Legendary quarterback, and pro waffler, Brett Favre filled out retirement papers for the second time in his career today. The first time he did so was when he first "retired" as a Green Bay Packer in 2008. Then he thought he could still play but didn't feel like he wanted to. He obviously had a change of heart which led to an ugly break up with the Packers and a trade to the New York Jets. He had a good first half of the season with the Jets, but a terrible second off half, prompting him to "retire" again. The Jets, unlike the Packers, released him after he retired. This allowed Favre to sign with any team if he decided to come back again. He did come back again, this time with the Minnesota Vikings, who are rivals to the Packers in the NFC North. Favre has a miraculous first year as a Viking and led the team to the NFC Championship. The Vikings basically begged him to come back and play again this year, but it was nothing like last year. Injuries to Favre and key receivers resulted in Favre's worst year in the NFL. He has stated throughout the entire season that this would be his last, and him doing the paperwork is a good start. The question still lingers though; is he really done this time? Yes, he's really done this time.
Brett Favre has always had a reason for coming back for another season. In 2008, he wanted to come back and stick it to the Packers management that he could still play at a high level and that not taking him back was a big mistake. He wanted to go to the Vikings back then, but with him still under contract with the Packers it was almost impossible for that to happen. So he accepted a trade to the Jets, where he did prove he could still play at a high level. His downfall in the second half was largely due to him playing with a torn tendon in his bicep. He had surgery on the bicep and signed with the Vikings. His reasoning for returning was that he would finally get a chance to play the team he felt betrayed him. He exacted his revenge on the Packers by beating them twice. He also had what most say was the best year of his career statistically, not to mention he lead the Vikes to within one game of the Super Bowl. He came back again this year because without Favre the Vikings would be nothing. The Vikings understood this and literally begged Favre to return by sending the three teammates Favre was closest to Mississippi to coax him back to Minnesota. It worked. Favre came back and officially stated he came back because he felt a duty to play out his contract with the Vikings and that he owed his teammates another year.
Now Favre has no more reasons to return. He could come back saying he wants to try and win another Super Bowl, but after his normally ultra-durable fell apart last season the chances of him guiding a team to a Super Bowl victory are slimmer than usual. He could come back saying he wants to play a full season before leaving the game for good, but at age 43 the chances of that are also very slim. He could come back saying he wants to go out on top, after having a great year, but his age and injury concerns again make the chances of that happening very slim. Brett Favre has given 20 years of his life to the NFL as a star quarterback, and he literally has nothing left. I think he'll quickly realize that when he looks back at this past season if he hasn't already. Favre's playing days are definitely over. No more waffling. No more devoting the summer to questioning whether he will return. No more teary press conferences. No more comebacks. Brett Favre will never suit up for the field again, but don't forget that's not the only thing you can suit up for. Remember, playing isn't the only job you can have in the NFL.
References:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6030210
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Favre#Green_Bay_Packers_.281992.E2.80.932007.29
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