Brett Favre Will ALWAYS Be a Part of the NFL Discussion

When linebacker Arthur Moats of the Buffalo Bills leveled Brett Favre, severely injuring the quarterback's right shoulder and leaving his hand numb, the writing was on the wall for Favre's fabled streak of consecutive starts. Indeed, the next week saw "The Old Gunslinger" on the bench for the first time since 1992, a span of 297 starts for three different teams. Fans everywhere marked this as the end, finally, of Favre's long and successful career, and Peyton Manning began clearing space on his resumé for the all-time records that he'd eventually take over from Favre. Of course, and as usual, reports of Favre's demise were exaggerated.

On a frigid, snow-encrusted night in Minnesota just a week after the streak ended, Favre surprised everyone by starting under center once again, facing the playoff-bound Bears under the most gnarly of weather conditions. As unbelievable as this turn of events may seem, it is really just par for the course for Favre, who has transformed himself from league MVP into the NFL's version of the stray puppy who just won't, can't go away for good.

Whether it's personal tragedy, supposed apathy for the game, contract disputes, or injuries, nothing keeps Brett Favre out of the football limelight for long. This latest "comeback" makes it clear, once and for all, that there will always be a chance, however slim and no matter the circumstances, that Favre will be on an NFL field on any given Sunday. Maybe your favorite team will lose all of its quarterbacks to injury next year, and Favre will step in to lead a charge to the playoffs. Maybe Mississippi will get an expansion team in 5 years, and Favre will find the prospect of guiding the hometown team too enticing to pass up. Maybe Favre will decide to play in one game each decade, Minnie Minoso-style, just to keep the fires burning.

Whatever the scenario, there is always the chance that we'll see Brett Favre slinging passes down the field again. He can't get enough, and, apparently, neither can we.