Favre's Time Has Come and Gone

The legacy of #4 will be remembered throughout NFL history for many years to come.  Sadly, Brett Favre is about to make himself remembered for the wrong reasons.  Brett Favre can retire right now with a great legacy behind him.  He has his Super Bowl ring, he will have his jersey retired in Green Bay, he will have gone out after playing 17 years of great football.

Think about all of the great athletes who have decided to come back to the game, or stayed in it a little too long.  What have they done aside from damage their image? 

First, let's take a look at former Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde.  After winning the Heisman and the Maxwell while playing at the University of Miami, Testaverde was the top pick in the 1987 NFL Draft.  And he played this past season as a 44 year old starting quarterback.  Testaverde could have gone out in style and retired in 2001.

He was 37 years old at the time, and had just led the New York Jets to the playoffs.  Testaverde was closing the book on a great few years, which saw him selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996 and 1998.  He led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in 1998.  In 2000, he became forever ingrained in football history for the "Monday Night Miracle," where he led the Jets from a 30-7 deficit to a 40-37 win by throwing 5 touchdowns. 

The next year, he was replaced after going 1-3.  He then played various roles with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and the Carolina Panthers, not having many marquee moments, and sitting on the bench.  This past season, Testaverde became known more for his age than his passing ability.  He hurt his reputation by staying in the game too long.

Another quarterback that was greatly affected by retirement decisions was Steve McNair.  After the Titans told him he was too old, he left for the Ravens.  This was a good decision not to retire after the 2005 season, but McNair stayed too long and couldn't give it up.

After a productive season in 2006, in which McNair led the Baltimore Ravens to a playoff berth, he decided to return to the NFL for another year.  Not such a good move. 

The Ravens were pathetic, and became the only team to lose to the Dolphins.  McNair had been plagued by injuries in previous years, and returning one more year was asking for trouble. He only played in 6 games, threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns, and is remembered for fumbling the ball twice against Pittsburgh, a game in which McNair was pulled from the starting role.

The list of great athletes who could have retired while still great is a long one that is headlined with these players, and others such as Eddie George, and, outside the NFL, Muhammad Ali.  There is no reason for Brett Favre to add his name to this list. 

Brett Favre has had his moments.  He won his awards.  His time has passed.  He does not need to return to the NFL.  He is in a great position to retire with a great history behind him.  It would be a shame for his name to lose value like so many others before him.  Your had your time in the limelight Brett.  Its time to step down.