Being in the TV sports business, I have a crazy sleep schedule. Rarely am I in bed before 2:00 a.m. and up before 11 a.m. My friends and family know this which is why I was getting agitated when my phone kept vibrating on my nightstand at 9:00 a.m. After going in and out of sleep for a few minutes, I realized what was going on; Brett Favre had made his announcement to return.
I immediately shot up out of bed to check my texts, only to realize that I was waking up to a nightmare. The first text read:
“Wake up, Wake up! Get out the song Glory Days… Brett retired. : (“
I sprinted downstairs like Favre chasing a wide receiver after a long touchdown pass. Only instead of picking up a teammate to celebrate, I was hit with a rush of shock, disbelief, and sadness all at once. How? Why? What? This can’t be true.
But it was. Following the NFC Championship, I didn’t want to deal with people. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, so I changed my voicemail to “Hey, this is David. I don’t want to talk about it.â€Â After my rude awakening Tuesday morning, I knew people would once again call and text, some to express their condolences like my dog had just died; some to brag and laugh and wish me 253 games of bad luck for Packers quarterbacks. While dealing with the grieving process, my voicemail returned to a somber, “Yup, you guessed it…don’t wanna talk about it.â€Â
That didn’t stop the messages from pouring in. And while I’m still not thawed out enough to verbally express my loss, I figured I should shed some light on number four calling it a career. Let’s call this a text message bag.Â
“Favre retires! Yes†–TSB.net writer Andy Weise
JERK!
“Condolences to the widow†–Andy, (Bears Fan)
One of the true Bears fans who truly respect Favre despite his hatred for the Packers. Is this how a widow feels; empty, like a zombie just going through the motions?
“This sucksâ€
“He really wanted Moss†–Jason, Tinley Park, IL
Maybe… but Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson insist he never mentioned that to them and that it was NOT a factor in his decision. Favre’s agent though stated that Brett would have certainly returned if Green Bay had signed Randy Moss. I highly doubt that Moss would be the reason for Favre to hang it up after 17 seasons.Â
“Sorry. I realized I clicked your name but should have left out the yes part because I love you.†–Andy Weise
You’re still a jerk!
“Favre retired? U in tears?†–my brother Mark (Bears fan)
No, thankfully I was too busy at work doing Favre stuff to have alone time and actually realize what happened. It likely won’t really hit me until Week One when Aaron Rodgers is announced as the starting quarterback. I am however preparing for an angry drunken college girl-type breakdown at any moment.
“Sorry to hear Favre is retiringâ€
“Did you know Favre’s first completion was to himself†–David, Springfield, OH
Did you just ask me that? Really? No, I didn’t know that. Sheesh, what kind of fan do you take me for? (Just kidding, yes, I knew that. I study the Packers media guide at every chance I get.)
“Did Favre retire for sure?â€
“I think we need to draft a QB early as insurance†–Vassilis, Milwaukee
I’m not sure a young, inexperienced quarterback should be a major priority. I think we need a veteran to serve as Rodgers’ back-up. The available names of Daunte Culpepper, Byron Leftwich, and David Carr don’t exactly sound appetizing. I would not be shocked if Craig Nall is second on the Pack depth chart at the start of training camp. Ugh.
“Is it true tell me it’s not true did #4 just retire?†–Rebecca, Madison
I believe it. I guess until we hear from Favre outside of a voicemail left on Chris Mortensen’s cell phone, I will still hold a microscopic sized glimmer of hope. I do find it a bit odd that all we’ve heard from Brett has come in the form of a voicemail left on a journalist’s phone. Favre’s fans deserve to hear something official directly from the man himself.
“He gone! Sorry man. There’s always room for you on the purple bandwagon†–Chris, (Vikings Fan)
Half-heartedly sincere. It’s more likely for me to become a Bears fan than a Vikings fan. Yup, you read that right.
“Hold it together… Steady…†–Bob, former boss
Don’t worry, the shoelaces have been taken out and I won’t wear a belt for at least a week.
“I do not know why he called it quits? Still a good young teamâ€-the same Jason from earlier
The timing doesn’t make sense for me either. The Pack was one play away from the Super Bowl. If Favre is mentally drained though, you have to respect the 17 years he poured into the game and the passion he displayed on a game-to-game basis.
“Could I have retired last year? Maybe. Should I retire this year? Probably. I love Brett.†–Matt, Menomonee Falls, WI
This text actually made me laugh. Favre needs to hold one last press conference just so he can put together a string of asking and answering his own questions. By far, one of my favorite things about Favre, as weird as that may sound.
“How u taking the news? C the mention I gave in WIR.†–TSB.net founder, Paul M. Banks
I am taking the news much better than I thought I initially would. Packer nation as a whole is in mourning and I am sure it will last for some time. One thing I am not is bitter. As much as I dislike it, I respect the decision Favre made and am grateful to have followed his career, both as a fan and as a member of the media. There is just a presence to Favre when you are around him. It’s almost unexplainable. I just wish everybody had the opportunity to experience some of the unbelievable memories that I will forever cherish because of Favre.
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