Brett Favre: Thanks for Your Toughness and Love of the Game

What had been speculated for the past several years was finally announced yesterday:  famous NFL (Green Bay Packers) great Brett Favre is retiring.

It was rumored for several seasons that each one would be his last, but after last year’s run through the regular season and into the playoffs, one had to think he would come back.

I, as a huge fan of all things football, hate that his final pass in the NFL will always be remembered as the one that cost the Packers their shot at a title.

Last season, the 38-year-old three-time MVP set several records, including most career touchdown passes.  He also broke Dan Marino's career record for most yards passing, and John Elway’s record for most career victories by a starting quarterback.

Favre, in an interview, said that he knew he could still play but he was tired mentally.

He retires with 5,377 career completions in 8,758 attempts for 61,655 yards, 442 touchdowns, and 228 interceptions.

In his 17 years in the NFL, Favre can be remembered for many things, but the one thing I will always remember him for was his toughness.  He started 228 games, no matter if he was injured or not.

He never let his team down.

Early on in a ’92 game against Philadelphia, Favre sustained a separated left shoulder.  He continued to play and led his team to a 27-24 come-from-behind victory.

In 1994 he did the same, but this time he was playing with a bruised hip in the pouring rain against the Chicago Bears.  He would rush for a career high 58-yards as he led his team to victory.

It will be memories like these that I will never forget.

In our lifetimes as sports fans we are blessed only every so often with a truly great athlete.  I consider Brett Favre to be one such legend, and I am proud to say that I was lucky enough to watch him play.

In today's NFL, MLB, and NBA too many players play for the love of money and not for the love of the game.  I think we can all agree that Favre’s dedication to football came from a true passion for the sport.

I remember a few years ago when his father passed away, many sports writers were questioning his decision to play in a Monday night game against the Oakland Raiders.  Favre, with a heavy heart, came out and played the game of his life.

After, he was asked what he was thinking about during the game.  He said it was all for his father, the man that gave him so much while asking so little.

I guess today as we witness one great leaving the game we love, another great could be out on the little league fields of America, just waiting for his turn to become the next Brett Favre.

Thanks for all the memories, Brett.  You will be missed this upcoming NFL season.

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