With the conclusion of another chapter of professional sports coming to an end, the 2015-2016 season may be one that sports fans everywhere will never forget. From the gridiron, the hardwood, the baseball diamond, and the lanes of an Olympic pool, almost every sport has had a notable retirement in the year of 2016.

Let’s begin on the football field. The NFL has been home to some of the most gifted athletes. However, the upcoming season, according to some, may not be the same as it once was just a season ago for the league has recently said their goodbyes to, arguably, some of the greatest players in the history of the game. First up is wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson, who was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2007, decided to hang up the cleats once and for all. Throughout his career, which consisted of six consecutive 1000 yard seasons, six pro bowls, and the single season receiving record, Johnson rightfully lived up to his nickname, “Megatron.” Next, we have Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. From his iconic Super Bowl interviews to his unbelievable ability to carry the rock and his odd obsession with Skittles, Lynch always kept the fans on their toes. Which, in this case, was a good thing. Finally, the league bid its farewell to the “Captain.” After winning last year’s Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, 39 year old quarterback Peyton Manning decided to throw in the towel. The 14 time pro-bowler holds multiple NFL passing records and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game.

However, the NFL is not the only league to lose some greats this past year. The NBA lost two iconic basketball stars who both played 15 plus seasons with their respected teams. Let’s begin with the “Black Mamba.” Kobe Bryant, the face of the Los Angeles Lakers for the past 20 seasons, said his goodbye to Lakers fans everywhere. His year-long retirement season kept Bryant in the spotlight where he rightfully belongs. The soon to be hall-of-famer found himself in the all-star game 18 times and in third place on the all-time scoring list. Next up, the “Big Fundamental,” or Tim Duncan, decided to retire from his play on the San Antonio Spurs. Known as possibly the best power forward to ever be on the court, Duncan was a 15-time all-star with five NBA titles under his belt.

Although the NFL and NBA had some of the more emphatic retirements, the sports world also lost famous major league baseball player Alex Rodriguez and one of the most decorated Olympians to this day, Michael Phelps. Rodriguez, who spent most of his career as a New York Yankee, fired off 696 homeruns and brought in 2,086 RBIs. The 14-time all star played in 2,784 total professional games. Phelps, on the other hand, put the icing on the cake to what stands to be one of the greatest Olympic careers ever. Obtaining 28 overall medals in his five Olympic appearances, Michael holds 23 golds and broke multiple records in and out of the pool.   

Sports fans everywhere will certainly miss these top athletes but will always be grateful for chance to have been able to watch them play.