Hats off, Annika

As someone who could barely even play sports competitively at the high school level, I didn't have much choice as to when I had to stop playing competitively. At the end of high school, that was it.

I understand that even having this job probably has something to do with a desire to still be a part of the sports I was never very good at to begin with.

With that in mind, I've never understood athletes who walk away from the things they do so well when they still have good days in front of them. Understand them, I do not. Respect them, I certainly do.

So it surprised me Tuesday to hear that Annika Sorenstam was retiring from golf at the end of this year. But my next thought was, "Good for her."

At 37 she is maybe entering the tail end of her prime as a golfer. There is so much more she could do -- tournaments to win, majors to win, lots of money to be made -- but none of that seems to matter.

"The reason for this decision is I have other priorities in my life," she said. "I have a lot of dreams I want to follow and want to live. I'm getting married in January. Mike and I want to start a family."

I have to say, that's refreshing. You see too many athletes hold on for too long, and it's a shame. More importantly, you see too many athletes and coaches put their personal lives in peril continuing to pursue more wins and more money.

It sounds like Annika wants to pursue something more important -- love and family.

I think the main reason most of us watch sports is that we see in these athletes a bit of what we want to see in ourselves.

But now looking at Sorenstam, we can see what we really should -- a person remembering what's really important in life.

Remember, "it's only a game."