By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Mourning dawns after Favre news
Placeholder Image
MONROE - Several hours after the media announced that Brett Favre wouldn't be back for another season, Green Bay fans were still dismayed.

"I don't think we'll see another Favre for 15 years," Parkside Elementary School Principal, and Packers season ticket holder, Jim Brunette said.

Brunette has been a season ticket holder for 50 years. He's seen all the unforgettable quarterbacks such as Bart Starr and Favre as well as the forgettable ones, such as Randy Wright.

He said that what he'll miss most is how Favre played.

"He was fun to watch. You could tell he enjoyed playing football," Brunette said.

Whether it was rifling a pass into triple coverage or going downfield to make a block, Brunette said, Favre did it all.

"I know we'll never see a quarterback with as strong an arm," he said of Favre. "He could throw it like a baseball."

Favre was able to "thread the needle" during the year the Packers won the Super Bowl, he said.

"He would throw a pass that shouldn't have been thrown, and he would complete the pass to Robert Brooks."

The highlights of Favre's career, the Super Bowl, the game in Oakland the day after his father died and the smiles after setting records and winning games are all just memories now.

Packers' fans said the news of his retirement was almost unbelievable.

"Anybody who rooted for Green Bay will be disappointed," Tyler Soukup, Monroe, said.

Soukup said he was surprised when he heard the news.

Ken Leuenberger, Monroe, summed up his feeling in two words, "It sucks."

Leuenberger said everyone knew the day would come when Favre decided to hang it up, but not many people expected it Tuesday.

Gaylord Swenson, Monroe, said he understands why Favre retired.

"Favre wanted to go out before he got hurt and had to leave, but he was such a moral booster for the team," he said.

Jim Kuster, Monroe, echoed Swenson's sentiments.

"I'm happy to see he was able to go out on his own terms," he said. "I can understand it when he said he was mentally tired. He's been playing football for years."

Brunette said it's interesting that kids in elementary school and even high school can't remember a time when Favre wasn't the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

Next season will definitely be different, Brunette said, but in a way, that's what makes football exciting.

"Even though it's sad, it will be exciting to see if the next quarterback can be a Brett Favre or a Bart Starr," he said.