Many people enjoy movies that end by leaving something up to the imagination. They like it when the final scene ends and it makes them think.
Me, I hate that. I didn’t fork over $74.95 on a flick so I could draw my own conclusions at the end. I’m almost convinced that directors sometimes throw up their hands after they’re done writing a script and go, “F**k it, I don’t know how to end this sh*t, so I’ll just go with the ol’ leave-it-up-to-the-imagination bit.”
Finish the movie, Mr. Director. You tell me what to think – that’s what I’m paying you for.
But when it comes to the mysterious case of Glen Coffee and his decision to suddenly retire on Friday, I don’t need to be given the why. Why does it matter?
I get why people are interested: it was a shocking move. Most players would give their left ear to have a roster spot on a NFL team. Coffee wasn’t a starter, but he was a key backup on an up-and-coming team. He also showed enough promise last year to prove that he does have what it takes to sustain a career in a very fickle profession.
But obviously he wasn’t into football anymore. Whether he lost his passion at Alabama or lost it after getting pancaked by a linebacker at a recent 49ers’ practice, the key is that he did lose his passion. He didn’t want to play football anymore and that’s that.
People always want to know why. Why did he do that? Why did she say that? What motivated them to take those actions?
In this instance, we don’t need to know the why. Some have wondered aloud why he would give up millions of dollars to play in the NFL, when Joey Weekend Warrior would kill to have Coffee’s talent. They’re flabbergasted that Coffee would want to waste his talents, when many of us can only dream about having his skill.
But here’s a better question: Why do something that you don’t have a passion for? For money? For fame? Obviously those things aren’t important to Coffee and he wants to pursue other ventures. As far as we know, we only get one life so why waste seven years in the prime of your life to do something you don’t enjoy if you can do other things?
Before anyone says it, I realize not everyone can pursue what he or she wants to do. But it’s not like playing in the National Football League is the equivalent of being, say, a sports blogger. If you don’t have the focus, the desire or the passion, you’re going to get your ass handed to you on the gridiron. So why try to stick it out? Pursue something else.
Until they’re given a reason, the media and fans will continue to ask why Coffee decided to abruptly retire. But it truly doesn’t matter.
Draw your own conclusions.
