Ick's Corner

This was the scene a few weeks after a heartbreaking lost to the Giants in the playoffs last year. Brett Favre decides to retire after 17 years, 16 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Even thought Packer fans knew this day would come, the Packer-nation cried with Favre. Not only because they were losing what had become the face of their franchise, but a 13-3 team was being turned over to Aaron Rodgers. Roughly a month later Favre says *Hey guys I was just kidding, I want to play again*.  Packer fans were torn by this news, some wanted to welcome him back with open arms, some wanted him to just walk away. The off season for the Packers team, and franchise was a stressful one. Decisions on what to do with Favre, should we let him come back? Should we stay with our commitment to Rodgers? How do we continue to let Favre hold our franchise hostage? And so let the drama begin….

The Packers front office decide to stand up to the diva quarterback, telling him he could report to training camp and compete for the starting job. *Bravo*!  Favre requests the team out right release him, so he could explore his options *go play for division rival Minnesota Vikings, or Chicago Bears* The Packers were having none of that *Bravo again* Instead the Packers work out a trade, to send Favre not only of the division, but out of the NFC all together.

Fast forward roughly a month.

The sports world is shocked by the news that Brett Favre, the iconic face of the Packers franchise had been traded to the New York Jets. The nickname *Broadway Brett* would soon follow. Trying to find salary cap room to accommodate the roughly $12 million dollar salary that came with Favre, the Jets decide to cast Chad Pennington out with the trash. This move would later divide the locker room. Favre and the Jets start winning some games, all is good in Jets country. The Jets find themselves cruising right along. Favre was making an effort to tone down the *gunslinger* mentality, and actually take the term *ball control* seriously.  The Jets hung around in the division race, and had a chance to win their division, but failed to close the deal. With their horrible play down the stretch, and the true Favre returning (2 TD Passes/9 Interceptions) the Jets find themselves sitting on their couch watching the playoffs.

Under normal circumstances when a player begins to play poorly, that player is benched. Favre was never benched during this stretch. This would  divide the locker room again, and lead Thomas Jones (Jets Runningback) to call out Favre in an interview earlier this week.  For the fourth season in a row, the *Will Favre Retire Watch* is on. Sources are reporting that Favre has told the Jets organization to look in a different direction at the quarterback position. Sound familiar? While I watched Favre run off the field after the loss to the Dolphins last week (led by Chad Pennington) I found myself  hoping Favre was running off the field for the last time.

Brett Favre has had one hell of a career. Filled with ups and downs, emotional highs and lows. One of my fondest memories of Favre, is the Monday Night Football game he played the day after his father passed away.  22/30 for 399 yards and 4 touchdown passes. In a career that has spanned 18 years, in my opinion this was Favre’s finest game ever. Hopefully Favre will finally walk away from the game he loves so much. Now is the time for Favre to go back to the farm, and enjoy his family. He should be proud of all he has accomplished in his 18 year career.

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