So Brett Favre tells his agent to tell the Jets that he plans to retire. Surprised? Haven’t we seen this movie before? Do you believe him? Do you think he’ll stay retired? I have my doubts. After all, nobody ever pictured Favre in a uniform other than the Green Bay Packers gold and green. It happened…when Favre announced he wanted to play again. Why should we believe that he’s serious THIS time? How do we know he won’t pull this stunt again? How do we know that in July Brett won’t decide to go play catch with high school football players; catch the fever; and make a plea to come back to the NFL? We don’t. What’s unfortunate--Bett’s legacy is tarnished now. A hero becomes a zero (well, maybe that’s too harsh.) But, one of the best QB’s ever will be remembered more for indecision and a season with the Jets that started off with promise…only to collapse.
Brett’s announcement today leaves me scratching my head. I’m not disappointed, I’m relieved. It’s time. It was time last year. And, time for the Jets, the NFL, and the fans to move on without #4. I wrote a column in July, when he first came out of retirement, urging the Packers to send Favre packing. I was roundly criticized for wanting to get rid of the legend in title town. But, lets look at the Favre impact. In less than a year, Bret wrecked two franchises. That’s right, he wrecked them! You can’t tell me that his soap opera return to the Packers and subsequent trade to the Jets wasn’t a distraction to both teams. Did the Packers make the playoffs? No! Did the Jets make the playoffs? No! Is Brett to blame? Not totally, but he had a role in both teams futility this season.
Listen, before you start calling me a Brett Favre “hater”…read on. I love Brett Favre as a football player on game day. I think he’s one of the best to ever play quarterback. I love his gunslinger mentality. He’s a sure fire hall of famer. What I don’t like is simple: our hero thought he was bigger then the game. He thought he was bigger than the NFL. He thought he was bigger than the Packers. He’s not; none of them are. If you’re the Jets, did you get your worth out of Brett? NO way! You gave up a 2nd round pick to get him, and what did you get in return? R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T! I wish Brett well, I look forward to the day that he is inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. I look forward to training camp next year to see if he stays retired. I have my doubts. Do you? Do you think Favre is done for good? Will he be back? You can try to answer this question, but as Brett has proved, anything is possible. Please, for your legacy Brett - stay retired, your antics exhaust me.
