Written by: Jacob Nevis
Every couple of years, there is a cycle for athletes. Older athletes in the different major sports leagues begin to retire. And, with the departure of many of the older stars, there arises a need for young athletes to become superstars in their place.
Right now is no different, with many young athletes in different sports beginning their rise to stardom and fame.
In the National Football League (NFL), many fans have recently seen the departure of several older stars. Some, who used to be the face of the NFL, such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Larry Fitzgareld, have retired. This has led to the rise of certain young athletes in their place. One of those young stars who has a chance to become one of the greatest receivers the league has ever seen is Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson, drafted out of Louisiana State University by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, instantly became one of football’s best receivers. Since Jefferson burst onto the league, he has already broken some of the major NFL records. Jefferson became the first player to record 11 career games with 150 receiving yards in his first four NFL seasons. He became one of only four receivers to record 1,000 receiving yard seasons in their first four NFL seasons. Jefferson also had previously set the record for most receptions and yards in an NFL player’s first three seasons with 324 receptions and 4,825 receiving yards.
After outplaying his rookie contract and exceeding all expectations, Jefferson, during this offseason, signed an extension for a four-year $140 million contract with a yearly salary of $35 million. At only 25-years-old, Jefferson has done things most football players can only dream of. He will continue to perform as one of the NFL’s premier receivers and is already well on his path to the Hall of Fame.
In Major League Baseball this season, one young player has become one of the MLB’s most hyped up players in a while.
Paul Skenes, a pitcher drafted out of LSU by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the number one pick, has become one of baseball’s most premier aces on the mound. Skenes was called up by the Pirates this season and his debut has been nothing short of exciting.
Skenes was selected already for his first All-Star appearance and even started the game for the National League. Skenes, this season, also boasts ridiculous stats for a rookie. He has a 1.99 ERA this season and has a K-BB ratio of 176-32. Skenes is a player that baseball fans will want to keep an eye on in the upcoming seasons.
These young players are just a couple of examples of some of the rising young stars in sports. While some fans might reminisce about older players and those on their way out, sports will be just fine in the hands of these young stars.
