For about 10 minutes, Brett Favre thanked all his former coaches, explained why his daughter is always late for school, let Marshall Faulk know what he's wearing, and discussed what is really important in life. It had been reported that he was retiring because he's tired, mentally tired. But why was he so tired now, after the end of such a great season?
As I looked at this upcoming season, I said, I probably could get myself prepared to play. That really didn't have that much of a bearing on my decision. It's tough on everybody. But it was more the in-season strain. And Mike knows this, there were numerous Saturdays (before) home games where I was here at 8:30 at night watching film. I had never done that before. It was never enough for me. And Deanna knows this, after numerous games I would come home and after a couple of hours I had the computer out and I was watching film of the upcoming opponent instead of enjoying the win we just had. At some point, you've got to relax and enjoy and I found myself not enjoying it as much. It's fun to win but you've got to enjoy it and relax a little bit. That more than anything was taking its toll on me.
In this way his is a rather unique retirement for a player. I think this happens more with coaches. Why would a coach like Tony Dungy or Mike Holmgren, with all the money they've made and all the success they have had, want to work 16 hour days, seven days a week during the 2008 football season? They both considered stepping down, but both have apparently committed themselves for at least one more season with their teams. Coaches usually retire when they're mentally worn out since injuries play no part in their careers.
It's the same with Favre, He knows he can still play, but he's got nothing left to prove and the long season is wearing him out mentally. Usually a player has to retire because he's lost the ability, or injuries, even ones that allow them to still play, are forcing their hands. Usually a player's physically finished before the mental parts are worn out. With Iron-Man Favre, it's the other way around.
It's interesting that he's watching more film than ever during the season. I've read many quotes along the lines that the more you know about something, the harder it gets:
I go back to what I said when I look back at old clips. It's a good thing I didn't know any better. I watch those interviews, and it's painful to watch. But in a lot of ways that was good for me. I had talent, probably thought I had more. I probably thought a little more of myself than I should have...
Now, if I had to go back with the same mentality right now that I have and start over again, I probably wouldn't make it, because I'm so much more aware of how difficult it is to win, to prepare.
Favre said he plans to do nothing. Good for him. Football, and the Packers, are great, but there are a lot more important things in life:
(For all of your contributions on the field, are you just as grateful and proud of your off-the-field accomplishments, the impact you've had with Make-A-Wish kids, your foundation, and other charities?)
If you really think about it, that stuff is so much more important than football. But at times we lose sight of that...
But I am, once again, I'm not perfect, never will be. I'll probably get in trouble with Deanna at times, with my girls at times, but I do have a different outlook on life, much more than 16 years ago. But I am very proud of the things that we have done off the field. Could we have done more? Sure. Could we all do more? Absolutely. But we have impacted other people's lives in a positive way I would hope, and we are thankful for that.
Thanks.
