Timing was never Brett Favre's thing.
Never the most accurate passer, always the stalling offseason decision-maker, Favre knew how to keep a salivating Packers fanbase hanging on his every (non)word. Today they're wishing he would contemplate a little bit longer.
It wasn't shocking to hear Wisconsin's most revered 38-year-old adopted son announce his retirement from the NFL less than 24 hours after Randy Moss reupped with the New England Patriots. Favre's always been about winning and again talked with Moss about coming to Lambeau. But since Ted Thompson and the Packers once again showed that they weren't going to break the bank for the potentially-malcontent wide receiver, Favre decided to draw the curtain.
It would be easy to pile on the seemingly hollow decision, but he followed the first rule of show business: the 17-year veteran leaves the game and Packer Nation with everyone wanting more.
Favre, just like everyone else, knows he still can bring it on Sundays, but Favre knows he's accomplished everything a quarterback can in this league.
He got to two Super Bowls and won one. He's got three Most Valuable Player awards. The career passing yard and touchdown records are his among other incredible accolades.
Most importantly (and almost improbably) Favre used the 2007 season to reengerize the franchise that took a chance on him and got the Packers light years ahead from where they were in 2006. Obviously, this won't be Favre's legacy, but it's an important footnote. Had the gunslinger - he was never a game manager no matter how many times Mike McCarthy tried to convince everyone - walked away one year earlier, the Green Bay club would've been in ruins.
As it stands, players like James Jones, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings and yes, even Aaron Rodgers are better and ready to begin the post-Favre era at Lambeau Field. Is it scary? Absolutely, but it was bound to happen and he left at the right time.
By no means am I Packer fan, but I understood the Cheeseheads' allure to Favre. I wish he was the quarterback on my favorite team, but he wasn't and I had to listen to Packer fans drone on about Brett ad nauseum. It made me hate him. Then I remember that Monday night game in Oakland, one day after his father and best friend passed away suddenly, and I watch the single-most spectacular individual performance I've ever seen in sports.
That was Favre. I couldn't tell you how money much he made a year - I'm sure it was a lot - but he transcended sports and became a hero for the state. Wisconsin hadn't had a sports figure to rally around since Bart Starr was at the helm of the Packers. Kareem never embraced Milwaukee or Wisconsin, and Robin Yount was on the tail end of his career. Then came a wild-eyed quarterback who dazzled the eyes of forlorn Packerbackers. Favre immediately made Green Bay relevant again and brought the Lambeau Trophy home to Titletown.
Now it's time to move on and start again. Thompson, McCarthy and fans will pay their respects to Favre and thank him for his incredible career, as they should.
Don't mourn the future, it's not as bad as you might think.
- John McNally is the sports reporter for The Monroe Times.
He can be reached at jmcnally@themonroetimes.com.
Never the most accurate passer, always the stalling offseason decision-maker, Favre knew how to keep a salivating Packers fanbase hanging on his every (non)word. Today they're wishing he would contemplate a little bit longer.
It wasn't shocking to hear Wisconsin's most revered 38-year-old adopted son announce his retirement from the NFL less than 24 hours after Randy Moss reupped with the New England Patriots. Favre's always been about winning and again talked with Moss about coming to Lambeau. But since Ted Thompson and the Packers once again showed that they weren't going to break the bank for the potentially-malcontent wide receiver, Favre decided to draw the curtain.
It would be easy to pile on the seemingly hollow decision, but he followed the first rule of show business: the 17-year veteran leaves the game and Packer Nation with everyone wanting more.
Favre, just like everyone else, knows he still can bring it on Sundays, but Favre knows he's accomplished everything a quarterback can in this league.
He got to two Super Bowls and won one. He's got three Most Valuable Player awards. The career passing yard and touchdown records are his among other incredible accolades.
Most importantly (and almost improbably) Favre used the 2007 season to reengerize the franchise that took a chance on him and got the Packers light years ahead from where they were in 2006. Obviously, this won't be Favre's legacy, but it's an important footnote. Had the gunslinger - he was never a game manager no matter how many times Mike McCarthy tried to convince everyone - walked away one year earlier, the Green Bay club would've been in ruins.
As it stands, players like James Jones, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings and yes, even Aaron Rodgers are better and ready to begin the post-Favre era at Lambeau Field. Is it scary? Absolutely, but it was bound to happen and he left at the right time.
By no means am I Packer fan, but I understood the Cheeseheads' allure to Favre. I wish he was the quarterback on my favorite team, but he wasn't and I had to listen to Packer fans drone on about Brett ad nauseum. It made me hate him. Then I remember that Monday night game in Oakland, one day after his father and best friend passed away suddenly, and I watch the single-most spectacular individual performance I've ever seen in sports.
That was Favre. I couldn't tell you how money much he made a year - I'm sure it was a lot - but he transcended sports and became a hero for the state. Wisconsin hadn't had a sports figure to rally around since Bart Starr was at the helm of the Packers. Kareem never embraced Milwaukee or Wisconsin, and Robin Yount was on the tail end of his career. Then came a wild-eyed quarterback who dazzled the eyes of forlorn Packerbackers. Favre immediately made Green Bay relevant again and brought the Lambeau Trophy home to Titletown.
Now it's time to move on and start again. Thompson, McCarthy and fans will pay their respects to Favre and thank him for his incredible career, as they should.
Don't mourn the future, it's not as bad as you might think.
- John McNally is the sports reporter for The Monroe Times.
He can be reached at jmcnally@themonroetimes.com.
