A warrior is hanging it up.  Like many Packer fans, I was shocked and saddened  when my morning commute was interrupted by Charlie Sykes telling me that Brett Favre was retiring.  I couldn't believe it.  I, like many people, thought that with the Packers recent success and the promise of better futures that #4 would be back.

   I want to share a couple of Brett Favre stories with you.

  The first was the December 1994 playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons in the last ever game at County Stadium.  Packers are down with time running out.  The ball is at the nine yard line. There's time for one more play and Favre scrambles, dives in the end zone and the Packers win.  My grandparents have Milwaukee season tickets.  I was at that game with my grandpa.  It's a memory I will always have; a memory for a grandpa and his young grandson...made possible by the magic of Brett Favre.

   The second poignant memory is Brett Favre at the other end of the spectrum.  It was May 1996.  I was working as an anchorman in Green Bay.  A short press release from the Packers came into our newsroom stating that Mike Holmgren and MVP Brett Favre were holding an impromptu press conference in 30 minutes.  I headed to the stadium with a photographer and several other crews.  Brett Favre flanked by his wife Deanna and coach Holmgren stepped to the podium at Lambeau and Favre told the world that he was addicted to Vicodin and was heading in for treatment.  It was devastating to all of us.  The Pack was on the up tick and Favre was our leader.  It was sad, embarrassing, confusing.  There were tears and the media auditorium was very quiet.  A short time later Favre dared the world, "Just bet against me."  The rest is history as Favre went on to two more MVPs and two super bowls.

   Today is sad.  I feel fortunate that I got to see him play.  I'm glad that my daughters got to see him play.  It's been magical.  It will never be the same again.  But that's ok.  In places like Cleveland, and San Diego and Detroit they have never even had the one chance that we had.  It's tough today.  Hopefully time will help.

   Your thoughts?  jmercure@todaystmj4.com