Brett Favre's Sad and Confusing Case: Getting Old Is Tough

Football is a violent sport, one that often causes injuries and physical harm. It's amazing that some of the athletes perform the way they do without really injuring themselves.

They sacrifice everything in blood, sweat, and tears to perform the way they do.

In fact, some will go even farther than others, making the perfect sacrifice to lead their team to glory. The tough and mentally strong will play through injuries.

Some players are weak, both physically and mentally, while others get hurt and never play a down again.

Then there are those who put themselves on the line.

One of those men is Brett Favre.

He embodies the old "throw-back" type of player, one that puts his body and soul on the field. He commands the team, leads by example through hard times, and tries to persevere through them.

However, Favre isn't exactly young anymore. He's 40, and at the point where his body is more prone to injuries than the average NFL player.

I know what you're thinking. Favre is Ironman. He'll never get hurt.

But the sad fact is Favre is human, just like the rest of us. He goes through the same things we do.

Favre could have retired two years ago and ridden off into the sunset as a Packer, setting things right in the sports world. But he denied fate, and he won.

Favre wound up on the Jets, and then later signed with the Vikings.

The truth is, most older NFL players try not to let go of the game. They try to hang on as long as they can.

Favre stuck with the game and, unlike players like Brian Westbrook, his body hasn't failed him yet.

Favre could perform well this upcoming season, but it's a very big sacrifice for his soul and body. All things considered, Brett could call it quits in the NFL.

And it's really no sacrifice for him at all.