by Matt Moore

Created on: May 16, 2009

Brett Favre retires! This is the news everybody was expecting to hear at the end of the 2007 NFL season. The iron man of football would end his career with 257 regular season starts, 8754 pass attempts, 5377 completions for 61,655 yds, and 442 touchdowns. A sure first ballot hall of famer and an end to one of the most illustrious football careers ever.

Then the news came that he still wanted to play and thought that Green Bay would welcome him back with open arms. The Packers moved on, grooming a new quarterback Aaron Rogers. There was no room for Favre in the Packers future. But the Packers didn't want Favre in any other NFL teams future either. Basically Favre and the Packers played a game of poker with out either side tipping their hand. Until finely the Packers where forced to trade him. So Green Bay traded him as far away from the NFC North as they could so it wouldn't effect there season. The New York Jets thought they had their missing piece to the puzzle. But it wouldn't be so. Favre did add more numbers to his career stats. But the Jets failed to make the playoffs as they hoped. And again Favre decided to not return to finish out his 2-year contract with the Jets. And officially ask the Jets for his release. Which means Favre is free to sign with any team he wants. Favre said, "At this time I have no intensions to play football". Key word is, at this time.

Then word came that the Minnesota Vikings where interested in talking to Favre about playing another year. The Vikings would be a good fit for Farve. He worked with Brad Childress when he coached for the Packers and is familiar with his offense. It would be a smooth transition for him, and the Packers worst nightmare.

Many people have different opinions on should he play or stay retired? They think his reputation and integrity would be tainted. My opinion on the topic, keep playing. For those of you who have a passion for something and could never imagine life without it. That's how a pro athlete feels, and that is why it is hard to hang it up. This writer never made it past my junior year of college at a division two school. I would give anything to go out and play again. Its ultimately your body that decides when its time to quit. For Favre it's not about the money. It's about holding on to what defines him. It's about holding on to his dream for one more day. No matter who you are, no matter what level you play at when it is over its one of the saddest days of your life. We should keep cheering for #4 to play as long as he can, to keep giving us one more day, one more game to see the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. We will watch and continue to fallow this story as the Brett Favre saga continues.

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