Favre's Done For Good (Or is he...)

Sunday, January 2, 2011. That was about 10 days ago now, the end of his career. Three guesses as to who I’m talking about… you’re correct: Brett Favre.

Favre’s career was amazing, no doubt. And when we look back, we’ll think of 1996, 2007 and ’09. The list could go on. Along the way during his 20-year career, he achieved many milestones, good and bad, including 297 consecutive games started, a record that will take a while to break.

Why was he so great? Well for starters, he holds these NFL records: Most career touchdown passes, most career passing yards, most career pass completions, most career victories by a quarterback, and most consecutive starts by a QB. He also had a few records go against him, like most interceptions, most fumbles, and most times sacked.

But the records weren’t the only thing that made him great. He won Super Bowl XXXI, was a three-time MVP, was on the NFL 1990’s all-decade team, was voted into 11 Pro Bowls, and more. Will all of his records ever be broken? Probably not. Most NFL players don’t play for even four seasons. So, Brett had a pretty good run. But all good things must come to an end. He says this time he is really going to retire, after a season-ending concussion and a bad year for the Vikings.

But to tell the truth, he has said that the last three years, and then you turn around and he’s back again. So, this whole un-retiring business? Nonsense. To tell the truth, I’m sick of hearing those four fatal words: “Breaking news, Brett Favre...” I’m fed up with his farewell speeches, all promising “I’m done for good.” I think (and hope) that this time it’s finally the end.

Don’t get me wrong: the Vikings missing the playoffs and losing record isn’t all his fault. Remember how they got Randy Moss, dropped him, only had one WR, the backup quarterback’s injuries, and the Metrodome collapsing? So he didn’t have a great final season. Dan Marino’s last season was kind of a drag, too, but we only remember his many great seasons. (He lost his final game 62-7). I don’t know if coming back was a good thing for Favre, but it at least should’ve helped him see that he was done for good.

All the same, I understand that why he wanted to come back. Have you ever sat on the sideline in a game? You want to get on the field (or the court, or the rink) so you can make a difference in the game. I think he can’t take watching and not playing.

Should he un-retire? No, please, for my personal sake, don’t!