...or known anybody who has gone on one. My nephew played college football prior to his mission in Sierra Leone and Liberia. During his mission he was malnourished because of drought conditions in the country, experienced severe dehydration, never had the opportunity to work out (other than walking around in dress shoes). He actually almost died when he was impaled through his shoulder with a steel spike (trying to get into his apartment after they locked themselves out, and fell onto the security fence). He tried to walk on at BYU after his mission, but didn't quite make it and didn't have the desire anymore.

My nephews is not a unique story. Some of the details are different, sure, but this same thing happens time and time again. Guys who come back from missions and are able to compete at the same level are the exception, not the rule. The vast majority have lost a step, or take a good year to get their legs back, or get injured because they are trying to get back to where they were too quickly.

If you don't think so, you're not paying attention.