Marc's Remarks
No Hard Feelings: Favre's Return Reminds a Fan Why He First Started Loving the Game
By Marcus Jensen
 |
| Brett Favre runs onto the field after the Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI. |
This past week, the Green Bay Packers announced that three-time MVP and Super Bowl XXXI-winning quarterback Brett Favre would have his jersey number retired and would be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame.
Favre was traded to the Packers from the Atlanta Falcons during the 1992 season and became the starter soon afterward. Favre went on to set nearly every passing record, including most touchdown passes, most yards and most completions. Beginning week four of the 1992 season, Favre started 253 consecutive games for the Packers over 16 seasons.
Favre announced his retirement from football in the 2008 offseason, leading the way for current starter Aaron Rodgers to take the starting job. After attempting to make a comeback as the Packers' starter, Favre was traded to the New York Jets. He later played for the Packers' rival, the Minnesota Vikings, for two seasons, leading them to the NFC championship game in the 2009 season.
Favre officially retired from football in 2010, amassing 508 touchdown passes, 71,838 yards passing, 6,300 completions and 336 interceptions, all NFL records.
Bad blood existed between Favre and Packers General Manager Ted Thompson. Bad blood also existed between many Packer fans when Favre went to play for the Vikings. This week's announcement is an attempt to put those to rest, although some Packer fans still hold a grudge against Favre, and say they would boo him when he makes his way back onto the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field.
I have been a fan of football for as long as I can remember. But I didn't have a favorite football team growing up. I would just watch the games on Sunday and Monday, enjoying the action.
That was until one particular year. I can't remember the game, I can't remember the score, but I remember the team. It was the Green Bay Packers. I sat on my couch at home watching no. 4 running and slinging the ball around the field. I remember seeing his face as he threw a touchdown pass. The pure elation that he showed captured me that day. I became a Favre fan.
Favre played with a passion and a love for the game that I had never seen before and have never seen since. He hooked me into football becoming my favorite sport and the Packers as my favorite team. Watching a grown man act like an excited kid was something refreshing. I owe Favre for making me the fan that I am.
I still remember the game against the Vikings where Favre became the all-time touchdown leader. He threw the ball to Greg Jennings. He then went on to rush down the field with his arms up and a huge smile on his face. He then lifted Jennings onto his shoulders and carried him a few yards down the field before running with his teammates back to the bench. Moments like that are vintage and classic Favre.
I remember sitting through a 4-12 season. I also remember sitting through Brett's final season, going 13-3 before losing in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants in 2008. I remember the highs, with an incredible throw to win the game, and the lows, with Brett trying to make something happen, before losing the game on his trademark interception. Every game, he played the same way– as a kid out in the backyard, slinging a football around without a care in the world. No wonder his nickname was "the Gunslinger."
Then Favre gave his memorable retirement speech, unbeknownst to anyone as something that would later be taken back. He cried as he announced giving up the game that he loved. That speech still lives on in me. His actual retirement speech didn't give the same feeling.
Then the Packers moved on. After a struggle in his first season, going 6-10, Aaron Rodgers hasn't missed the playoffs for the Packers. And Favre went on to have a successful season for an arch-rival, before having a nightmare final season in Minnesota.
Now, I never held a grudge against Favre for wanting to continue his career after the only team he had really played for had moved on. I didn't even hold a grudge when he went to a division rival. I missed him at times during that 6-10 season, but I continued as a true green and gold fan.
And why would I hold a grudge? Brett was my favorite player. He helped me learn to love the game of professional football. And after he left, another future Hall-of-Famer took his place. Rodgers has provided the Packers with a Super Bowl of his own, along with being the most efficient quarterback of all-time.
Why would I hold a grudge when the Packers have continued the success that Favre started – a return to glory of the most storied franchise in the NFL? Why would I be mad when a man wanted to continue to play the game he loved? Can I blame a guy for wanting to play in a dome in a familiar division? Especially with him staying meaning that we would have probably lost Aaron Rodgers to free agency.
If I am able to go to Lambeau Field when Favre's number is retired and he runs out one last time from the tunnel, I would be the loudest fan in the stadium. He not only gave me many memories as a Packers fan, but he engrained in me a love of football that I hope to never lose. I owe Brett Favre for the love of the game that I have.
As a Packers fan and as a Favre fan, I urge all fellow Packer fans to look back on what Favre did for the franchise. Now look at where we are now. We have the best quarterback in the league behind center. We have another championship in Title Town. Our arrow is pointed up this season. We are one of the few franchises that can say with certainty that we are title-contenders this year.
The Packers have been better over the last four seasons than they maybe have ever been since the days of Lombardi and the days of consecutive league titles. What is there to be mad about? Let's enjoy the ride. Go Pack go!
Favre was traded to the Packers from the Atlanta Falcons during the 1992 season and became the starter soon afterward. Favre went on to set nearly every passing record, including most touchdown passes, most yards and most completions. Beginning week four of the 1992 season, Favre started 253 consecutive games for the Packers over 16 seasons.
Favre announced his retirement from football in the 2008 offseason, leading the way for current starter Aaron Rodgers to take the starting job. After attempting to make a comeback as the Packers' starter, Favre was traded to the New York Jets. He later played for the Packers' rival, the Minnesota Vikings, for two seasons, leading them to the NFC championship game in the 2009 season.
Favre officially retired from football in 2010, amassing 508 touchdown passes, 71,838 yards passing, 6,300 completions and 336 interceptions, all NFL records.
Bad blood existed between Favre and Packers General Manager Ted Thompson. Bad blood also existed between many Packer fans when Favre went to play for the Vikings. This week's announcement is an attempt to put those to rest, although some Packer fans still hold a grudge against Favre, and say they would boo him when he makes his way back onto the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field.
I have been a fan of football for as long as I can remember. But I didn't have a favorite football team growing up. I would just watch the games on Sunday and Monday, enjoying the action.
That was until one particular year. I can't remember the game, I can't remember the score, but I remember the team. It was the Green Bay Packers. I sat on my couch at home watching no. 4 running and slinging the ball around the field. I remember seeing his face as he threw a touchdown pass. The pure elation that he showed captured me that day. I became a Favre fan.
 |
| Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre lifts receiver Greg Jennings onto his back after throwing for his record 421 touchdown, surpassing Dan Marino as the all-time leader. |
Favre played with a passion and a love for the game that I had never seen before and have never seen since. He hooked me into football becoming my favorite sport and the Packers as my favorite team. Watching a grown man act like an excited kid was something refreshing. I owe Favre for making me the fan that I am.
I still remember the game against the Vikings where Favre became the all-time touchdown leader. He threw the ball to Greg Jennings. He then went on to rush down the field with his arms up and a huge smile on his face. He then lifted Jennings onto his shoulders and carried him a few yards down the field before running with his teammates back to the bench. Moments like that are vintage and classic Favre.
I remember sitting through a 4-12 season. I also remember sitting through Brett's final season, going 13-3 before losing in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants in 2008. I remember the highs, with an incredible throw to win the game, and the lows, with Brett trying to make something happen, before losing the game on his trademark interception. Every game, he played the same way– as a kid out in the backyard, slinging a football around without a care in the world. No wonder his nickname was "the Gunslinger."
Then Favre gave his memorable retirement speech, unbeknownst to anyone as something that would later be taken back. He cried as he announced giving up the game that he loved. That speech still lives on in me. His actual retirement speech didn't give the same feeling.
Then the Packers moved on. After a struggle in his first season, going 6-10, Aaron Rodgers hasn't missed the playoffs for the Packers. And Favre went on to have a successful season for an arch-rival, before having a nightmare final season in Minnesota.
Now, I never held a grudge against Favre for wanting to continue his career after the only team he had really played for had moved on. I didn't even hold a grudge when he went to a division rival. I missed him at times during that 6-10 season, but I continued as a true green and gold fan.
And why would I hold a grudge? Brett was my favorite player. He helped me learn to love the game of professional football. And after he left, another future Hall-of-Famer took his place. Rodgers has provided the Packers with a Super Bowl of his own, along with being the most efficient quarterback of all-time.
Why would I hold a grudge when the Packers have continued the success that Favre started – a return to glory of the most storied franchise in the NFL? Why would I be mad when a man wanted to continue to play the game he loved? Can I blame a guy for wanting to play in a dome in a familiar division? Especially with him staying meaning that we would have probably lost Aaron Rodgers to free agency.
If I am able to go to Lambeau Field when Favre's number is retired and he runs out one last time from the tunnel, I would be the loudest fan in the stadium. He not only gave me many memories as a Packers fan, but he engrained in me a love of football that I hope to never lose. I owe Brett Favre for the love of the game that I have.
As a Packers fan and as a Favre fan, I urge all fellow Packer fans to look back on what Favre did for the franchise. Now look at where we are now. We have the best quarterback in the league behind center. We have another championship in Title Town. Our arrow is pointed up this season. We are one of the few franchises that can say with certainty that we are title-contenders this year.
The Packers have been better over the last four seasons than they maybe have ever been since the days of Lombardi and the days of consecutive league titles. What is there to be mad about? Let's enjoy the ride. Go Pack go!
No comments:
Post a Comment