As I'm training for Ironman Wisconsin, the all-time Ironman just announced his retirement. I have to share this e-mail I got from my friend Tim Bartell...
In every favorite sport, I have a favorite athlete. Someone from my lifetime who epitomizes what I love about each sport.
In basketball, it's Magic Johnson.
Boxing? No contest... Ali.
Baseball, it's Pete Rose. (Yes, I wish he hadn't bet on the sport. But I still find it easier to forgive Mr. Charlie-Hustle then I do Bonds or Clemens.)
And football... absolutely, it's Brett Favre. He's not the greatest player I've seen in my lifetime. I'd give that to either Jerry Rice or Lawrence Taylor. And the best QB ever? I think for how they faired in their eras, my tops there would be Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana.
But as far as pure love of the game, Brett has been my man. OK, it helps that he was a Packer. But had he gone to play for the Bears? Well, I could never love the Bears... I mean let's be real. But I would have cheered for Favre anywhere, even yes, in Chicago.
I love Brett for a thousand reasons that everyone will write about. The boyish enthusiasm... the mud on his jersey... for shovel passes and improvised plays... for running for first downs, laying beautiful blocks on 350 lb. lineman... or getting up after a sack, slapping the linebacker's helmet who just drove him into the ground with a "good one" tap...
For the Super Bowl he won... and even the one he valiantly lost... for the three MVP years in a row, when he played on a par with any QB, ever... for beating the Bears so, SO many times... for all those 4th quarter comebacks... for the interceptions... yes, even those. Because it said of the man, "no matter how many you pick off, you won't rattle me. I'll still be a gun-slinger at heart."
For those loving looks to the family section, searching for Deanna, like a High School QB with a crush on a cheerleader... for that incredible Monday night Oakland after his dad died... for 253 straight starts (275 including playoffs)... and for one last, amazing year - when almost everyone said he should have quit - and he played one of his best seasons in the last 10 years. For this and so many other reasons I can't put into words... Brett, thanks for being my all-time favorite. Your records will be bested, but there will never be another player like you in my lifetime.
