March 4, 2008
It’s A Sad Day, Here in Wisconsin
I knew this day would come, and I tried to be ready for it. But even after hearing the news, I can’t help but cry a little. Brett Favre announced his retirement from NFL football today.
The beloved quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, my favorite football team, has said it’s “just time” and that he’s “mentally tired”.
From ESPN:
“If I felt like coming back — and Deanna [his wife] and I talked about this — the only way for me to be successful would be to win a Super Bowl. To go to the Super Bowl and lose, would almost be worse than anything else. Anything less than a Super Bowl win would be unsuccessful,” Favre said in the message.
“I know it shouldn’t feel unsuccessful, but the only way to come back and make that be the right decision would be to come back and win a Super Bowl. And honestly, the odds of that, they’re tough. Those are big shoes for me to fill, and I guess it was a challenge I wasn’t up for. “
From NFL on FOX:
The records Brett Favre takes with him into retirement include: touchdown passes (442), passing yards (61,655), attempts (8,758), completions (5,377) wins by a starting quarterback (160), consecutive starts by a quarterback (253, 275 if you include the playoff games) and most MVP awards (3).
Still, those numbers are woefully inadequate in measuring the man. His accomplishments as a quarterback might be quantifiable, but his virtues are not. There’s a reason Brett Favre is regarded as a kind of national treasure, that the affection directed his way violates all demographic suppositions, cutting across all the usual divides of race, class, sex and geography. The American People, a much-abused term, can agree on the subject of Favre’s overriding virtue: He defied time.
Seventeen years is a long time in football years. He’s broken several records and he will always be the greatest quarterback of all time. Farewell, Brett. We are sure as hell gonna miss you.
Posted by Dana @ 5:05 pm • Tundra Football
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March 4th, 2008 at 5:33 pm, yoshi Says:
I’m not really a major Packer fan, and I might even be a little bit bitter still from the last Seahawk/Packer game, but you know, honestly, I really like Brett Favre. But seriously, we all knew it was coming, we just wanted to deny it.
Yeah it’s a sad thing, but i’m just anxious to see what he does now.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm, sir jorge Says:
i thought for sure he had one more run.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, Dawn Says:
I wanna know if John Madden is going to retire too so he can continue to follow Brett and talk about him all the time.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:34 pm, Dana Says:
Yoshi, I just thought he’d comeback for one more go at it, but I completely understand why he isn’t.
Sir Jorge, I know. I agree.
Dawn, that’s a good question. If Madden retires we still have Caliendo to take over.
Hehe.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:32 pm, Wifey's House Says:
OK, at the risk of sounding “stalkerish,” I thought about The Dana Files when I heard the news yesterday and knew you would post about it. Smiles!
He had a brilliant career and will be missed by football fans everywhere.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm, Dana Says:
Awww! Not stalkerish at all.
I’m honored.
Yes, Brett did have a wonderful career. He is following his heart and I admire him. I always will.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 am, The Dana Files » Fantasy Football, Frustration and Favre! He Could Come Back? For Real? Says:
[...] back to my beloved Packers, I wouldn’t object. But, seriously? Stop messing with my mind. I cried actual tears when you announced your retirement. And I’m still sad about it. I’d give anything to see you play at Lambeau Field one last [...]