGo's journey stops in Milwaukee. At least in the MLB.

5. Von Miller

Okay, the whole farting thing was funny. But Von Miller seemed pretty fed-up with Denver's policy against flatulence. Toilet humor aside, linebacker in the NFL is the most grueling and demanding job in sports. Miller could easily burn out and then fade away.

5. Von Miller

Okay, the whole farting thing was funny. But Von Miller seemed pretty fed-up with Denver's policy against flatulence. Toilet humor aside, linebacker in the NFL is the most grueling and demanding job in sports. Miller could easily burn out and then fade away.

4. Stephen Strasburg

Strasburg is set to collect $7.6 million through 2015 and will then be eligible for arbitration in ’16. In 2017 Strasburg could be a free agent, but how many more tweaks and tears is Strasburg willing to endure?

4. Stephen Strasburg

Strasburg is set to collect $7.6 million through 2015 and will then be eligible for arbitration in ’16. In 2017 Strasburg could be a free agent, but how many more tweaks and tears is Strasburg willing to endure?

3. Derrick Rose

One more injury could mark the end of Derrick Rose’s turbulent career. Two years remain on Rose’s contract, but an informal retirement could commence upon another knee injury.

3. Derrick Rose

One more injury could mark the end of Derrick Rose’s turbulent career. Two years remain on Rose’s contract, but an informal retirement could commence upon another knee injury.

2. Rob Gronkowski

Gronk has aggressively built his brand since his last serious injury. Yet is there any subtext to this? It’s obvious Gronkowski has a future outside of football and now with a Super Bowl ring, "Party Gronk" possesses the leverage to walk away.

2. Rob Gronkowski

Gronk has aggressively built his brand since his last serious injury. Yet is there any subtext to this? It’s obvious Gronkowski has a future outside of football and now with a Super Bowl ring, "Party Gronk" possesses the leverage to walk away.

1. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson could be Big D or bust. Unhappy as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson may just sit at home and sit out his contract. If Peterson doesn’t get what he wants, then this salty child abuser may become our next early retiree.

1. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson could be Big D or bust. Unhappy as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson may just sit at home and sit out his contract. If Peterson doesn’t get what he wants, then this salty child abuser may become our next early retiree.