Whew!! Finally!! Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre was listed as inactive for tonight's matchup against the New York Giants which effectively ends his streak of starting 297 consecutive games. This streak was an amazing feat. Any football player that starts that many games in row has to be TOUGH. We all know that football can be a violent game. As we have witnessed this season, the hits can be bone chilling as well as bone breaking. But football can be an unlucky game (getting injured) as well. Sometimes guys don't get injured on contact directly from tackles and blocks. Sometimes they hit the ground wrong or someone falls on them awkwardly. I'm always amazed that football players are not injured more. Quarterbacks are afforded a lot more protection on the field than other players. To the disgust of many defensive players, the NFL has designed different rules in order to help protect the star position on the field. But even with Favre having the benefit of these protections, it is still unbelievable that he was able to avoid serious injuries and start so many games in a row. To think that he has started every single game he has played in since 1992 is really unreal. Like the Cal Ripken streak in MLB, I'm sure there was pressure to keep starting him even though it may not have been the smartest thing to do. Who would want to be known as the head coach to end that streak? I'm sure Favre put pressure on himself as well - there were probably times he would have sat if the streak was not ongoing but mustered up enough strength to get through his aches and pains. But tonight was a different night. His shoulder injury (which occurred last week) was too severe to overcome. He barely practiced all week. On Friday he was only able to throw light tosses. Then early Sunday morning Favre caught somewhat of a break. A winter storm that dumped a tremendous amount of snow in Minneapolis caused damage to the roof of the "Metrodome" (Mall of America Field). The Sunday game would be postponed until Monday night, giving Favre just a little more time to heal. But it wasn't meant to be. His shoulder was not healthy enough for him to play.
It will be very interesting to see what transpires with Favre after tonight. The Vikings have only three games after tonight this season (barring a miracle and they slip into the playoffs). Have we seen the last of Favre? Maybe his injury is severe enough for him not to play in the next three weeks. Now that the streak is over, will the Vikings keep Favre on the sidelines, even if he's healthy, so they can get a solid look at backup QB Tarvaris Jackson? What about the sexting situation with Jenn Sterger? The NFL is still investigating, could they find Favre of wrongdoing and possibly suspend him for part or all the final games? Whatever happens I'm pretty sure of one thing, Favre will not return next season. I do believe this is truly it for him. No doubt he is a future Hall of Famer but I really can't see any teams bending over backwards for him anymore. Plus he probably won't want to return anyway (he already said he does not want to come back but we ALL don't really believe him completely, do we?). If by chance we have seen the last of Favre on the field, his last pass was an interception. I hate to see a great player end his career that way (and injured on the play to add insult to...well.. injury). But I think most folks that will reflect on his career will remember this amazing streak more than anything else because it was symbolic of his toughness and his heart.
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