Thoughts on Brett Favre's retirement

I come from southeastern Wisconsin. We're big on lots of things--cheese, Brewers baseball, brats--all the stereotypes about us (for the most part) are accurate. There is no bigger ticket in town than the Green Bay Packers. From the storied past that includes legends like Lambeau, Lombardi, Starr and Hornung, to the recent past of greats including James Lofton, Reggie White and Coach Mike Holmgren, the Packers have had their share of incredible players and personalities. None has been greater than Brett Favre.

My purpose here is not to rehearse the career accomplishments of Favre--a million other websites will help you with that. My purpose is to help dads and sons to process this news: Brett Favre has retired. The 275 consecutive start streak that spanned 17 years is over. The only quarterback to start a game for the Packers in the memory of anyone under the age of 21 or 22 will never start again. What are we to make of this? Is there a spiritual lesson to be learned here? I believe there is.

Any opportunity that gives dads a chance to share their memories and heart with their sons is an opportunity to seize. Get a pizza and talk over your favorite memories. Watch the highlight shows. (Moms reading this, please stop snickering. I know you are. This is seriously hard.)

Life is about change. I'm learning that you can either embrace change, or embrace becoming irrelevant. You have a choice. Eventually the Packers and Brett Favre have to move on. Now is the time. Teach your sons about making decisions for positive change. Teach your sons about enjoying the comfort of the moment while holding their futures with open hands. Teach them that while sport is a snapshot of life, the real substance of life has to do with holiness and pursuing God and family and promises kept.

So, believe it or not, this day is a hard one for sports fans everywhere. Utilize this opportunity to share your heart and win your son's heart.

All of Favre's money and fame has created a profound hurdle for him in the long run. God doesn't really care much about touchdowns. For all of his personal successes, Favre’s great need is to be found in Jesus Christ. What will it profit you to gain the whole world, but forfeit your soul?

We thank-you Brett for unpredictability and unbelievable joy. We thank-you for your preparedness and tenacity. We thank-you for the way you lived your whole life right in front of our very eyes—warts and all. We thank-you for having a great relationship with your own dad. We thank-you for all you have been to the sport of life.

After you and your son sit in silence and all the words are spoken, slap him in the arm and buy him a Coke. Get over it. We will always cherish the memories. Aaron Rodgers can play, and the Packers may be better (especially in cold games). Out with the old and in with the new. Go Pack!