Fadedwords

Growing up I got along OK most of the time with both of my parents.  When I became a teenager though, there was some tension between me and my Dad.  We were too much alike for our own good, and tended to argue and fight.  I also didn’t have much in common with him from my point of view, and was a little jealous that both my step-brother and step-sister could always sit down and watch football with him.  I had no idea what was going on, so I didn’t really see too much point in watching.

This changed one fall day in 1996.  I decided that I wanted to understand what all the fuss was about.  So I sat down with my Dad and asked him to explain the game to me.  The game was The Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears.  Dad said he’d explain anything to me as long as I was really going to watch the game.  So I did.  At first I just thought that the quarterback was cute; Brett Favre would flash a big grin every time I threw for a touchdown, which happened a lot that game.  The Packers won that game, 37-6, and I decided right then and there that I was a Packers fan. 

I was heckled a little bit here and there, especially by my step-brother who tried to talk some smack about me when I spoke of my “favorite team”.  This never waivered, even during losses.  I was riveted to the television any time the Pack was playing, and eventually it wasn’t just because I thought Brett Favre was handsome.  Eventually I really enjoyed the game, because it was fun to watch.  It also brought me closer to my Dad.

I watched as Green Bay beat the Patriots in Superbowl XXXI  35-21.  My pride and excitement could not be contained.  I was devestated when they lost to the Broncos the following year, with nearly the same spread  31-24.  I watched through the season when Brett Favre’s father passed away.  I became a true fan of this team that had so many ups and downs. 

Last year I was afraid Brett Favre would retire; he is my favorite player even still.  I’ll admit, his dashing good looks are part of his charm.  More than that, I truly believe he is one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen.  I cried when he spoke with reporters after the last Chicago game last year, knowing I would miss watching him play so much.  I was elated when he said he would return for another year.

This season was full of ups, which was a welcome change from last year.  It was sad and disappointing when the team didn’t make it to the Superbowl, but given the fantastic season I truly believed that Brett would come back one more time to make a bid for the Superbowl. 

Brett Favre has announced that he is retiring.  After 17 years of dedication, achievement, and outstanding contributions to the world of football, he is leaving.  It may seem silly to be emotional about something as simple as a quarterback retiring, but I look back and I know that some of my fondest memories with my Dad are with us watching Brett Favre throw the ball down the field.  I know that I’ll continue to be a fan and that Dad and I will continue to call each other up on game day… but it won’t be exactly the same. 

I’ll miss that.