Favre

[Derek]

Who is John madden gonna worship now?

[Spence]

I thought they would have to tear his jersey off him. He surprised me by doing what he did. I think it was time.

[BYUfan1]

This was the one time I thought his rationale was weak. He said he retired because he thought that the only way next season would be successful was if the Packers went to the Super Bowl and won. He said the season would be disappointing if the Packers went to the Super Bowl and lost. Why he is assuming the Packers couldn't win the Super Bowl next season? With the Patriots losing some key players, it seems like several teams would have a change to win next season, including the Packers. The Packers play in a weak division. I cannot see why they could not duplicate or improve on last year's results with Favre coming back.

[Dossenator]

In his farewell speak, Favre said the reason he was not coming back is he due to being mentally weak and drained (he said physically he could do it but the mental stress is just too much).

[billybud]

The guy is 38 and has played hurt a bunch...his record of 273 consecutive starts (including play off games) may be one of those records that lasts forever.

He has nothing to prove, more money than his kids can spend (with any luck), and probably is ready to retire and enjoy the fruit of his labors...after all, counting high school and college, he has been playing ball a heck of a long time.

[..fanatic]

I'm glad he is leaving on the heels of a succesful campaign that proved his naysayers wrong. Too many professional superstar athletes stick around far too long and diminish their legacies by doing so. The best thing about watching Brett Favre was the spirit with which he played the game. He had fun. He seemed to truly enjoy himself. In return, people enjoyed watching him.

Now, I wish Barry Sanders had stuck around a few more years - I think he easily had three or four more seasons of greatness left in the tank.

[Dossenator]

...fanatic I agree about both Favre and Sanders. I still can't believe Sanders walked away from the game. I guess it came down to him not wanting to play for the Lions anymore but was still under contract that kept him from signing with anyone else (is that accurate). He would easily be the all time NFL rushing leader if he would have stuck around.

[Eric]

Yeah, I was a little teed off that Sanders decided to retire when he did, but if he didn't, he might end up like Earl Campbell and hardly be able to walk. He made the decision that was best for him. Plus, the screwed up organization that is the Detroit Lions was partly responsible. Why would anybody want to spend their blood, sweat, and tears to go 7-9 every year like they did with Barry?

Oh well. I wish he would have kept playing, but more power to him. He was the definition of a class act.

As for Favre, I wonder if he is done for good though? I have a hunch he might get an irresistable hankering to play once camp rolls around. I wouldn't count it out.