Why are people so ticked off at NASCAR’s elder statesman Mark Martin and the NFL’s Brett Farve? I think it’s because these two old geezers decided to change their minds about retirement.

As I approach my own retirement over the next decade, it occurs to me that I may have some of those same misgivings. After all, if you have spent most of your adult life working, retirement can be a problem.

I will not lie to you; I have trouble with long weekends. I enjoy what I do so I have never considered it work. I am afraid I will be just like Bear Bryant. He retired and was deader than a doornail thirty days later.

Lots of folks seem to be getting tons of grief about hanging it up, whether it is a racing helmet or a jock strap. Even poor old Coach Bobby Bowden, who literally put Florida State University on the map, is catching hector from some of his staunchest supporters of late. To be fair, Bobby has had a better year or two in his career.

You cannot convince me that Brett Farve has lost anything off his game. Yes, he is older, slower and much greyer in the hair, but judging by his performance against his old team, the Green Bay Packers, on Monday Night Football earlier this year, you cannot truly say the old boy has lost much at the age of 40.

Farve holds practically every record in the books already, so it is not like he is chasing after anything there, including the record for consecutive starts.

Cal Ripkin, Jr. was nicknamed the Iron Man for doggedly remaining in the lineup despite numerous minor injuries over his career as a shortstop and third baseman. He played 2,632 games before he voluntarily removed his name from the lineup for the final Oriole’s home game in 1988. His record spanned games for 17 seasons from 1982 to 1998.

Hendrick Motor Sports’ Mark Martin had already won five races in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, which seems to be dominated by drivers less than half his age. Still, he led the Sprint Cup standings going into the chase and looks like he has a legitimate shot at winning his first championship at the ripe old age of 50.

Why do people hang on beyond their time? What is it that drives a Bobby Bowden, for instance, to put up with all the verbal abuse and negative Press from people who once worshiped the ground on which he walked?

There is an old saying in the speaking business: “Leave ’em wanting more!” Bowden wanted to go out with another National Championship and the all-time victory record. Penn State Coach Joe Paterno and the NCAA have pretty much taken care of the victory total issue. Paterno holds the all-time edge and the NCAA honchos have docked Bowden for enough wins over a recent academic scandal that he would be hard pressed to catch the Nittany Lion head coach anyway.

Based on their performances this year fans at both Penn State and Florida State might be just as happy if both men faded into the sunset. But, my guess, just like Bear Bryant, they would be taking an overdue dirt nap shortly afterward if that happened.

These men work because it is not work that they are doing. It is more of a hobby for which they are handsomely paid. Paterno has donated over $4 million to Penn State over the years, so it is not about money. He already holds what may now be an insurmountable victory record, so it cannot be about victories.

I think it boils down to one thing: this is all these men know. Farve loves playing on Sunday’s. Martin loves running races. Paterno loves teaching athletes. Bowden loves winning football games. They would literally lose their way without what the French call raison d’être, meaning a reason to be.