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February 3, 2010

Brett Favre's Legacy


I've sat on this blog for a almost two weeks now and put a lot of thought into this. Foolishly assuming that Brett Favre is actually done with playing football, the question is how will he be remembered?

Of course when you think about Favre it's hard to ignore the last couple of seasons. Favre toyed with fans announcing his retirement twice and then later deciding to come back to play both times. The year in New York is almost considered a lost season. He played with Jet's fans and gave them hope before fading at the end of the season. We all knew he was done in New York after that Dolphins game, the bigger question was if he was done with Football.

For the next few months Favre's won't he or will circus was all the rage. The Vikings were willing to do just about anything to get him to comeback and play while the Packers were willing to pay him $20 million to retire. When Brad Childress rolled up at the airport to pick up Favre at the a collective "$hit" was heard from Packer nation. Suddenly there was a civil war and loyal Packer fans were seen at the bar wearing purple and gold. Favre then spent the next 5 months slowing ripping out the heart of Packer fans as he lead the Vikings to the second best record in the NFC, including two victories over the Packers.

Then Favre, at the ancient age of 40 (in terms of Football) tore apart the Cowboys to put the Vikings one game away from another Super Bowl appearance. As the game against the Saints moved on it just seemed it was setting up for Favre to have that drive. The Vikings made mistake after mistake but were still right there with a chance to win. They were driving down the field and really just needed a few yards to set up a game winning Super Bowl. Favre then dropped back and had the space to run for those must needed yards when he did what he does. He saw a throw that shouldn't be made and tried to make it. When Tracy Porter picked that ball off you knew it was over. The Saints won the toss and after the one of the worst overtime drives I've ever seen, kicked a 42 yard field goal to end Favre's run.

Favre's numbers are hard to ignore. He is the all time leader in wins and touchdowns thrown. He won three MVP's in a row and lead his team to two straight Super Bowl appearances, winning one. The record that really stands out though is the consecutive games played streak. His toughness, above all other attributes, will be remembered over everything else. There's no denying his drive to play the game and that streak puts that drive into numbers. Weather his motivation was the streak alone, records, winning championships, or just pure love of the game it's still an amazing streak.

All and all you it's hard to argue that Favre is one of the best to ever play the game but I think too many people want to place Favre as one of the top 3 or 5 quarterbacks to ever play the game. Favre has the records that the average fan may view him as the greatest to ever play but this isn't Baseball. Records are just an after thought in Football. Football is about one thing, winning championships. You're career is judged based on how you play in the post season and Super Bowls you win. Favre has won just 1 Super Bowl.

Overall he has started 24 playoff games, more then any other quarterback in the history of the game. He's also lost 11 of those games, also more then any other quarterback in the history of the game (just ahead of Marino and Kelly).

To me this perfectly illustrates his career. He was great enough to get you there but maybe just too stubborn to get you to the top. For every great record he has it almost seems he has a "yeah but" record to follow. For every throw that makes your jaw drop in amazement his next one has you putting your head through a wall.

Favre is arguably the greatest regular season quarterback to ever play the game, the numbers would say the greatest. When the playoffs came around he was really just another quarterback. Favre, in my memory, never had that game in the playoffs that stands out. Favre's post season failures are remembered more then his successes.

At the end of the day I have one play that stands out in my mind. It was in 2004 during a regular season game against the Giants. The Packers were off to a slow start that season and this game wasn't looking any better. To add to it in the third quarter Favre took a big hit that left him with a concussion. After sitting out two plays Favre placed himself back in the game. The next play, his last in that game, was a 28 yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker. Favre simply did what he does. He ignored basic logic and took a chance, it just so happen to work out for him that time.

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