Once Weres

Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, and Kobe Bryant.

They've been getting a lot of press lately, and it's all for the same reason. They're old and their bodies are starting to fail them.

It wasn't that long ago that everyone was wondering how many Super Bowls Manning would win. The answer to that question now looks like ONE. He's had great success at quarterback over the years, but getting back to the Super Bowl, and actually WINNING another one seems remote at this point. His team has a chance again this year, but even if that happens, he might not be its quarterback.

Tiger Woods had the most incredible start to his career. People were wondering how many years it would take him to pass Jack Nicklaus for the most major titles of all-time. He was so far ahead of Nicklaus' pace that it wasn't even a contest...

...but then injuries happened, and domestic unrest. He had his 40th birthday yesterday, and there are rumors that he can barely walk. The rehab from his latest back surgery, which was months ago, hasn't even started yet. It isn't even scheduled yet. And a once promising career is now most likely over.

There are younger, better golfers now, and the sport has grown passed him. And Jack Nicklaus's records once more look very safe.

And then there's Kobe. He has had the career that everyone thought he would. His scoring and  championships are legendary. But even he can't control the effects left by years of injuries. He's on his farewell tour this year, playing an aging guard on one of the worst teams in the league. Fans voting has left him atop the All-Star balloting. That's his last hurrah.

They were all great once. Their careers are all  ending with a whimper.