3/4/08: Worst Day Ever?

There are probably more than a few Packers fans that feel that way, now that Brett Favre's retirement became official on March 4, 2008.  We think it's official, anyway--whether or not Favre pulls a Michael Jordan and un-retires remains to be seen.   

Our former weekend sportscaster at News 18, David Kmiecik, once proclaimed in his website bio, that he would "...weep openly when Brett Favre retires."   I don't know if David is weeping now, but I know that he didn't return a text message or a voice mail today...of course, he could be like the rest of us in the sports media, working non-stop all day trying to manage one of the biggest stories that will ever break here in the state of Wisconsin.

Being in the media, you have a different rooting interest than the average fan...but it was always easy to root for Favre.   On the field, he did things that left you shaking your head and wondering, how on earth did he just do that...throw a 40-yard dart perfectly placed into the arms of a receiver...or avoid a loss by throwing the ball underhanded for a big gain.  There were also the times he left you wondering why on earth did he just do that...e.g., the overtime interception in the infamous "4th & 26" playoff game in Philadelphia, or the overtime interception just over one month ago at Lambeau Field against the Giants.   No matter what he did or how he did it, we watched--intently, never wanting to miss anything, because deep down, we all knew his kind wouldn't be coming around any time soon in our lifetimes.

Beyond his play on the field, I always enjoyed his meetings with the media.  In a league where players take great pains in their off-field appearance, Favre cultivated a look that went well beyond casual--like he'd just rolled out of bed and grabbed whatever clothes were lying in a rumpled heap on the floor.   After Favre broke Dan Marino's career TD pass record in a win over the Vikings at the Metrodome, I bet a fellow media member on what grubby attire Favre would wear for such a historic occasion...I won the bet, by the way, since I predicted attire closer to Favre's actual wardrobe, but neither me nor my colleague could have imagined Favre would turn up in a pair of baggy cargo shorts with hiking boots.   Later, we found out that he'd broken a zipper while getting dressed, and used a safety pin to keep his shorts settled around his waist so that they wouldn't drop to the floor.

His was casual in his appearance, but he was the polar opposite of casual in his burning desire to compete and win.  He managed to be supremely confident without appearing arrogant.   He walked in a different stratosphere than the fans and the media, yet had a way of connecting with everyone.  His private struggles with painkiller and alcohol addiction were very public, but they only made him a more endearing figure.  He was the public face of a proud franchise; however, it was a face that showed the pain of losing a father and a brother-in-law.    His wife is a cancer survivor; his family survived a devastating hurricane.  Somehow, through it all, even late in his career, old by NFL standards, on Sunday he put on a green and gold uniform, stuck his head with its buzz-cut graying hair into a helmet with the classic "G" on the side, and morphed back into the little boy who loved nothing more than to play football.

It's a sad day for some, but I'm of the mindset that his is a career to be celebrated.   Favre did it his way...and he walked away on his own terms.    The memories of his final season are good ones...the 13-3 record that was unthinkable back in August during training camp...and a quarterback in his late 30's looking like he was having the time of his life playing football for the Green Bay Packers.

Just to make those memories better, I may just take our season archive tape and edit out that final interception to the Giants' Corey Webster.    However, after meeting New York offensive lineman Rich Seubert in person, I have to say I'm no longer bitter about that Green Bay loss.  The Giants seem to have good human beings on their team as well.

Let the Aaron Rodgers era begin, and let it be better than the eras of John Hadl, David Whitehurst, Randy Wright, and Don Majkowski--but honestly, I can't imagine how it could be better than the Brett Favre era.

-BOB BRADOVICH   

Comments

[David]

I'm too numb to weep yet... sometime soon, I'll curl up on my couch, grab a box tissues, throw in my Favre 4Ever DVD, and weep until my tear ducts are emptied... but yes, it is a time to celebrate covering and being a fan of one of the fiercest competitors in any sport... It will be shockingly strange the first game of next season when Aaron Rodgers jogs out to take the opening snap... I just hope Packer fans give A-Rodg some room to grow...