Why The Streak is Over

The Streak is over.

If it isn’t, it should be.

 Brett Favre’s staggering streak of 297 consecutive games started is in serious jeopardy this week after he sustained a sprained shoulder courtesy of the Buffalo Bills’ Andrew Moats who hit Favre from the blind side, causing yet another interception in one of Favre’s least memorable seasons, and drove him into the turf, leaving Favre in obvious pain that forced him out of the game. Backup QB Tavaris Jackson took over and promptly took over the game, throwing the ball much like a young Randall Cunningham and leading the Vikes to a big win over lowly Buffalo.

The Vikings are mum on Favre’s condition and whether or not he’ll even practice, let alone start. But Brett should take stock, and end The Streak now.

It would be for all the right reasons. All the reasons Favre says himself.

Favre has repeatedly preached “The team, the team, the team” and doing what is best for the team.

A banged up and ailing Favre is not best for the team.

A QB with as putrid a QB rating as Favre has is not best for the team.

A QB who is throwing ints at an embarrassing rate is not best for the team.

A 41 year old grandfather at QB is not best for the team.

Keeping a promising young QB on the bench is not best for the team.

And, most damning, a QB who can longer get the job done is not best for the team.

Boxing analogies are always compelling. An aging Joe Louis was soundly and roundly beaten by a young Rocky Marciano (photo R), who later wept at beating up his former idol. There is a famous Sports Illustrated cover featuring an overweight, over aged, over-the-hill Muhammad Ali slumped helplessly on his stool between rounds while being pounded relentlessly by a young Larry Holmes. The image of these valiant, aged, and beaten former champions is not how we choose to remember them. Hanging on too long can tarnish the image.

Selfishness does the same thing.

The beatings for Favre
have taken their toll
this year

Yes, there is something to be said about answering the bell. There are great plaudits for showing up for work every day and never calling in sick. There is respect in seeing a player play through pain and injury.

But when those qualities wane in favor of a player just hanging on for one more, it is time to call it a day.

We have witnessed the great Brett Favre do many great things. This season cannot be included in any of them. When Favre enters the Hall of Fame, as he should, and goes in as a Packer, as he should, Packer fans everywhere should show up armed with a bucket of white out for this finale to his career. This is not how Favre showed be remembered, nor should it diminish his accomplishments. His on field shortcomings coupled with his off fields shortercomings are enough for Brett to finally look reality square in the eye and blink. Brett has always been proud, vain, maybe, and record conscious. His Streak is ready, as he should be. If he is honest with himself, his measure of this year should be enough for him to see he is tarnishing his own reputation.

And to continue would do just that.

It would be Brett doing what is best for Brett in Brett’s mind and to hell with the consequences. This would be ego, and hubris of the highest order, and to carry on is no longer about “The team, the team, the team”.

It would be all about Brett, and all about The Streak.

The Vikings now have a better chance to win with Jackson at the helm. Favre has been given ample time to produce and has failed to do so. He has been given enough slack and rope, and used it to hang former Head Coach Brad Childress. He is in danger of fitting the noose around his own neck.

Favre down and out this year

If Brett truly is all about “The team, the team, the team” and what is best for the team it would be time for him to go out, and go out on his terms. No mas, no mas. Enough already and call it a day. It is time for Minnesota to cut its losses and start the rebuilding. Favre has taken a beating this year, and beating young men half his age would find difficult to take. These are injuries that could spell the end of a young older man and the ability to have a quality of life. Forget for a moment Favre’s ability to play. Favre’s ability to walk is being compromised by his stubbornness. Tavaris Jackson looked good in relief and he has certainly earned consideration. And let’s face it – the Vikings really can’t do much worse at QB than they are right now. The future is now.

Brett Favre is not part of that future. His past, his legacy is at 297, and should end at 297.

Not 298.

Or 300.

297.

297 days, 297 great days that will never be forgotten or lost in the record books.

These past few years have been an exercise in watching Brett indulge himself and the notion of walking away has to be daunting.

The Streak is over, Brett. It was a helluva ride.

Brett Favre as he should be remembered