Most people don't write bad stuffs on a resignation letter. He focused on the good rather than the bad. Nothing wrong with that.
And 40k/year is nothing, especially for someone who excels to the tops in a certain field/sport/game.
John Morra announces hiatus
- Thread starter Kracken
- Start date
Most people don't write bad stuffs on a resignation letter. He focused on the good rather than the bad. Nothing wrong with that.
And 40k/year is nothing, especially for someone who excels to the tops in a certain field/sport/game.
I first met John in Toronto about 2002 or 3 when he was about 13.
The talent was obvious. For those of us working on our game making gradual improvements here and there it was pretty sick to see such a small kid play runout 9 ball like a natural.
He had that super smooth stroke even back then.Made it all look incredibly easy.
And he was a good kid. Very respectful towards all us old guys as he put up his packages.
And he's been getting better every year since. in fact we haven't seen him stop improving so I think we could say he may have not yet reached his prime or his full potential.
Toronto had seen this happen 10 years earlier with Alex P and then watched the lion go on to fame and glory. But I really think John is playing as well now or even better than a 30 year old Alex.
No question his fundamentals and cuing are among the very best all time. textbook stuff.
So I don't know of any other player ever to walk away from the game that young and that good.
Its a sad statement about pool when a guy like this just walks away.If he were a football player he would be at the level of a starting quarterback in the NFL.
But what else can we say but thanks John for showing us how its done and all the best!
The talent was obvious. For those of us working on our game making gradual improvements here and there it was pretty sick to see such a small kid play runout 9 ball like a natural.
He had that super smooth stroke even back then.Made it all look incredibly easy.
And he was a good kid. Very respectful towards all us old guys as he put up his packages.
And he's been getting better every year since. in fact we haven't seen him stop improving so I think we could say he may have not yet reached his prime or his full potential.
Toronto had seen this happen 10 years earlier with Alex P and then watched the lion go on to fame and glory. But I really think John is playing as well now or even better than a 30 year old Alex.
No question his fundamentals and cuing are among the very best all time. textbook stuff.
So I don't know of any other player ever to walk away from the game that young and that good.
Its a sad statement about pool when a guy like this just walks away.If he were a football player he would be at the level of a starting quarterback in the NFL.
But what else can we say but thanks John for showing us how its done and all the best!
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I made a decision to change careers at age 27 and it was the best decision I ever made. 4 years later I would be married with a family on the way. I believe I never would've been in the position to make it all possible in my old career.
The cost of living is not cheap up where John lives. I'm sure this decision was based on his understanding of the limitations in the career of the professional pool player pertaining to family, future, and life.
Smart move. He has been doing this for over 10 years and probably seen the light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn't as bright as he would like it to be.
A few years ago Sarah Rousey was at the SBE helping in a booth. I asked if she was still playing and she said no that it was a rough life living out of a motel and traveling. She said that she had been all around the world but seen nothing except for PHs and airports. She wanted to settle down and have a life.
I was in a elevator with Ralph S and asked him if he got to see much of the city or country and he also said no as there wasn't much time. He said the same that it is hard to get out and most of the time is in the PH or hotel.
Hope the best for John. Can see him still being in pool but at a lower level.
A few years ago Sarah Rousey was at the SBE helping in a booth. I asked if she was still playing and she said no that it was a rough life living out of a motel and traveling. She said that she had been all around the world but seen nothing except for PHs and airports. She wanted to settle down and have a life.
I was in a elevator with Ralph S and asked him if he got to see much of the city or country and he also said no as there wasn't much time. He said the same that it is hard to get out and most of the time is in the PH or hotel.
Hope the best for John. Can see him still being in pool but at a lower level.
No the best move was him leaving home to follow his dream because he always had a backup plan to fall back on anyone who's ever seen JM and his dad together knows thier tight nit and will always be there for him ,
Had he not done that he would be thinking about it the rest of his life
1
John certainly is a fine young man and comes from good stock. John and his Father played in my Spring Pro Event and I had the pleasure of conversing with both.
I don't know what John is thinking. I will only add this: Building a net-worth is a life long endeavor and it's successful pursuit is well rewarded throughout life in many ways. Playing pool provides no such path.
I don't know what John is thinking. I will only add this: Building a net-worth is a life long endeavor and it's successful pursuit is well rewarded throughout life in many ways. Playing pool provides no such path.
Career and family in the works? Possibly he just realized its time to move on. Look there were a lot of great players who had careers outside of pool. I expect hime to come back from time to time. He's the right age to move on, any later might be a problem for him. Good choice John. For whatever its worth you'll land on your feet. I hope you fare well.
This is a loss for pool and for many of us (like me) who are fans of Johnny. For what it is worth, I believe the decision had nothing to do with how he lost his last two matches at TS.
As much as it saddens me as a fan, I am happy for John for having the courage to make a change, and wish him well - whether he ever come back to play professional or not.
As much as it saddens me as a fan, I am happy for John for having the courage to make a change, and wish him well - whether he ever come back to play professional or not.
This is strange timing to me but it's not my life so what do I know? Don't answer that.
Does anybody think John would turn down a Matchroom offer to play in the World Cup of Pool this year? I don't.
Many players have tried to throw in the towel only to quickly return. The balls always seem to continually beckon them to come back. Which they usually do. This is a very hard game to stay away from because the psychological hold on players is so strong. Or maybe it's just me.
Does anybody think John would turn down a Matchroom offer to play in the World Cup of Pool this year? I don't.
Many players have tried to throw in the towel only to quickly return. The balls always seem to continually beckon them to come back. Which they usually do. This is a very hard game to stay away from because the psychological hold on players is so strong. Or maybe it's just me.
I'm sure pool will always be in Johns's life. It just not going to be #1. At some point you need to do what's right for your family and career. I wish pool payed its professional players better so things like this would not happen.
With the current average home prices in Toronto 1.2 million and all the other downsides of being self employed from getting a mortgage, uncertain income, Pension Plans, Health/Dental Care etc and a career that usually is over by the time your 40 why on earth would someone try to play pool for a living and basically risk ruining your life. It's not easy getting a job when you are 40 or 50 especially if you have not even been in the work force, not to mention saving enough for retirement.
All I can say is run John run! or be added to the list of many busted pool room bums that have gone before. Currently pool is a hobby not a professional sport.
All I can say is run John run! or be added to the list of many busted pool room bums that have gone before. Currently pool is a hobby not a professional sport.
Well at least if John decides to come back to pool in a few years, he will still have the same Fargo Rating.
Sad to see one of the good guys go but completely understandable as pool has no future. Like someone said, it is a hobby, that can supplement your income or entertain your time. But should not be treated like a profession.
Sad to see one of the good guys go but completely understandable as pool has no future. Like someone said, it is a hobby, that can supplement your income or entertain your time. But should not be treated like a profession.
Roi
There's not a lot of money in pool these days, especially when you consider how expensive it is to travel across North America to these events, let alone the events outside of NA which costs even more to participate in. The (ROI) return on investment in pool is miniscule compared to most other occupations. Let's not even talk about the amount of time that pool takes or the health issues most pool players face.
John Morra's decision certainly isn't about a lack of talent as he has plenty of that.
Recent example of that is his win last week over Darren Appleton at the Turning Stone event by a score of 9-3.
GOOD LUCK John Morra!
JoeyA
There's not a lot of money in pool these days, especially when you consider how expensive it is to travel across North America to these events, let alone the events outside of NA which costs even more to participate in. The (ROI) return on investment in pool is miniscule compared to most other occupations. Let's not even talk about the amount of time that pool takes or the health issues most pool players face.
John Morra's decision certainly isn't about a lack of talent as he has plenty of that.
Recent example of that is his win last week over Darren Appleton at the Turning Stone event by a score of 9-3.
GOOD LUCK John Morra!
JoeyA
This is a hard game to leave permanently as you have said.
Landon Shuffett is another top player who put pool aside (at least temporarily) so that he could devote quality time to pursuing higher learning. I feel confident that he could easily have made the U.S. Mosconi Cup Team the last couple of years but instead made a GREAT decision to focus on his education during this time period.
I'm equally confident that John will make GREAT decisions regardless of which carrot is dangled in front of him.
JoeyA
Landon Shuffett is another top player who put pool aside (at least temporarily) so that he could devote quality time to pursuing higher learning. I feel confident that he could easily have made the U.S. Mosconi Cup Team the last couple of years but instead made a GREAT decision to focus on his education during this time period.
I'm equally confident that John will make GREAT decisions regardless of which carrot is dangled in front of him.
JoeyA
Let me try to figure this out.
The OP title says JM is going on a hiatus.
A hiatus is a temporary break, not a complete and/or permanent event.
The article hints at a retirement, but it's not definitive.
He'll be back--believe me.
As good as he is and as young as he is, he would be wasting his talent.