Golden Tate Embraces Pickleball Stardom: Former NFL wide receiver Golden Tate has joined the growing trend of athletes transitioning to pickleball after retirement. Tate recently participated in the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Showdown at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas.
Tate’s Journey to Pickleball
Tate first encountered pickleball in 2010 when his girlfriend introduced him to the sport while visiting her family in Washington State. He was intrigued by a small court in their backyard and asked why they had it.
“I learned about pickleball back in 2010 when my girlfriend at the time lived in Washington State. I was over at her family’s house for dinner one night and I remember looking at this small tennis court they had in the backyard and asking them why they had a halfway tennis court.” – (Golden Tate)
“They said, ‘No it’s pickleball.’ I asked, ‘What in the world was pickleball?’ They gave me a wooden paddle and a wiffle ball and we played. I thought it was fun, but thought I’d never play it again.” – (Golden Tate)
Five years later, while living in San Diego, Tate noticed the sport’s growing popularity.
“Fast forward to about five years later and I moved to San Diego. I started seeing pickleball more. I started to play because I was getting older and I couldn’t play basketball or football the way I wanted to because my knees hurt.” – (Golden Tate)
This shift to pickleball provided him with a competitive outlet while allowing him to stay active in a sport that is easier on his body.
“This was a way for me to get competitive, have community, and have something to work towards. And now here we are, and it’s the fastest growing sport in America.” – (Golden Tate)
Therapeutic Benefits of Pickleball
Tate finds pickleball to be a perfect escape from daily stressors, offering physical activity and social engagement.
“This is what’s so great about pickleball and sports in general. It gives people an outlet to have after a long day or whatever they’re battling at home. I know as a child, sports were my getaway.” – (Golden Tate)
He believes that sports have always served as a way to decompress.
“And no matter what was happening in school, at home, between siblings, or my emotions – when I got on the football field, baseball field, and now the pickleball court, it’s like my getaway. That’s all I need, just a few hours to decompress. Hopefully that’s what pickleball does for other people, too, along with great spectating as well.” – (Golden Tate)
Tate hopes that pickleball can provide similar relief to others looking for an escape from life’s pressures.
Leveraging Football Skills for Pickleball Success
Tate’s background in football has significantly influenced his approach to pickleball. He aims to use his athleticism to overpower his opponents on the court.
“I like to overpower my opponents and use my athleticism any way I can, which can be tough because the pickleball court is so small. But, I love speeding it up and getting in hands battles. I have good hands, but I don’t always set myself up for success.” – (Golden Tate)
His experience in football has given him advantages in movement and coordination, making him a formidable player. Tate highlighted his lateral movement and hand-eye coordination as key skills in pickleball.
“I have really good lateral movement, and I’m considered the YAC (Yards After Catch) King. I also have the hand-eye coordination to track the balls. To know exactly where the ball is going to be is something I value, and I think I have an edge on. I also grew up playing a lot of ping pong, so having a little bit of that racket and paddle awareness is so useful.” – (Golden Tate)
His experience playing ping pong has also contributed to his paddle awareness, allowing him to excel in this new sport. In November, Tate showcased his skills at the celebrity showdown, further solidifying his commitment to pickleball.
His participation emphasizes the sport’s rising popularity among former professional athletes and highlights how they are embracing new challenges after their careers in competitive sports.
News in Brief: Golden Tate Embraces Pickleball Stardom
Former NFL wide receiver Golden Tate is embracing pickleball after retirement, recently participating in the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Showdown at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas.
Introduced to the sport in 2010, Tate found it a suitable alternative to basketball and football due to its lower impact on his body. He values pickleball for its therapeutic benefits and is leveraging his athleticism to succeed on the court, showcasing the sport’s growing appeal among retired athletes.
ALSO READ: Kean University’s New Pickleball Club Brings Students Together for Fun and Fitness