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Tuesday, September 25
Updated: September 26, 9:41 AM ET
 
How others fared in comebacks

Associated Press

Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson wasn't the same player in his comeback.
First time around: 1979-1991, Los Angeles Lakers
Comeback: 1995-1996, Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights: One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history ... Member of five NBA world championship teams ... Three-time MVP ... Retired at age 32 after being diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS ... Returned after sitting out four years to play 32 games in 1995-96 when he averaged a career-low 14.6 points.

Mario Lemieux
First time around: 1984-1997, Pittsburgh Penguins
Comeback: 2000-present, Pittsburgh Penguins
Career highlights: Six-time scoring champion ... Two-time playoff MVP ... Won three regular-season MVP awards ... Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame, 1997 ... Missed parts of two seasons 1989-91 recovering from back injury ... Missed most of 1992-93 season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease ... Missed 1994-95 season recovering from cancer treatment ... Back in 1995 to play two more seasons and win scoring championships both years ... Retired in 1997 at age 32. ... Sat out three seasons ... Became owner of Penguins ... Returned midway through 2000-2001 season, scoring 35 goals in 43 games.

Sugar Ray Leonard
When: 1977-1982; 1984; 1987; 1988-1991.
Career highlights: Welterweight gold medalist, 1976 Olympics ... Won welterweight championship, 1979 ... Retired in 1982 because of detached retina. ... Returned for one fight in 1984 and then retired again ... Returned to win WBC middleweight championship in 1987 and then retired again ... Returned again to win WBC light heavyweight and super middleweight titles in 1988 ... Retired for good in 1991.

Muhammad Ali
When: 1960-1970; 1970-1978; 1980-81.
Career highlights: Light heavyweight gold medalist, 1960 Olympics ... Won heavyweight championship, knocking out Sonny Liston, 1964 ... Defended title eight times in next 20 months ... Stripped of title for resisting military draft ... Retired in 1970 ... Returned to ring later that year knocking out Jerry Quarry ... Lost 15-round decision to Joe Frazier, March 8, 1971 ... Knocked out George Foreman, Oct. 30, 1974 to win back heavyweight title ... Lost title to Leon Spinks, Feb. 15, 1978 and regained it for third time Sept. 15 ... Announced second retirement ... Returned to challenge champion Larry Holmes Oct. 2, 1980, losing in 11 rounds. ... Retired for good in 1981 after losing final fight to Trevor Berbick.

Reggie White
Reggie White
Reggie White's return lasted one season with the Panthers.
First time around: 1985-1998, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
Comeback: 2000 Carolina Panthers
Career highlights: Led NFL with 21 sacks in 12 games in 1987 ... Set NFL record with 192.5 career sacks in 14 seasons ... Retired after helping Packers to consecutive Super Bowls 1997-1998 ... Returned for one season with Carolina Panthers in 2000, adding 5.5 sacks to complete career with 198.

Ryne Sandberg
First time around: 1981-1994, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs
Comeback: 1996-1997, Chicago Cubs
Career highlights: Elected to 10 straight All-Star teams, 1984-1993 ... Led National League with 19 triples, 114 runs scored in 1984 ... Led league with 40 home runs, 115 runs scored in 1990. ... Retired at age 35 in 1994 with .290 career batting average and 2,080 hits ... Returned in 1996 to play two more seasons with career-low batting averages of .244 and .264.






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