Look Phil, the past 4 years the media has blown it out of proportion. Look, perhaps the first two years were a little overblown, but the fact is good QB's have retired at 33 and 34. So it is natural to wonder if Brett would stick around.
The past two years have been called for. It was a really hard time for Brett to loose his father, and the fact is that no one was sure if he would want to come back after that. Then last year, he lost his brother in law and found out his wife had breast cancer. He faced a road in which he had to decide if his career was worth staying away from home, where seemingly so many problems were arrising. You cannot blame Brett for the media questioning his retirement for the past 2 years. Maybe they overblew it the first couple of years, but it is a real issue for now (after what his family went through in Katrina), and the it has been an issue the previous 2 years.
The quote said that Brett wasn't sure he wanted the ball in crunch time, with the game on the line. That does not mean that he is afraid to fail. Phil I am sure you can attest to this, if the game is on the line, a person's competitive nature kicks in. If you are good at what you do, then you want the ball because you think you can win. Brett never said he didn't think he could win, Brett questioned whether he had that competitive nature in him still to want the ball. As Winni pointed out, real men with integrity are not afraid to question themselves. What Brett did was merly point out that if he felt he wasn't willing to have the ball in his hands and lead the Packers on a last drive, whether or not he should be playing.
Brett has had the ball in his hands during the final two minutes many times. He has won a few, and also lost a few. Why on earth would he be afraid of loosing when he already has lost a few before. Answer me that Phil. Even Brett knows he can't win em all, and he isn't concerned with winning them all. Just going out there and doing his best. But he questioned whether that was possible if he didn't have the spirit and drive to want the ball in crunch time. He never ONCE said he was afraid to fail, because Brett will be the first to tell you he has failed on many occasions.
And you say I consider Brett a hero? Well I consider Brett to be a source of inspiration. This man has faced more adversity than most do in a lifetime, yet he has bounced back every time. He has NEVER missed a game, when it would have been easy for him to. He could have skipped one after his father died, but no. He honoured his father in a way that his father would have been proud. His wife lost her brother, found out she had breast cancer, and Brett lost a friend in Reggie White. He never once took a game off to deal with those distractions. He showed up for work and by God he did it with a smile. Then his family went through hell during Katrina, and fighting for their lives. Did he skip any games? NO! Brett has played with broken thumbs, something I think you would appreciate since Grossman struggles to stay healthy. Is Brett a hero, well it depends on the person you ask. But in mordern times, Brett is certainly inspiration for people that no matter how hard things get, you can make it through. I said it before, I take exception to anyone challenging this man's will and desire. Brett Favre is Brett Favre, but one thing Brett Favre is not is a coward (which means being afraid to loose).
)
