The streak is over at 297. The NFL twitter feed confirmed that Minnesota Viking’s quarterback Brett Favre wouldn’t play tonight when the Vikings take on the New York Giants.
“@NFL #Vikings confirm Brett Favre is inactive and won’t play against #Giants, ending consecutive starts streak at 297 games.”
The end wasn’t glamorous and definitely not on Favre’s terms. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Favre suffered a sprain to his throwing shoulder when took a blindside hit from the Bills Arthur Moats.
We make jokes about Favre’s interceptions, TV commentators verbally fellatiating him and his inability to use a cell phone but he’s been part of our sports culture for the better part of two decades.
I won’t believe the streak is over until I see Tarvaris Jackson take the Vikings first snap. Forgive me for my doubts, as this wouldn’t be the first time that we counted Brett Favre out but then he proved us wrong.
In 1995, Favre suffered sprained ankle against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite media reports that his ankle swelled to six times its normal size, Favre took the field the next week, threw five touchdown passes and a legend was born.
Over the next 15 years, Favre has played through broken fingers, sprains to all parts of his body, ACL and MCL injuries, fractures and even prescription drug addiction without so much as a sick day.
Obviously not here because I love my job at CalvinAyre.com (Hi Calvin) but in the past a tough hangover or even a tough hangnail, would make me call in sick. Suffering a broken bone at work would have me filling out my resume.
Think about this, the last time Favre didn’t start for an NFL team, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was just 8 years old. Also, Bill Clinton was an Arkansas Governor and Presidential hopeful. Kurt Cobain was looking forward to a long successful marriage with Courtney Love and Billy Ray Cyrus was expecting the birth of his daughter.
Regardless of how you feel about Favre’s inability to retire, you have to respect his love for the game and his ability to go to work every day.
