Remember the Good Times

One week after missing his first game since 1992, he returns to the field. Not the dome that collapsed, postponed the game for one day, and held the entire country in suspense as to whether or not he would continue the streak. No, he did not play, but Brett is back on the field again tonight. The cold, frozen, outdoor stadium, that usually plays home to the Golden Gophers will now host the Bears, the Vikings, and Brett Favre. Enough about Brett Favre, right? From the retirement wavering, to Sterger-gate, to the streak, to a return on Monday Night against long-time rival Chicago in front of the world, Favre has really worn out his welcome. Alas, he says this is the end, and I truly believe he means it this time. This has been a long, trying season and not nearly what he expected. But, I ask you one question…

Can you look past the last few seasons and remember Brett Favre, the hall of famer who loved to play football and made everyone love watching football. Let’s look at how Favre’s legend began, in mid-September of 1992, then Packer’s quarterback Don Majkowski left the game to injury. Enter Favre, all he did was fumble four times and the Packers trailed 23-17 and had the ball at their own 8 yard, Favre orchestrated a 92 yard game winning drive. The following week Green Bay defeated the Steelers and went on a six game winning streak and finished 9-7, just missing the playoffs. Green Bay went to the playoffs in 1993 for the first time since 1982, and in 1994 they became the first Packers team since the 60’s to make the playoffs in back to back seasons. Favre woud go on to dominate the remainder of the 90’s, winning three MVP awards from 1995-1997, leading the team to the NFC Championship game every year and a Super Bowl Title in 1996.

The nineties wound down and a new millennium started and Favre continued the streak, continued to entertain us, and continued to play the game he loved, but no one could have expected what was witnessed on December 22^nd, 2003. One day after the death of his father Favre took the field against the Raiders what remains his best game statistically, passing for four touchdowns, 399 yards, and a passer rating of 154.9. But that was not as memorable as the post game interview, in which through tears Favre said he played because that’s what his father would have wanted, he loved him, and he loved the game of football.

That is the Brett Favre I choose to remember, the one who played because he loved the game. He holds the record for most touchdowns, yards, wins, and nearly every other quarterback statistic, but I remember the Brett Favre that is tackling his receivers in the endzone, pelting Donald Driver with snow balls, and playing the game like a kid. Brett Favre, last year should have been your last, but I will always remember the pre-2010 you, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see that Brett reemerge tonight.