the end of an era.....

Today is a sad day in Wisconsin athletic history. Today, you said goodbye to the game you made famous. Everyone who knows anything about football knows your name associated with an indescribable feat. You risked it all and took the route not traveled, the sacrifice dive, or the famous "hail-mary" pass. Often coming out on top, victorious. You took challenges and risks and no matter what happened, we were behind you all the way. You Mr. Favre, were our shining light. Our hopes, dreams, and secret goals lived through you. Each of us threw a ball hoping some day it would leave our hand with the power like yours...never did, it but we wished it all the same. Tears were brought to our eyes during many games. The way you and the team poured their hearts out on the field; leaving tired and bruised. The night you played the game after your fathers death made many of question whether you were best friends with God. Your adversity to overcome obstacles has been outstanding. Our hearts went out to you and your family. To them you may be just an average guy who happens to have a heck of an arm. To us, you're our hero.

You showed children that football is fun. No matter how much money you have made from start to finish, you have given it one hundred percent. Your smile on the field has made us smile in our homes. The way you celebrate touchdowns like it's your first one ever. You ran around with you helmet in your hand raised above your head, showing the world what great things were to come. The way you pat players on the backs, give them a wink, crack a joke, or snap a towel you do it all with vigor. You have adopted Green Bay as your second home and we have adopted you as our second son. Through thick and thin, we have stood by you and you by us. Your devotion to the green and gold has almost out shined your best plays. Green Bay has changed since you have arrived here some sixteen years ago. You gave us something to look forward to in the fall and a reason for us to enjoy the winter. Families planned their vacations around Green Bay now, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "great one" during practice. The game will never be the same without you in it. Many have said you're so modest and kind and that's what makes you loved. Not a single player has spoke negative words about you which says even more about you then your gunslinging arm.

We first saw a fierce football player. Little by little the layers came away and we see now a great man as well. Your private life has become more in the public eye then maybe you have wanted, but with your disclosure of your private life, you have lifted many others up. Your fight with addiction helped others get back on track. Deanna's fight with breast cancer showed others that life is worth fighting for. Money and fame have not gone to Deanna's or your head. This shows a lot about your roots and family upbringing. You taught our children how to behave off the field as well as on. Tell your family thank you from us as you spend your upcoming years with them. They have been patiently waiting for you.

Your family has continued to donate their time, faith, and love to children to brighten their day. Little did we know it also brightens yours. We see you on a pedestal...you see yourself as an average guy. Neither of us are right, but we can't say neither is wrong as well. How could we have known a boy from Mississippi could turn into a magnificent man right before our eyes? You fit in better in Wisconsin with your hospitality and charm then even some Wisconsinites do. You have stayed true to yourself and also honest with us, which makes us even more proud to call you 'ours.'

Great days are ahead of us. When Lambeau Field adds your number to the retired jersey's of legends hanging on their sacred walls; and the day you are forever recognized as a record breaking quarterback in the National Football Hall of Fame. Both are well deserved and you have worked so hard to earn the titles.

We are all preparing on how to tell our children of the days we watched the great Brett Favre make the incredible pass and then pat his teammates on the back. The joy you had as you ran around the field, celebrating every play from year number one to year seventeen. We will teach them to be like you, more then we will ask them to mirror us.

We're sorry we often got carried away and didn't let you live your life outside of football. Sometimes we get so caught up, we forget there is more to you then your football legacy. Even though some say it, you don't owe us anything. You already made it seventeen years longer then some pets, some jobs, and some loves. We knew you'd be there for us year after year and for that we're happy. It's great to have "known" you for so long and like all good things, this must come to an end too. We wish you well. Have fun hunting, spending time with family and friends, and when football season comes around, we'll all be thinking of you.

We'll forever remember the day this announcement was made. You may think you don't deserve it, to us you couldn't deserve more. There's not much we can say Mr. Favre to tell you how much you have impacted all of our lives. Most for better, other NFL fans for worse. From now on, most of us when given a choice to choose a number will choose number four; knowing in the back of our minds that if forever belongs to you. Thank you for your heart, your dedication to Green Bay and the fans, and your love for life. On the field and off you have helped many of us see the joys in life. You will forever be Deanna's Brett...and forever in our hearts, our Favre.



"But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, his greatest fulfillment of all he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." - Vince Lombardi