Brett Favre. Heartbeat of Green Bay. Man's man. Favre Magic. Lambeau Field. Inspiring. Love of the game. Emotion. Toughness. Constant. Funny. Loving. Husband. Father. Hero. Champion. Legend.
Retired.
My day started off with an email from Josh breaking the news of Brett Favre's retirement. A day I knew would eventually come...but not this year. After a 13-3 regular season and a playoff run that ended one game short of the Super Bowl, and almost all of the Packers expected to return next year, I didn't think Favre could walk away yet. Getting to the Super Bowl next year is such a huge possibility. But, it can't be as simple as that. Though I deeply mourn Favre's decision to retire, I have to support it and respect him. He's 38 years old. He's tired. He's never missed a game in 17 years. That statement deserves to be repeated. Brett Favre has played through sickness, injury, & tragedy and has never missed an NFL game in the 17 years he played. Dislocated finger? Big deal...walk to the sideline, have it yanked back in place and be back in the huddle without missing a play. Concussion? Big deal...convinced the coach to put him back in and immediately throws a TD. Tragedy in his family? Definitely a big deal, but those times were some of his best performances of his career. Having a 4-12 season? Big deal...keep your head up, believe in yourself and your team, and lead your team to the NFC Championship game. These are a few of the things that makes Brett Favre one of the most legendary quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. In fact, he should have been inducted in to the Hall of Fame today...forget about having to wait 5 years. I guess he could change his mind, but I don't expect that to happen. He's been mulling this over for a few years now. Just like Mike McCarthy and Steve Mariucci have both said - Favre won't come back unless he knows for certain he can commit himself 100%. And I'm sure that's what led Brett to this decision. He's physically and mentally tired. Now he can be with his family year round. Now he can take his youngest daughter to school in Mississippi instead of going to practice in Green Bay, only seeing her on the weekend. Now he can be at home for his oldest daughter in college when she returns for school breaks. Now he can hunt on his farm any day he wants. As much as I'd love to see him return to football, as a coach, analyst, or commentator...I don't think that will happen. Sure, he loves the game, and it's hard to imagine him walking away from it, but he also loves his family and his farm and has been looking forward to the day when he can be there every day. Sure, he didn't win the Super Bowl this year, but he had an incredible season and went out on top. He holds almost every NFL passing record. He leaves behind a team poised for another strong playoff run, and Aaron Rodgers at the reins. We saw this year against Dallas how capable he is. Brett Favre will live on, and so will the Green Bay Packers. While today is a very sad day in the NFL and Green Bay, we have to congratulate and thank Brett Favre and his family for the success he brought to Green Bay and the league, and we wish him the best of luck in his new life.
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