No better way to call it quits in the NBA than… with an original country music song?
Earlier this month, former NBA player Meyers Leonard announced his retirement from the game of basketball. The 33-year-old was the 11th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and started his career with the Portland Trailblazers. He went on to play for the Miami Heat for two seasons, and then finished out his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.
He also got canceled at some point in the later years of his NBA career, but we won’t get into that.
Leonard, who hadn’t played since 2023, decided that now was as good a time as any to call it quits from professional basketball. And it didn’t take him long to find his fall back. In fact, he announced his retirement from the NBA by dropping an original country music song called “Good in Goodbye.”
His Instagram post about his retirement read as follows:
_**“I knew after the Milwaukee season that I couldn’t play basketball anymore. It was the hardest decision I never had to make – because my body made it for me. At first, I wasn’t planning to say anything. I figured people would assume as time passed. But what I’ve come to realize is that while my body told me to hang it up, my heart wasn’t ready.**_
_**Learning to sing and song write has given me a chance to reflect on everything basketball has given me – and how every goodbye has led to something good. Leaving my small hometown to play for the University of Illinois led to meeting the love of my life. Leaving college early for the NBA gave me the opportunity to take care of my entire family. Leaving Portland for Miami gave me the chance to compete in the Finals and play the best basketball of my career.**_
_**And now, leaving the NBA has given me the greatest blessing of all – the chance to be the father I never had, to fall asleep next to my beautiful wife every night, and to spend time with the most important people in my life. This song is a thank you – to basketball, the fans, my teammates, my family, the organizations, and everyone who believed in a young kid from Robinson, Illinois. I love and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. Cheers to the next chapter.”**_
Has the world ever seen a professional athlete hang it up by dropping an original country music song? The only other example I can think of that’s even close is former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. Maybe we’re going to see more and more athletes putting down their sport and picking up a guitar and a cowboy hat? And let’s be honest, unless you’re on a team with Jimmy Butler, there isn’t a lot of country music bumping across NBA locker rooms.
And “Good In Goodbye” is not the worst song I’ve ever heard. Is it the best? No… definitely not. But at the very least, it’s a unique way for a former pro to write a love letter that both honors their career and says goodbye to it. I’m also not sure how to feel about Meyers Leonard’s voice.
Take a listen for yourself and see what you think:
That’s a really deep country music singing voice.
It’s got a little Kermit the Frog singing Josh Turner at karaoke night? Or even Fozzie Bear doing his best Scotty McCreery impersonation? To be clear, it’s not bad… it’s just _so deep_ that it’s a tad distracting in my opinion. And yeah, Leonard, a southern Illinois native, does have a rather deep voice so I’m not saying it’s phony either… just distracting. I wish nothing but the best for Meyers’ in his post-NBA country music career.
If you thought “Good In Goodbye” was a one-off, you’d be wrong my friend. He’s apparently got another one titled “Honky Tonk at Home” coming out at the end of March:
If there’s an award at the CMA’s for “Best Pro Athlete Turned Country Music Singer with The Deepest Voice,” Meyers Leonard has got that puppy LOCKED UP.