I can’t believe I’m doing this. Two years ago I wrote this post about Brett Favre retiring. I didn’t want to do it, but as a professional (unemployed) blogger, I felt it my duty to sum up Brett Favre’s career as he faded away into retirement.
Fast forward two years and that post is one of the more humorous things I’ve ever written. I wanted to talk fairly about the career of a football player that I never rooted for and never liked. And I did. When I just re-read that post, I felt like I had been duped by Favre into saying nice things about him. Really, I felt like Packers, Jets, and Vikings fans do about him. Buying in to rooting for Favre means that you’re eventually setting yourself up for disappointment.
This year, the Minnesota Vikings had the opportunity to take the quarterback of their future, but they were likely sure Favre was coming back and didn’t want to upset him, so they passed on taking Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy (instead they drafted Joe Webb, you know, from Alabama-Birmingham?).
Last week, ESPN reported that Brett Favre was retiring. Brett Favre’s camp says that that report isn’t necessarily true. America says, “Just retire.” Sports fans have grown tired of this Favre ritual. And frankly, of Favre. All of the goodwill that Brett Favre had built up over the years is gone now. He no longer gets the benefit of the doubt from the public and from most sportswriters. And he likely doesn’t care. But what if he did???
With that, I’m going to offer Brett Favre my services and prepare his retirement speech. His speech could make or break his reputation. I’m a strong believer in the power of words. And I think that I can win Brett Favre back some fans. You know, whenever he finally decides to hang up his pads.
(shutters clicking, Favre walks out onto the podium and takes his seat)
Thank you all for being here in (city I’m currently playing in). Is anyone else experiencing deja vu right now (reporters laugh)? I have decided after (x) years playing in the NFL, (x) years of playing through pain, of giving it my all, I have nothing left to give the game of football and find myself taking more from this beautiful game every day. With that, I am announcing my official, honest-to-goodness, retirement from the game of professional football, NFL or otherwise. Trust me, you won’t have to fear seeing me playing in a feeder league two years from now. I’m done. There is nothing left for me to give football.
Over the course of my very long career, you all, the fans and media, have been there with me through all of my ups and downs, personally and professionally. As you all know, I had my fair share of off-the-field struggles early in my career. And I’ve never truly thanked the fans, especially in Green Bay, for welcoming me into their community with open arms and making me feel needed. Green Bay was so, so good to me during my career and there are times when I feel like I wasn’t as good to them as I should have been. One of the great regrets of my career will be my inability to give that city more championships and more memories. This Mississippi kid never would have thought that he would have been so at home in northeast Wisconsin, but I truly was during my time with the Packers. (begins to sob). You know, I hate how it ended there. And I always will. I let my competitive side get the best of me in Green Bay. I felt threatened by how good Aaron was. I felt like I was being replaced. And it hurt me. And the truth is, they made the right decision to go with him. What a great kid Aaron is. And a great quarterback. I hold no grudge against Ted Thompson for that decision he made. At the time, I felt differently. But looking back, I know I was the one who was wrong. Will the city of Green Bay ever forgive me? I don’t know. But I want every Packer fan to know that I’m sorry for how it ended. And Green Bay will always be in my heart. (clenches lips and looks around the room)
You know, we all say, athletes that is, that we don’t read the papers. We don’t watch the talking heads. Well, that’s all BS. At least for me. I read what you all write and I hear what you say; have heard what you’ve said. And you know, you’re right. Should I have left the game of football earlier? Should Green Bay have been my final stop? Maybe. This old body certainly feels that way physically. I took a lot of punishment in New York and Minnesota (and any other team he plays for), physically. And I heard all the critical punishment too. Loud and clear. He’s a distraction. He’s selfish. It was all said and it was all true, really. I wanted more. I wanted more championships and accolades. I wanted success. I wanted to go out on top. And in wanting all of that, I took away from the teams I was on. And those were good teams; the Jets and Vikings (and again, anyone else he plays for). And again, great fan bases who were very supportive of me. I’ve been so lucky in my career to have played where I have. But this is the end of my road.
You hear it all the time from athletes that they dreamed as a kid of the kind of moments I’ve had. I’m one of the luckiest people to have ever lived. Truly. I’ve been revered. And I’ve been reviled. But all the way, I’ve been supported, by a strong, loving wife, a group of hard-working employers and coworkers, and fans all over the world who have celebrated with me and hurt with me. I have been so blessed to have lived this life. And there’s a lot more to live. There’s a farm back in the deep south waiting for me to finally spend some quality time on it. And a family there too who are the only team I’ll need from here on out. I’ll miss the guys in the locker room, standing in the tunnel on Sunday, and the joy I felt with every victory. Really, I will just miss football. And I hope that when it’s ready to, football will miss me. Thank you all (pause) for everything. Thank you…
And now everyone loves him again, right? Well, as long as he stays retired…
Mid-Atlantic Bias 