Other than the news programs I see on the television screens when I’m working out at the gym, I’m pretty much a current events cripple save for what’s going on in the world of sports. I’d much rather watch Sports Center any day than constantly negative news (aka CNN.) Three different-but-similar sports stories captured my interest last week. Each one involved a personality who was leaving the game: one willingly, one probably and reluctantly, and one because he had to. The irony led me to think of the parable about the talents, which is pretty remarkable since I’m not at all religious and certainly don’t know my way around the Bible.

Thirty-year-old Calvin Johnson, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, retired after nine seasons. Though only two of them were winning seasons for the team, Johnson was invited to the Pro-Bowl six times and holds 15 NFL records, including most yards received in a season, 1,964. His humility and integrity were obvious in that he did not hold a press conference to announce his decision to retire, but instead issued a thoughtfully written statement in which he acknowledged his gratitude for those who helped him along the way. Moreover, he returned a portion of his signing bonus to the Lions, which I thought interesting and quite an admirable thing to do.

Drafted in 2007 like Johnson, Oakland Athletics pitcher Jarrod Parker’s career more than likely ended this week, though completely unplanned for and quite unexpectedly. Having already undergone two Tommy John surgeries on his pitching arm, Parker first broke his elbow last May and then again on Friday, just twelve pitches into yet another comeback attempt. My heart breaks for this young man, because when he’s healthy, he’s good: a cumulative 25-16 record over three partial seasons, and even going 19 straight games without a loss, a team record. But an athlete’s health is as important as his talent, if not more. I can’t imagine any team risking an investment in Jarrod Parker. He’s only 27.

Perhaps the sorriest story is that of Johnny Manziel, former quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who just can’t seem to get his act together and grow up. Winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy only two years ago and drafted with the highest of hopes, Manziel has squandered the many opportunities his team gave him to get clean and sober. The Browns paid him big bucks to deliver, and for one reason or another, he couldn’t. Or wouldn’t. At any rate, no team wants him, so the Browns placed him on waivers yesterday. He’s 23.

Each of them was blessed with the incredible talent necessary to become a professional athlete and do what they do best in front of millions of fans and get paid! One developed his the best he could and reaped an abundance of rewards. Another had the desire and the willingness to do whatever it took–including a couple of surgeries–but life is not not panning out as planned. Hopefully his tenacity will help him overcome this sad hurdle and put him in a position where his talents can be utilized in another capacity. The third made a series of poor choices that completely obliterated the talent he’d been blessed with. His future is up to him and anyone’s guess.

I couldn’t help but think about my own talents…not in a conceited way, but more like an inventory assessment. I pondered whether they were being used effectively, particularly at this stage of my life. I’ve got a couple of projects that I’m developing and that have me pretty jazzed. They have all the components of things I love to do: have fun, be with people, write, put things together, have fun. Oh, did I say ‘have fun’ twice?

Back to the parable…the master was so pissed with the slovenly servant that he stripped him of what talent he had left and threw him out ‘to the darkness.’ Interpret that as you will. Everyone’s darkness is different and is, in essence, the pits. Complete darkness. Hopefully Johnny Manziel and others like him will eventually see the light and opt for a Hail Mary pass before time runs out. After all, miracles happen all the time. But you first have to want them.