The Soft Goodbye

As the world was caught up in the world wind atmosphere of the NFL draft, one team subtly closed the door on the career of arguably the greatest football player of the modern era. While many a draftnik were aware of it, amidst the maelstrom of draft boards, trades, and opines from talking heads it faded off quietly into the spring eve. As it should. As it no doubt was intended.

The Green Bay Packers selected hot shot Brian Brohm in the second round of the 2008 draft. a move that will no doubt spur new found incumbent Aaron Rodgers to new heights. In this sense, it was a wise and bold move. However in the seventh round, over one hundred selections later, the Packers added Matt Flynn, former leader of the LSU squad that won the national championship this year.

Two quarterbacks with potential for success. A declaration so fierce that it rivals the birth of the nation in its magnitude. That statement? Brett Favre will not be affiliated with our active roster ever again.

And it is only fitting. After all, the man did announce his retirement despite having a pro bowl year. Hell, he even took his squad within one series of the Superbowl.

He knew that he had been given a free pass to play for the Packers as long as he saw fit and he simply felt that it was time to move on. For all intents and purposes it was a noble move. It will only add to his epic pedigree.

But then he started to get the itch again. Like all athletes, he found it hard to adjust to life without his sport. He missed to routines. He missed the locker room. The glory. The failings.

Despite claiming to only be interested in spending time with his family and hunting, he simply could not flat out let it go. Perhaps it was that last lame duck interception he threw that doomed his team. Maybe he just needed to know that he physically could not go on any longer.

Whatever Favre's rationale, his comments regarding a possible return to the NFL under the caveat that his protege Rodgers is injured spoke of nothing more than a man who wanted back into the show. After all, with the amount of injuries at the quarterback position, it is all but assured that the Packers would be calling him at some point in the season.

Favre is a legend. Their will never be another like him. He won the public's hearts with his gun slinging bravado. He captured souls with his grit and nerve.

He also...

Handcuffed a franchise for several years through his struggling play, knowing full well that he would never be cut in favor of anyone else.

Played hurt to preserve a streak of consecutive games played, despite at times serving as a detriment to the team.

Complained publicly about front office transgressions, all but asking for a trade.

Threw a former teammate and "good friend" under the bus when he revealed that he was gay.

Abused pain medication.

Threw away games with his callous disdain for risk management.

Sandbagged multiple proteges from having as productive of careers as himself by refusing to step down as the starter.

However when it is all said and done these factors will matter not. Favre will go down in the annals as being the toughest, ballsiest SOB to ever play quarterback and deservedly so. Eventually the league will adjust to life without number four under center. John Madden develop another man crush. Life will go on.

The legend is gone.

And he ain't never coming back.