Tuesday morning I woke up for class and turned on the television, expecting to see the same highlights on ESPN that I had fallen asleep to, only to see the breaking news that Brett Favre had decided to retire.
I didn't expect to write my column this week on Favre, even after his announcement. But as I sat trying to come up with a topic to discuss, the only thing on my mind was the No. 4.
Growing up close to Green Bay and being a Packer fan for the majority of my life, I have only truly known one starting quarterback for the Packers. Sure, I've seen the highlight reels and the yearbooks of the Green and Gold prior to 1992, but I've never thought about anyone other than Favre ducking under center for the last 16 years.
Now that thought fills my head, and after thinking about it for most of yesterday, I am fine with it.
I realized that I had given Favre up years ago. I'm not saying that I didn't care last season or that I had decided that Favre needed to move on. Quite the contrary, I was willing to give Favre the reins of the offense for as long as he wanted, because I knew he wouldn't continue to play if he felt that he couldn't.
Two seasons ago is when I came to terms with Favre leaving. It was right after the Packers' 26-7 shellacking of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on NBC when Favre talked with the TV crew.
As Favre talked about how proud he was of his team and how they came together to win this game for him, the tears started to pour out of his eyes. I'd be a liar to say that my eyes didn't well up too.
Favre then left the field, and presumably our lives, and I spent the offseason coming to terms with it. It was now Aaron Rodgers' team, and I was fine with it after awhile.
At that time, Rodgers was still considered pretty green and somewhat of an unknown to Packer fans. But then Favre came back, sending Rodgers to the sideline for another season of observance.
Now, however, Favre has done the opposite. Everyone expected Favre to return, and instead he hung up his cleats.
Rodgers is now ready, and has proven the critics wrong during the season, almost leading Green Bay to a come-from-behind-victory against the Cowboys in Dallas.
Favre will surely be missed, and the montages showing his greatness will undoubtedly continue for a long time. But, in the end, the Packers will be fine and should still be considered the leaders of the NFC North, and within the top five of the NFC.
The defense is strong and is expected to bulk up even more during the draft.
Another offseason will strengthen the offensive line and give Rodgers time to develop a rapport with the wide receivers - if that is still necessary.
Losing Favre hurts and will continue to hurt for a while. But if fans can look past Favre and his accomplishments, and look toward the future, they will see that the Packers' organization is as bright as ever.
As for Favre, thank you for all that you have done for Green Bay and for the game of football.
E-mail Nate your Favre stories at ncarey@dailycardinal.com.
