The End of an Era - Brett Favre Retires

Brett Favre, three time MVP, Super Bowl Champion, record holder for most consecutive games at QB, most TD passes, most wins at QB, and beloved hero of millions of Wisconsin fans, retired yesterday after 17 years in the NFL.

'I know I can still play. I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired.', he was quoted as saying.

The news came as a shock following a great season that only ended in OT during the NFC Championship game, as most fans were  confident he'd return to lead the charge towards another elusive Super Bowl ring.

If you don't live in Wisconsin, or haven't for the last 15 years, I think it's impossible to accurately portray Favre's status in this state.

In Wisconsin he is sports icon/respected elder/warrior/leader/sex symbol/iron man. He is Moses, bringing a once proud people out of obscurity and to the Promised Land. He is Achilles, strong and feared, but with weaknesses that made him human. He is Beowulf/Arthur/Washington and Babe Ruth.

If this was a different era bards would sing tales of his life, and centuries from now children on the banks of the Wolf River would recite his exploits in exaggerated awe.

Think I'm stretching the truth? Move here.

The local nightly news devoted a full 14 minutes to his retirement, at which point the anchor apologized for having to relate 'other' news - like those pesky Texas and Ohio primaries. A few minutes later the sports segment started and we were back at it.

A local company started producing 'Green Bay 4 Ever' t-shirts and marketing them. Local papers blasted headlines as large as any announcing a war or the moon landing. Montages recounting his wife's cancer, his father's death, his own addiction, and his greatness flowed across the airwaves.

Here's the front page of the Journal website from this morning, a full day later:

You have to understand, the Packers had more world championships than any other team in the NFL. Green Bay left the '60's, the era of Lombardi, the undisputed kings of the road and then . . .  30 horrible years of nothing.

No championships. No Super-Bowl appearances. A rare playoff appearance in a strike year.

I remember many times watching the Packers take a comfortable lead (this would be in the midst of one of any number of mediocre years) and turning away from the TV, fearing they'd give up the game.

And they would.

4-12 . . I remember that as the last season before Holmgren and Favre took over. 4 and 12.

And then nearly two decades of constant playoff appearances, highlight reel passes, a Super Bowl ring and another that should-have-been, and a quarterback that is legitimately mentioned in best-ever discussions.

(I remember Socialist, many years ago, telling me in a hushed tone. "I always thought we'd have a decent quarterback someday. But I never dreamed we'd have a stud like Favre, not  the Packers. Never in a million years . . .")

I never fully embraced the Favre religion, largely because I'm only a casual football fan, but also because it seemed a bit too . . . well, like worship.

But I do remember the excitement and hope some kid from Mississippi inspired in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. I remember Milwaukee exploding when the Pack took the Super Bowl in New Orleans. I remember disgust over his interceptions and acceptance of it as part of his necessary 'gunslinger' mentality. I remember getting sick of his yearly off-season 'maybe I'll be back/maybe I'll retire' dramas. I remember his triumphant game on the heels of his father's death. I remember countless victories, far fewer defeats, and endless confidence that  we'd do it all again next year.

We'll miss you Brett. Thanks for everything.

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Tags: Brett Favre, Green Bay, Packers