What can we learn from Brett Favre’s career?
The consummate NFL great announced his retirement today (I’m still holding out hope that it’s another reporting mistake–can’t believe it).
What can we learn from a man who has overcome great personal and familial tragedies again and again to hold nearly every NFL record his position offers–including consecutive starts; career TD passes; career passing yards, attempts, completions, and interceptions; as well as the most MVP seasons?
You’re not a competitor if you don’t play to win every time you take the field.
Risking small failures positions you for big gains.
Showing up to play every single day gives you a natural edge in long-term competition.
Perfection doesn’t inspire nearly as much as overcoming faults.
Passion for what you do trumps old age, injury, and personal adversity.
Solid leadership can move even the most inexperienced group to do great things.
Sometimes, winning can be the best tribute to a loved one’s memory.
The win is never out of reach as long as you’ve got the ball, some time on the clock, and the will to keep moving forward.
In the end, YOU are the one who determines your fate. The will to show up or the will to call it quits is a function of your personal situation, and you shouldn’t let outside pressures determine what you do.
Some called for his retirement after the 4-12 season a few years back. He chose to stay and play the game he loves. Last season he led the youngest team in the NFL to a 13-3 season and fell just one game short of the Superbowl. He made the right choice back then, and we’ve all got to respect his decision this time around.
One thing is certain . . . his impacts both on and off the field won’t be soon forgotten.
Thank you, Brett!
March 4, 2008 at 10:23 am
Oh you cheese heads and your love for Brett Favre. I can’t take away from his talents and accomplishments because he beat the s**t out of my Bears so many times, but it wouldn’t take to much advice from a guy that was addicted to pain killers for years either.
March 4, 2008 at 10:41 am
Don’t you see? The addiction era was all part of what makes his story so compelling! He’s lived a far-from-perfect life, yet he’s turned his life and his career around from setback after setback.
Someone like, say, Tom Brady, for all of his skill, and accomplishments and Superbowl rings and supermodel girlfriends, will never foster the kind of attachment or loyalty that Favre has among real people who take the time to learn about him.
Brett Favre (the QB) is one of the best to have ever played the game. Few would realistically dispute that. But Brett Favre (the man) is a legend because his life, both public and private, transcended the sport.