Brett Favre

During WW II, I had several favorite college football players. They were: Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Johnny Lujack, Chu Chu Justice, Charlie Trippi, and Leon Hart. Every Saturday my boarding school mates (Miami Country Day School) and I would sit around a radio and listen to the games: Army-Navy, Notre Dame-Army, Georgia-Alabama, and others. I remember the brutal game played by Lujack against Army. He payed QB for ND and also several defensive spots. All alone he held powerful Army to a tie. Brett Favre, in my mind, falls into that high-ranking category.

Brett announced his retirement on March 4, 2008 (more on this issue later).

So, lets take a look at his many, many records. One in particular impresses me, that is: 253 consecutive (uninterrupted) regular season starts at quarterback. If you add the playoff it rises to 275 games. That is, in my opinion, his greatest record. Football being a contact sport takes a toll on the human body. Just ask: Dan Marino, Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Bob Griese and others injured on the field. Brett has other records: 8,758 attempted passes, 5,377 completions, 61,655 total yards passing, and 442 TDs (Marino had 420). Brett had 288 interceptions. Well, no QB is perfect, right? Keep an eye on the Colt's Peyton Manning who is young and active and has 306 TDs.

Brett's bust will join Marino's and Elway's and others in the Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible. (I was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Cuban Sports on February 10, 2008.)

Will Brett stay retired? He indicated his retirement to the Green Bay Packers, and stated that it would be hard for him at 38 to get ready for the coming season. I have a problem with that statement because the Packers had a great 2007-2008 season: 13-3, and that good team needs Brett back on the field. I have a gut feeling that he is not finished playing. If Brett has lost the "fun for the game," he will, indeed, stay on the sidelines. As we all know, he has been a fun loving football star. Can you picture his helmet to helmet arguments with killer-D-men, his escapes from the grasps of defense men, his passed football reaching his receivers covered by two or more defensive men, his crazy sprints down field after each passing TD, raising his helmet in one hand demonstrating the joy of victory, widely smiling with an unshaven face (more white hairs now), and keeping the Packer bench alert and ready for action in a frozen Green Bay scenario. Indeed, he represented a wild, reckless modusoperandi on the playing field. Viva Brett!

Who are the best five modern QBs? (I am not qualified to pick them. But I will.) I will name them in alphabetical order. Here they are: Troy Aikman-John Elway-Bob Griese (tie), Brett Favre, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and Johnny Unitas (he was incredible!). Any comments? I welcome them at drmickeyicare@bellsouth.net.

I want to conclude with a memorable football game (I saw it!) that Brett played with a terrible broken heart on December 4, 2003. His dad had passed away (heart attack) the day before. On that sad, sad day, Brett--evidencing tears and courage--threw four TDs and the Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 47-7 on national TV. (He reminded me of "Blood and Guts"--General Patton defeating the Nazis in Europe.) Brett is one of the best--a legend, a football icon. If he does not come back, we will all miss him. Viva Brett!