Memo to Cheeseheads: Let Favre Go

A funny thing happened on March 5, 2008.

The sun came up.

Even though that on March 4, the greatest player in the history of the Green Bay Packers decided to walk away from the game that he loved, human life somehow did go on.

You wouldn’t think that people would be able to cope with such a gloomy day in Wisconsin state sports history.

What with softly sobbing grown men calling into sports talk radio shows expressing their anguish, every local television station interrupting whatever trivial program that they currently had airing to break the sad news, and even some Packer fans comparing Favre’s retirement to a death in their own family.

I’ll even admit that I was prone to shock and sadness, too. My coffee didn’t and hasn’t tasted quite the same since the sip that I had on my tongue when I heard the news.

So, now what?

Let’s remember why we loved watching Favre play in the first place.

The impossible passes that he would thread through four defenders to a waiting receiver. The ripping off of his helmet and running around like a 12-year-old after throwing his first touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.

The courageous effort and dedication he had to making sure that he was out on the field every single Sunday, no matter the circumstance.

Keep in mind that Favre went out on his terms — not anyone else’s. That’s something 99.9 percent of NFL players cannot say.

Keep in mind that Favre left at the top of his game after enjoying the one of the best statistical seasons of his career.

Keep in mind that Favre did come back after a horrendous 4-12 season — when the critics told him to retire — to prove that he still could restore a beleaguered team to dominance.

Packers fans have been spoiled by Favre for the last 16 years.

Whereas most NFL teams churn through quarterbacks faster than a car burns a tank of gas, Favre has not only been the only Green Bay signal-caller for the better part of two decades, but he has done so at an elite level, too.

It’s not going to be the same not seeing that familiar No. 4 trotting out onto the field on

Sunday. It’s not going to be the same not seeing that good ol’ southern boy carrying his receivers on his back after a touchdown. It’s not going to be the same not seeing our historic team leader wave to the Lambeau crowd after a big win.

Take heart Packer fans — life will go on after Brett. Remember that if it wasn’t for his amazing legend, we wouldn’t even have the opportunity to experience the pain that we feel in his absence.

Now, it’s time to let him enjoy his life after football in the same way we enjoyed witnessing his career playing football.

I know it’s tough to believe right now, but life will go on and the sun will keep rising every day.

At least I hope so.