An Original

Last fall, the Packers were scheduled to play a game against the Minnesota Vikings up in the Metrodome.  Brett Favre was currently tied with Dan Marino for the all-time touchdown pass record.  One more scoring toss, and one of the biggest records in football would fall.  I bought a ticket to the game, and screamed my lungs out as history was made in front of me.  I'll never forget that moment.  For the rest of my life, I can always say that 'I was there when Brett broke the record'.  That's why today is a sad day.

What always made it so easy to cheer for Brett is that behind all the records, Super Bowls and MVP's, he's a normal guy.  He cuts his own grass.  He wears blue jeans.  He laughs.  He jokes.  He has a wife and kids.  Unlike most sports stars, Brett's always been a real person.  He was about more than football.  That's why today is a sad day.

On April 8th of 2006, I woke up at 6:30 AM to watch a press conference where rumor had it Brett was going to announce whether or not to play the upcoming season.  The team wasn't very good at the time, and I assumed that Mr. Favre would retire.  I was dead wrong.  He didn't.  He ended up playing two more years, including this past season where he almost led his team to the Super Bowl.  That's why today is a sad day.

3 MVP's.  2 Super Bowls.  Countless records for yards and touchdowns and starts and wins and who knows what else.  That's why today is a sad day.

Very few superstar athletes play sports for the right reasons.  Very few superstar athletes play sports like they did when they were still kids.  Very few superstar athletes can connect with the common fan.  That's why today is a sad day.  

After that news conference back in April 2006, I wrote about Brett Favre.  Out of all the posts I've ever written, I'm still most proud of that one.  I remember my friend Doug telling me that he didn't like that post because it was impossible to present a counter argument without "looking like a jerk."  The thing is, even if you've always cheered against Brett - you have to respect him and the things that he's done on and off the field.  The fact of the matter is that sports are more important with Brett Favre.  That's why today is a sad day.

My grandpa and I are Packers fans.  Every time I talked to grandpa, we would talk about the Packers.  And Brett Favre.  After Brett threw that famous overtime touchdown pass on Monday Night against Denver, grandpa was the first person I saw.  I was visiting him in Tucson, Arizona.  He was sick with cancer, and couldn't move too well - but you wouldn't have known it from talking to him.  He was like a little kid on Christmas talking about Brett throwing that winning touchdown pass.  For those of you who don't know already, my grandpa passed away just last week.  Any time someone loses a family member, it's sad.  But every time I watch that long pass floating off of Brett's arm - I will remember where I was.  In Tucson, visiting grandpa.  That's why today is a sad day.

Thanks Brett.  

Thanks.