Retired: August 14, 2006 with the Chargers on a one-day contract
Came back: August 18, 2006 with the Patriots
How he fared: Started and served as a captain on the arguably the best Super Bowl runner-up of all-time.



Retired: February 4, 2006
Came back: January 11, 2007
How he fared: In his last bout, Couture was KO'd by Brock Lesnar in one of the biggest fights in UFC history.



Retired: May 14, 2004
Came back: July 24, 2005
How he fared: Even at age 31, when most running backs can barely walk down a flight of stairs, Williams remains relatively productive. He scored four touchdowns last season for the Dolphins.


Retired: 1994
Came back: 1996
How he fared: At age 36, Ryno returned to club 25 dingers for the Cubbies in 1996.



Retired: July 24, 2005
Came back: January 2009
How he fared: This summer, we shall see.



Retired: November 7, 1991
Came back: 1996
How he fared: Johnson averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in the last 32 games of the '96 season.



Retired: March 4, 2008
Came back: July 29, 2008
How he fared: Single-handidly choked away a division title for the Jets.



Retired: Following the 2003 season
Came back: January 12, 2004
How he fared: Still was one of the league's best starters, but steroid allegations have soiled his legacy.



Retired: A few times
Came back: A few times
How he fared: Super Mario was at the absolute apex of his powers when Hodgkin's Lymphoma struck him down in 1993. In 2003, at age 37, scored 92 points in 67 games.



Retired: October 6, 1993
Came back: March 18, 1995
How he fared: Won three consecutive titles, retired, came back, won three more consecutive titles. Some believe Jordan actually made a second comeback from retirement 2001, but those people are crazy because that never actually happened. The picture above is clearly PhotoShopped.