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03/05/2008: "Hanging 'Em Up"

If ever there were a professional football player in my lifetime who had a can't-miss invite to the Hall of Fame waiting for him upon his retirement, it's Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. The only question - and one that's been pondered for each of the last few offseasons - was "when will he retire?" Well, the answer turns out to be now, as Favre announced his retirement yesterday afternoon.

If you never saw Favre play then I feel sorry for you, because there will never be another like him. Born with a gunslinger's mentality and a catburglar's nerve, Favre played 17 seasons, most for the Packers. His play was always spectacular - good or bad - and his longevity legendary. He leaves the league with a ton of records - most yards, most TDs, most completions ... most interceptions - to go with 1 Super Bowl ring (1996) and three MVP awards.

Perhaps most memorable about Favre will be his toughness. His retirement will end a consecutive starts streak of 275 games (counting playoffs), that stretches back to 1992. Even if someone finds a way to break his other records, this one is definitely safe.

The last few seasons have ended with speculation that Favre's retirement was emminent, and his so-so play had led some to think he'd lost his edge. But Brett seemed revitalized by the young players surrounding him in 2007, and responded with one of his best seasons, leading the Packers to an overtime loss to the Giants in the NFC Conference title game. In the end, though, it was the realization that anything less would feel unsatisfying that resulted in the decision announced yesterday.

Brett Favre was a football warrior, a throw-back to a time gone by. Others will emulate the style or the bravado, but none will repeat the success, nor garner the affection, found by Brett Favre in his NFL career.

Good luck, Brett - see you in Canton.