As football season is approaching, NFL teams are preparing for the opening of training camp and the commencement of preseason schedules. Soon it will be time for players to fight for a spot on the roster, teams to decide who those players are and for prognosticators to sit on their lofty perch and tell us whether or not the Patriots are going to be able to go undefeated without their top videographer.
Emerging from this hum and chatter is the rumor of Brett Favre’s return from a short-lived retirement. So far, neither Brett nor the Green Bay Packers are saying a whole lot of anything of substance, but this thought has been lurking just beneath the surface of the fond farewell that Brett has been receiving over the past few months.
I am a bit conflicted about this. I am a big fan of Brett Favre and have been for several years. When I watched him play I was reminded of what the NFL was like when I was a kid. I loved his gunslinger’s mindset and his winning attitude. He played the game as it was supposed to be played, for the fun of it. There is a big part of me that would love to see my favorite player return and lead his team to one more year of glory.
That is the idealist in me.
The realist in me says that this is a game for young guys. Aaron Rodgers has been the patient understudy for three years now. Everyone close to the situation says the kid is more than ready to step onto Lambeau Field and begin another brilliant chapter in the Packer’s illustrious history.
Favre has absolutely nothing left to prove. The only reason for coming back is the aforementioned love of the game. The old warhorse still has the heart for one more charge. Yes, he would still be better than probably two-thirds of the quarterbacks currently starting in the league, but not that much better. The years are starting to catch up.
He has a stellar legacy that is sure to land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He has the Superbowl rings, the awards, the accolades and the cherished memories of millions of fans, some as far removed from the frozen tundra as myself. We remember him as being great when he left. If he returns now he risks being remembered as being great “in his day”, joining the countless number of veterans whose desire for one more season caused them to discount the diminishment of their skills. He risks being scrutinized and second-guessed every time he tries to force a pass into double coverage. He risks the humiliation of a cold shoulder from the Packer’s brain trust at best, or a mid-season benching at worst.
Don’t do it, Brett.
Heavenly Heartburn 
I’m not huge into football, although I have respected Favre for some time.
Your last paragraph sums up exactly my thoughts on the possibility of his return from retirement.
Leave strong, and leave them wanting more. Don’t risk wiping all of that away with a return that might not be successful.
As much as I enjoy watching the man play, I hope Favre listens. If he’s like 99% of athletes, actors, pastors, etc., he’ll keep going until he’s run his legend into the ground. He is definitely a rare breed in modern sports, so maybe he’ll prove his distinction again by staying retired.
I agree with you about Brett…and that is the same way I feel about your favorite coach and the PSU one. Why didn’t you quit while you were ahead?
It would seem that we are all in agreement.
Too late. Looks like it is a done deal. He’ll be playing for someone next year, just not the Packers.
There is talk here in the Tampa Bay area about the possibility of his coming here. They haven’t offered Jeff Garcia a new contract…just what they need, another aging player.
Good news for the Packers (got them out of a sticky situation), bad news for Favre and whoever he signs with.
That said, I hope he proves me wrong and wins a Super Bowl. He’s one of the few NFL players I will waste an afternoon to watch.
It looks like the Packers are taking a different route. They are refusing to release him, saying that he is welcome to rejoin the team as a back-up quarterback.
I really don’t think that is what Brett had in mind.
I don’t think so either. I’ve thought of Brett and others who just keep on trucking. When I retired from teaching, I found that I had so much of my identity tied up in what my profession was. When I filled out a form and came to the blank that said occupation, I had to mark retired. When my husband died, I realized how much of my identity was tied up in my relationship to my husband. Then particularly I really had to stop and realize that my identity was not in what I did, but who I am. It took a little while, but I think it finally sank in.
Of course, my true identity is who I am in Christ. I knew that before, but I guess I had let other things cloud the way.
Maybe Brett needs to find out who he really is. God bless him…
Bev, that is a very astute observation. I read an article recently that described how his and Deanna’s faith had grown through her battle with cancer. Perhaps this can be a growing opportunity for him as well. I truly hope so.
People said similar things about Joe Montana when he joined up with our KC Chiefs.. it may have been a bad move for Joe but it was a great one for KC football.. it brought fun, excitement and enjoyment.. and I think that is what the “game” is all about – entertainment.. and we also had a winning season and made the playoffs 🙂
KB, it is entirely within the realm of possibility that the scenario you described could be played out again with Favre just as it was with Montana. He certainly has the competitive drive to make it happen, and as I said in the article, there is a part of me that would love to see it happen.