Reality sets in (and bites I might add)

It was a sad day yesterday for us cheeseheads. It was really a sad day for the entire NFL nation. Both franchises owe a lot to #4, Brett Favre, and now that he's retiring neither will be the same unfortunately.

I'm doing my best today to be positive and think about the fact that Favre gave us an incredible run. We couldn't have asked or expected more from a QB. He broke tons of records, his stats speak for themselves, but he did so much more beyond that. Football fans everywhere know #4 on the field, but true Packer fans...actual cheeseheads know the other side of Favre off the field. He doesn't like the spotlight and even though he's worth more than most people in Hattiesburg, he's probably the least pretentious guy in the state of Mississippi.

This is why I don't believe that he'll end up in a big sports broadcasting career anytime soon. He'd be great at it, and I'm sure his agent's phone has been ringing off the hook with offers since the official announcement yesterday, but I think he'd rather just ride off into the Mississippi sunset on his tractor. He's a normal everyday guy that never asked for or dreamed he'd be one of the most popular QB's in NFL history. He knew he had ability and talent; he knew he had grit and determination, but he never knew that it would turn into a larger than life soon to be Hall of Famer. Favre has a way of playing the game that can't really be coached...you're born with it. He could be coached to a certain extent, but he has an uncanny ability as he studied film and read defenses to eventually go with his gut. He came up with some of his own plays...thankfully Coach McCarthy knew him well enough to allow him to do that - it obviously paid off this past season.

Brett has never forgotten where he came from and he has tried to give back. His and Deanna's foundation has helped people less fortunate for years. He has actively been involved with Make a Wish. He and Deanna have big hearts that have overcome incredible odds. They have gone through multiple deaths of family members, car wreck that required serious intestinal surgery, addiction, cancer, a natural disaster and many naysayers early in his career...and even later in his career. They are private people, but have always handled tragedies publicly and head on. I appreciate people who shoot straight and that seems to be the way they are.

I was born a Packer fan since my dad was from Milwaukee. Over the years there have certainly been highs and lows, wins and losses, from laughing stock of the NFL to a SuperBowl win, but the love for the Pack never changes no matter what if you're truly a cheesehead - with or without #4. The Favre family earned our respect, love and support over the years. They will always be a party of the Packer family. It has been a great run and as a member of Packer Nation I wish Brett the best. I'm privileged to have been able to see him play live...both on the road and at Lambeau.

Now we look forward to the Rodgers era. That sounds strange, but I support him wholeheartedly along with anyone else who is fortunate enough to wear that Packer jersey. Who knows what could happen...nobody expected much from a southern boy from Kiln, Mississippi when he got traded to our team but he ended up with 3 MVP awards. Rodgers has sat patiently waiting in the wings and he deserves a shot...he has been there long enough to know what big shoes he has to fill. I hate that my children won't get to see Favre play except from highlights...my oldest only got to see him a short time - not long enough and he's not old enough to truly appreciate what he was seeing.

I can't wait to hear Favre's press conference tomorrow to get it straight from him in his words with his southern drawl. Here's my "passing the torch" picture that I took this past pre-season at the Tennessee game...I didn't know how prophetic it would be until now: