Game Over or Game On?
Posted by Beth Covino on Jul 11, 2016
On July 11th, David Ostrowsky, author of “Game Over or Game On?”, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding what former professional athletes are doing in retirement. “Game Over or Game On?” is subtitled: "How Pro Athletes Leave Sports and Enjoy the Game of Life." David is a former journalist with Metrowest Daily News, Patriots Gameday Weekly and the Jewish Advocate. He’s currently a Contest Specialist for Winter Wyman, a recruiting company in Greater Boston.
David interviewed dozens of star athletes such as Derek Sanderson, Tom Seaver, Warrick Dunn, and Alan Page who are now working in different industries outside of athletics. The book looks at how different athletes have leveraged their fame and success toward having a positive impact on society, whether it’s in business, community service, law or other fields. David worked on the book for two years. His impetus for the book was Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Where are they now” issue.
David noted that a 2009 poll showed that 80% of NBA players face significant financial issues upon retirement. For the NFL, 60% of players face financial problems upon retirement. This is in the face of many of these players making significant dollars during their careers.
David’s book tells the story of some pro athletes that have started wineries upon retirement, including NFL alums Rick Mirer and Drew Bledsoe.
His book goes into detail about some retired players who have made their mark upon retirement in community service on the global level (NFL’s Dikembe Mutombo who devoted time and money to fighting malaria in the Congo); regionally (Warrwick Dunn’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ helping families afford home ownership) and locally (many players coach at the local level).
David’s book was available for purchase, $16 each, and he donated $4 of each sale to our Rotary Club.