The Only QB I've Known

One day in 1993 my father came home and walked into my room. He tossed a folded green and white shirt onto my bed. I unfolded the shirt to realize it was a jersey with the number 4 on it. As I turned the jersey around to see who wore this number I read "Faver?"

15 years later I'm cherishing that jersey like it were the Shroud of Turin. 15 years later I'm walking out of work and glance at one of the TVs tuned into ESPN to see a bunch of Packers highlights playing. I smile knowing that half the building is filled with Bears fans pretty much being forced to watch more highlights of Brett Favre (Far-ve) tear apart opponents for monster gains and touchdowns.

Then a realization of horror strikes me: there's only one reason they would be showing these highlights... He's retiring.
Favre's spontaneous TD celebrations were as exciting as he was.
The only quarterback I've known to start for the Green Bay Packers since I began following football is now gone.

Normally a Chicago Cubs fan mantra- "One More Year"- was adopted by the Packers Nation in their hopes of seeing Favre play yet another season in the Green and Gold, hoping to see him in his third Super Bowl.

In one of his final games Favre chucks a snowball at his teammates.
Falling one game, and potentially one pass short of Super Bowl XLII. Next year has come, somewhat unexpectedly. The way Favre played the 2007 season, he looked like he was 26 again, and it seemed like he would be back. But at 38 years-old, he's earned the right to hang up his cleats and sit back in his home in Mississippi and spend time with his family.

But the selfish football fan in me wishes Brett, the 2007 SI Sportsman of the year and three-time NFL MVP, would have stuck around for at least one more year.

As the NFLs all-time leading passer, Favre has little to prove to anyone. He won Super Bowl XXXI in 1997. Fell a drive shy of overtime in SB XXXII.

I feel fortunate that my first live Packers game was not only at Lambeau Field this past season against the Lions, but that I got to see Favre throw the last two TD passes of his career.

The only QB I can remember to start a game for the Pack has retired. And with him a piece of football leaves the game.

No other player in the league plays the game with the love and passion that Favre did.

Much like Michael Jordan's second retirement from the Chicago Bulls; the Packers now will begin to rebuild with Aaron Rodgers, the teams first round draft choice from 2005, as their starter.

I think ChicagoSports.com writer Mike Downey said it best this morning:

"There was something about Brett.

You won't ever forget him.

Or that the 'v' comes before the 'r.'"

Good luck Brett. See you in Canton in 2012