SO LONG #4!

Posted by bigD | March 9, 2008 .

When the Green Bay Packers drafted Don Majkowski in the 10th round (255th pick) of the 1987 NFL Draft, people thought nothing of it. When that same Don Majkowski or “MAGIC” as he was known as back then threw for over 4,300 yards and 27 TD’s in 1989, people truly thought the Packers had found a diamond in the rough. Majkowski went downhill after that one unbelievable ‘89 season and as a result people hardly remember him now. Why should they? Who cares what form of magic was before Brett Favre? Simply put, Favre produced his own magic in what was truly one of the greatest careers in the history of the NFL. If Majkowski was “MAGIC” for one lucky season in his career before Favre, then it’s safe to say that Favre was THE MAGICIAN…for every single season after “MAGIC!” Favre announced his retirement on March 4th and I must say it was kind of shocking for me. Not shocking in the sense that he’s spent a whopping 17 seasons in the NFL and deserves to retire, but more shocking considering his talents are still clearly good enough that he could continue to play at a very high level. Why now, Brett? Why do we have to stop watching one of the greatest QB’s to ever play the game? Perhaps it was a matter of making the decision at the beginning of the 2007-08 season and playing every game knowing it was indeed going to be his last hurrah. And oh, what a hurrah it was. Favre threw for a terrific 4,155 passing yards, 28 TD’s and he walked away with a 95.7 regular season QB rating for the season. That’s quite the year but it’s also very appropriate because, obviously, Favre is quite the player. Perhaps it was the devastating overtime loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. Favre tried to lead the Packers to victory and the Lambeau hopeful were crossing their fingers wondering if the great Favre would lead their Packers to one more late comeback. It wasn’t meant to be. Perhaps that failure was what led Favre to believe deep down that he could no longer win under those circumstances. Perhaps it’s a matter of age. A 16 year Packer career and an age of 38 could just be the tell all. Let’s face it, Favre isn’t getting any younger. Dare I even ask this? Could it be it’s just a matter of, HE JUST DOESN’T WANT TO KEEP GOING? Well, sadly, if that’s the case, then all power to you, Brett Favre in your decision and all of your Packer greatness.
A tearful Favre told the media last Thursday in Green Bay that he didn’t have the emotional strength to go another season. “I have way too much pride,” Favre said. “I expect a lot out of myself. And if I cannot do those things 100%, then I can’t play.” I believe him. How can you not believe a man who at one time played in 253 straight regular season contests (275 if you include the playoffs) – the 2nd longest ironman streak in NFL history? His dedication, his love of the game and mainly, his toughness are what truly made him great but they are also the qualities I respect the most out of a man who simply claims, “THAT’S IT!” It wasn’t easy for Favre to make the announcement. How could it be? It’s his love. It’s what he was meant to do. We can’t always do what we’re meant to do in this life. We can’t always complete our dreams or goals but some lucky people in this world do get the chance to do so. To accomplish victory in what you love for such a long period of time and then announce that you have to stop doing it forever would bring any man to tears who would make such an announcement. As Favre claimed, “I promised I wouldn’t get emotional. I’ve watched hundreds of players retire and you wonder what that would be like. You think you’re prepared.” The truth is the NFL and ESPECIALLY the Green Bay Packers weren’t ready for Favre when his career first began and it’s clear they aren’t ready for his retirement now. “Number 4” was acquired by the Pack in a 1992 trade with the Atlanta Falcons who had drafted Favre in the 2nd round in the 1991 draft, one spot ahead of the Jets who wanted Favre badly. I am sure every Jets fan has shaken their head about that one at some point. As for how the Falcons felt knowing they traded him away…um…NO COMMENT!
As you’d expect, the list of Favre’s accomplishments is a big one. Every time I look at some of these numbers and achievements, even THE BIG D is in awe. Favre is the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns (442), completions (5,377) and yardage (61,655). Poor Dan Marino. Not only did Dan not win a Superbowl, but he saw most of his records topped by Favre as well. Favre is the all-time winningest QB in the history of the NFL with an unreal 160 victories. During his 16 seasons as Packer QB, Favre took the Pack to 11 playoff appearances, 7 division titles, 4 NFC Championship games, he’s the only 3-time MVP in NFL history, he’s made 9 pro bowl trips, he’s been in 2 Superbowls and he led the Packers to a World Title at Superbowl XXXI. For me it’s more then that though. For me it’s about saying goodbye in this write up not just to a special player who accomplished so much. Instead it’s about understanding what it means as an NFL fan to say goodbye forever to a player like this and to realize at some point that you’ll never see him play again, EVER. With all the respect Favre has among his peers, coaches and everyone else it truly can be said that Favre is one of the most beloved NFLers ever. Great careers also have low moments though. Brett Favre is no exception. Football is a grueling sport. It’s rough, physical and who knows what it does to a body during 16 plus years of grinding it out. As a result, Favre battled an addiction to painkillers earlier in his career but he’s had to overcome even greater obstacles then that. He also had to deal with the death of his father and supported his wife, Deanna during a recent struggle with breast cancer. Through all of these problems though, Favre remained a class act, professional and played some of his best football through it all!
When a pro retires from a sport there is no doubt that one of their major wishes is to go out on top. Favre thinks he is indeed going out on top. But what defines what going out on top really means? Does it mean you win the championship in your final game like former NFL greats, John Elway and Jerome Bettis? Maybe. In Favre’s case though, despite the fact that the last ever pass he threw was picked off by the Giants’ Corey Webster and the last ever game he played in was a loss, he still went out on top simply because he was still on top of his game. That’s something truly phenomenal when you consider his age and everything else that went into making this great career just that – GREAT! Oh, to be on top as you say goodbye! It’s hard to do but down the road Favre will look back and be happy he indeed went out as STILL a great player. That really says it all!
Perhaps the hardest sport to sit back and say, “He was the greatest of all time” in is football. In my opinion, #4 has got to be on your all time top 10-20. Some would perhaps put him in the top 5 but if you go by position, is he the greatest all-time Quarterback? For me, the best QB ever comes down to one thing – having the greatest success with the least talent around you. To also be fair to players who played before my lifetime, I only go by what I’ve seen. Here is my all time top 5…
#1. Tom Brady – He has had a ton of playoff success including 3 Superbowl Titles. I don’t care if he’s still playing and I don’t care how well those before him have done. I was never totally impressed with the WR’s he threw to during New England’s Superbowl titles years from a day in and day out standpoint. Although Deion Branch and David Givens got the job done, they certainly aren’t considered among the greatest WR’s of all time. Plus, the running game behind Brady wasn’t always great either. Corey Dillon was average at best when he was there and Kevin Faulk will only be Kevin Faulk. Brady had average WR’s and an average running game and still got the job done at the highest levels on the highest stages with non - Hall of Fame talent around him. Can you say the same about who Bradshaw and Montana threw to? Plus, he can’t be rattled, he’s got tremendous pocket presence and he’s a Michigan Wolverine. It doesn’t get any better then BRADY!!!
#2. Brett Favre – Do I even need to explain this pick? I bored you enough with my jibber jabber in the article above!
#3. Dan Marino – Duper, Clayton, McDuffie (the names go on and on) and no running game to speak of. Don’t you think it was a little bit impressive that he took them to a Superbowl and he always found ways to keep the Dolphins in games? What an arm and what a career. You have to put Favre ahead of him simply because all of Marino’s records were broken by him.
#4. Joe Montana – I personally think he was overrated a bit simply because of the talent around him. Rice, Taylor, Rathman, Jones, Craig (the list goes on and on). That being said, despite my theory about doing the best with having little around you, Montana simply has to be here despite all the great 49er talent for years and years. Case closed.
#5. John Elway – He always seemed to be leading the Broncos to a comeback of some sort plus, he went out a winner and as I said earlier, that truly says a lot.
What’s wrong? You don’t agree? The beautiful thing about such a question is that 90% won’t agree. I guess that’s what makes football special. You can argue it until you’re blue in the face. Again though, one thing you simply can’t argue about is Brett Favre. What I’ll remember the most about Favre isn’t the numbers, the success or all of the “He’s the face of the NFL,” B.S. Instead, I’ll remember how he beat the living (insert your explicit word here) out of our Detroit Lions. Whenever the Lions looked primed (as it seemed) to make some kind of a run or to get to the next level and take the next step, dam you Brett…You were always in the way to beat us! Nowadays beating the Lions isn’t exactly a real difficult chore but don’t forget, Favre beat us bad during “THE BARRY YEARS” when the Lions were at least respectable. It’s a true testament to the kind of player that Favre was. I remember when Favre first got in the league I couldn’t stand him. I figured he was just going to be a flash in the pan and I thought he was a bit of a showboat. As time went on and as he matured I changed my opinion of the man to the point of me now showing simply – RESPECT. How can you not respect Brett Favre?
When Steve Yzerman retired as captain of the Detroit Red Wings I had mixed emotions. You know it’s probably the right time for him to go but after watching him be the leader for so long on the team that you love it really is difficult to say to yourself, “I’ll never see him play again.” That’s the reality that Packer fans will have to face if they haven’t already. Bring on Aaron Rodgers. Finally the kid gets his chance. Finally the NFL world says GOODBYE to Brett Favre – THE MAGICAL #4! Congratulations Brett! You truly were great. VINCE WOULD BE PROUD!

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SO LONG #4!

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