The Last Great Breed

Throughout my blog I have gone on to discuss the benefits of having an active lifestyle along with the extremities that come with playing a professional sport. Now focusing on a more positive note looking at two individuals who continue to grow older yet still can’t leave the game; Bret Favre and Kurt Warner ages 40 and 38 are the last dying breed of great quarterbacks still left in the NFL. Enjoy it while you can. We’re beginning to run extremely low on our supply of truly elite quarterbacks. Kurt Warner, who set to announce his future soon and Brett Favre supposedly set to do the same not long after, as fans we are on the verge of losing two of the greatest talents the game has ever seen at the quarterback position. Both are leaning toward retirement, and can you blame them?

Warner and Favre both withstood absolutely ridiculous beatings in their final games. Warner, who attempted to make a tackle after throwing an interception, was blindsided and nearly knocked out cold. Favre, known for his toughness and willingness to play despite any injury, put that sturdiness on full display as he absorbed hit after hit from a violent Saints defense, somehow getting up after each and playing the full 60 minutes. I think everyone knew the next morning for them was going to be miserable on their heads and bodies following those games.

Now, who can really blame these gladiators if they wanted to walk away. On one side tey have their minds demanding one more Super Bowl title while on the other hand their bodies telling them that there’s nothing left. When the body can no longer go on and is saying no, the answer better be no. After all is said and done, all you have left is your body and for these two quarterbacks who take hits by younger, heavier, stronger guys in the league it will catch up with them in their later years. As much as I hate to say it, I feel these guys need to retire because they will only suffer later down the road.