You May Not Agree, but....

Any discussion of toughness in the NFL starts with Brett Favre, because Brett Favre starts every game; columnist, players, coaches, the media, as well as fans have spoken these words. In a league with free agencies, unknowns about the 2011 season, as well as the future of several coaches in the league, we could always count on Brett.

The physical beatings never kept him out, mental pressures of being an NFL quarterback seemed to not faze him, and off field issues seemed to never be on his mind during game time. Well that was Brett, and this is now. Every athlete must endure the aches and pains that come with their profession; some last longer than others do, while others never get off the starting block.

Brett Favre seemed to be indestructible; he was fearless, defiant, and knew how to get the job done. However, now that Favre is a 41-year-old Super Bowl Champ; three time MVP of the league, and let’s face it, one of the best QB’s to ever play the game, will he ever be able to return to the game? 

I would have loved to see him win another Super Bowl last year, I would have enjoyed seeing him on the podium cracking jokes and just enjoying himself; I also would rather he not come back, and here's why. 

Michael Jordan, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, as well as other have came back and tried to compete in their sport again; MJ tried it in Washington, and Pernell tried just one more boxing match. Unfortunately, neither of them lived up to themselves. Yeah, they both had flashes of their younger selves, they still had the knowledge, if not more, and all three still have the competitive edge to make it in their respective sport: however, I would like to remember them the way they were.

Favre, Jordan, and Sweet Pea had nothing else to prove, Favre could have walked away last year and been done. Unfortunately, if he never plays again, my children will remember him only for what happened this year, they may never comprehend just how good these athletes were. Prima donnas and overly loud athletes that back up their words less than 100% of the time will lead our children astray. I feel as though the younger generation is cheated out of seeing athletes giving it their all, day in and day out.

We live in an age where Twitter, Facebook, and other social medias defy who our favorite athletes are, we live in a time where it is considered OK to take a play off; unfortunately, we live in a time where rookies just coming into the game are the highest paid players on the block…does this seem right? 

So, as the NFL advances into the playoffs, we shall see which teams have those leaders that play every down and which players understand that the NFL is a game of inches. Athletes may surprise us, they may Stop Dancing With The Stars; they may stop having dating shows or selling themselves out to the highest bidding reality show, and remember, or finally discover, that the game they play should be and is the most important thing.