Favre can look at history to know it's time to fold 'em
By Clark Judge | CBSSports.com Senior Writer Follow ClarkNow that Brett Favre is mulling un-retirement, here's a suggestion: Call Steve Young.
Eight years ago the San Francisco 49ers granted the Hall of Fame quarterback permission to talk to Denver coach Mike Shanahan -- a not-so-subtle message that Young was finished in San Francisco. So he flew to Denver, considered an offer to join the Broncos and did what he thought was right.
He retired.
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| Favre's farewell press conference was an emotional affair. (US Presswire) |
OK, so maybe he passes on calling Young. Then get in touch with Troy Aikman. Please. He was supposed to be ticketed for San Diego in 2001 before he pulled a Steve Young and removed his name from consideration.
Then he retired.
Granted, there were considerations other than age with Aikman and Young -- like a string of concussions -- but the point is that each did what he knew he had to do. Young and Aikman wanted to prolong their careers, but they understood they had to change uniforms to do it.
So they weighed the risk-reward value and declined.
That was smart. It was also difficult, and if you don't believe it look what Johnny Unitas went through before sitting down. Unitas should've retired as a Baltimore Colt, just as Favre should retire as a Green Bay Packer.
I know Favre wants to keep playing, but how does he recreate his 2007 magic with another team? Favre was this close to reaching the Super Bowl, and that's a far better keepsake than, say, remembering Unitas or Joe Namath struggling to complete passes out West.
As the song says, you have to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em and know when to walk away. Unfortunately, too many pro athletes don't.
What follows are some of my favorite examples of why it's not always a good idea to continue a career that is at or near its end -- or, basically, why Brett Favre should work this thing out carefully:
