No Joy in Green Bay
FOX Sports announced today that Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre is retiring. Thus ending the longest consecutive start streak of a QB ever, more records broken then I care to count, and a career that lasted well into his 30’s. He went out slinging, his last pass was an overtime Interception in the NFC Championship but the weather was below zero and . . . we in our late 30’s can’t take the cold like we used to. I understood.
For my entire life the Packers stunk. I didn’t care, but I do remember being mocked at school in CA when I was young – for likeing the Packers. Was it a hat? Anyway, it’s actually Madden that got me into football – but that was later. Before Favre the kids of Wisconsin were taught about Starr, Nietzche, McGee, The Golden Boy, the Ice Bowl and, Lombardi. Nothing since the late 60’s mattered – then Favre.
16 years of better than 50% seasons, several trips to the playoffs, two Super Bowl appearences, one win, and a generation of Wisconsin kids who only know the Packers as winners. I see glory, then desert, then glory again. The see glory and … now Favre is retiring.
Good luck and thanks.
Being the Packers in Madden is suddenly going to be a lot less fun. Oh and, the Packers may not stink. The team is young and filled with talent – now their tested, hungry, and – okay, hopefully we can get a good QB and soon!
(I got to see Favre and the D – I took that picture – shut out the Vikings last year. Best ticket I ever bought!)
March 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
As a Packer fan and former resident of WI, I say “thank you Brett.
Football fans everywhere will miss the love and excitement that you added to the game.
But now as a Packer fan, I’m excited for what comes next.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I think there is plenty of joy – or there should be. Here is one of the greats of the sport, and a great sportsman as well. He is leaving after a very good season, better than the previous two. Let’s cheer for a great one leaving while he is still great … going out with class.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I agree with the previous posts. I think he is a class act and I can’t blame him for wanting to retire while he still is in good health. He deserves some time off.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Well, apparently it is time to rescind my comments … apparently Favre is yet another egomaniac self-centered superstar-type … shame, he had earned some respect – and now has promptly, and deservedly, lost it. Welcome to the Kobe / Manny club, Favre!
August 5th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Save it for the Madden post – I expect my review will devolve into exactly this argument.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I wanted to avoid getting new things muddled down. Favre deserves kudos for his talent and career, but I always thought him more like Larry Bird than Manny Ramiez – full of integrity and loyalty as well as talent and business sense.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:01 am
He’s more of a rube than anything less savory. I’m personally glad of the outcome though Mike. I think he deserves a shot at the starting job and glad he’s got one. This shouldn’t have been a big deal. Yeah, he’s old. Yeah, the team wants to move on. But we’re talking about a 16 year starting streak and a QB who got us in OT just before the SuperBowl. The Giants beating the Patriots, in my book, erased any shame in Favre lobbing an intercept in OT. He was surrounded by rookies. He isn’t exactly showing signs of decline or injury.
And before the accusations fly, damn right I’m a Favre apologist!
August 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am
The local car wash has this special offer:
The Favre Wash – Unconditional release of dirt