Brett Favre: Please Leave While Everyone Still Loves You

As a Chicago Bears fan, I've always hated it when we had to go to Green Bay and play against Brett Favre. We could never beat him in Lambeau, minus a few miracle exceptions.

As a football fan, I've always loved watching an aging star run out there and play like a kid my age (I'm 17). I never thought I would see that kid walk away.

But then came March 4, 2008. A teary-eyed Brett Favre takes the podium at Lambeau Field and announces his retirement.

As a Bears fan, I root to no end to see my Packers-fan friends sorrowful. I know we can beat them now.

As a football fan, I'm crying with them. A true legend had left the game, and now the focus goes to Peyton Manning to break all of his records.

But then came July 2, 2008. The kid wanted back in. As much as it seemed that it was truly over, he couldn't stay away. Favre still wanted to play. But would the Packers welcome him back?

Well, we all know the saga that has continued in the wake of this attempted return. The Pack has moved on to the young and promising Aaron Rodgers. They believe his time is now, and they aren't about to take away the job they awarded him after March 4. So that means that Favre rides the bench, plays for someone else, or stays retired.

Brett Favre is a legend, and no legend rides the bench. He demanded a release or trade if he cannot start in Green Bay. That leaves just the two options.

Now, the Packers have shopped him around. We have been down roads in which the Vikings were accused of tampering with Favre when he called them to talk about playing there. It was a sure shot that he wouldn't play in the NFC North; now he is preferring to play there. And if the Packers won't let him play for them, the last thing they want is to see him twice a season. However, to be forced to deal him, he must be reinstated, and he is still waiting to be officially reinstated.

So they have pulled out all the stops here. They have offered Favre $20 million over the next 10 years for him to stay retired. And, rightfully, he is considering that. The Packers don't want his image to be tarnished and would love if they can still retire his uniform number at Lambeau on Monday Night Football during Week 1. They are willing to try anything to keep his legacy clean.

If I'm Favre, I don't take this money. If I want to play as badly as I say I do, then I get reinstated and I find myself a contender to get traded to. Minnesota would be just perfect. And that Sept. 8 matchup on Monday Night Football the Packers had set back to retire your number will now be set aside for them to play against their former legendary quarterback. Sounds like a fun time.

But since I'm not Favre, I have this to say:

As I Chicago Bears fan, I would love to see him play for us or someone besides the Packers.

As a football fan, I would love to see Brett stay retired and go away quietly into the sunset like he had done previously.

Folks, I am a football fan before I'm a Bears fan.

Brett, if you can hear me, please go back to Mississippi and keep helping local high school players. Let us see you in five years on 60 Minutes as a happy family man who rides his tractor and gives quarterback camps every summer. Let us say to our kids, "Brett Favre was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. He played the game the way it should be played." 

Don't make me say to them, "Brett Favre was a great quarterback. But he wore out his welcome and couldn't make up his mind if he wanted to retire or not."

I want to see you play, Brett. I really do. But I believe the only way to keep your legacy absolutely untarnished by this whole experience we've had over the last month is if you stay retired. But don't do it for schmoes like me. Do it for you. We still love you, Brett. Please don't get old on us.

Now my focus is on you guys, the average fan readers. You may feel differently about what this great quarterback should do in this particular case. But if you care at all about his legacy and what his career has meant to so many people, including those nasty Green Bay fans, you realize that retirement is the best path for him.

Thanks for the years, Brett. Please let us remember you with pride.

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