December 29, 2008

In the NFL, 40 is not the new 30

Posted: 08:35 AM ET

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

I turned 39 this year. Here’s what happens when you turn 39. Your body and mind start going in two different directions.

Favre, like the rest of us, wonders what happened to youth's good graces.

I like to exercise. Actually I hate it, but it’s expected of me since I’m on TV.

Jogging is something I’ve always done. It’s cheap and doesn’t require a gym membership. But recently my body has started giving out on me in the middle of my routine.

Understand, I’ve been doing this jogging thing for about 20 years. But now, about halfway in, my knees and back are checking out. While my heart is still saying “come on guys! let's go!”... my joints are saying “not gonna do it."

That is what happened to Brett Favre this year.

The 39-year-old started the New York Jets off to an impressive 8-3 start with quality road wins over New England and Tennessee. And then, Brett’s body started giving out.

The "Brett’s" lost four of their last five games including their season finale against Miami, which ended the Jets' playoff hopes in a New York minute.

The question is, with the Jets' season over, will Brett call it a career this time? So far, he’s not saying, but the following statistic should give him a clue.

Brett Favre started his 269th consecutive regular-season game on Sunday. He’s been actively playing since 1992. According to Fox Sports, Favre has only thrown more than one interception in seven games in his entire career. Three of those seven were his last three games.

Apparently, 40 is NOT the new 30 in the NFL.

This was the kind of thing I was worried would happen to Favre when he said he was coming back—that he’d have the same fall-from-grace as Michael Jordan, whose career could have ended on a perfect Kodak Moment holding that pose after his game-winning shot over Utah in the 1998 finals.

But then Favre started winning. And suddenly, like half of the New York City fanbase, I bought into it.

With the Jets’ $140 million overhaul and a Hall–of-Famer behind center, it looked like it could happen. And, as much as I grew up hating the Packers, I wanted it to happen. It was just too good a story! Brett the Jet in the Superbowl! Broadway Brett leading the 4-12 Jets to a magnanimous turnaround! Like Roy Hobbs in “The Natural” or that Disney movie with Dennis Quaid as an aging pitcher.

But then the reality of being 39 set in.

The snapshot moment that ended Brett’s career? An illegal forward pass.

In the closing seconds of the Jets' loss to Miami, there was Favre, flat on his back, knocked down by Miami safety Yeremiah Bell after he dumped a pass to Leon Washington, took a lateral, and tried to shuffle the ball ahead to Jerricho Cotchery.

Somebody should have yelled “cut!”

Hopefully Brett’s body has given him the message that so many of us tried to convey: It’s time to hang it up.

I just popped an Advil for a pain in my neck from sleeping wrong. Yes, in your late 30’s, suddenly there’s a right way and a wrong way to sleep.

And there’s also a wrong way to end one’s career.

Here’s hoping Favre finally puts his career to rest.

And maybe takes up jogging.

Posted by: Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel
Filed under: Sports

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Stephen Coney

December 29th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Can we get BIG amen here brothers and sisters!!!!!!!!!!

Larry Robles

January 4th, 2009 1:49 am ET

Brett Favre, you are a legend. You have to do what is best for you and go with your instincts. I happen to be 39 as well. I happen to enjoy marathin running, however after 10 marathons, my body has felt the effects of the stress on my joints from running. So, I have made the transition to do triathlons which is less running (I am doing sprint/olympic distances which is only a 5k or 10K run.

If, you need to take a break from football to preserve your joints and body, I recommend you do so. You may regret it when you get older. You have already proved to the world that you are one of the great football legends! You have to consider yourself and your family. Injuries may remain in the future. I know mine will, they may be minor but they are there. Again, if you want to continue playing and/or you are bound to your contract, you be the best judge of things. Listen and follow what is best for you health. You are the best in my book!

You fan,

Larry

Bob

January 6th, 2009 8:35 am ET

Hey Rafer, you should try multi-sport – like triathlons. They say that cross training in other disiplines will help strenghen your core muscles and you'll fell lots better! Thanks!

January 9th, 2009 7:58 am ET

I LOVE BRET FARVE – when he does retire he will be missed immensely by his fans! We were Packer fans because of Bret. When he moved to the Jets – we followed (although we were already watching that team because of #83 Chansi Stuckey – hometown High School player). God Bless Bret in his future endeavors!

Lisa

January 9th, 2009 9:08 am ET

Dear Rafer,

I am certain that 99 % of you sports journalist are getting soooo tired of the Brett soap opera. This past year asside, all of drama was created by your elite group. Favre was constantly hounded and pressured to make "the decision" practicly before the last game of the NFL season was over!
In my humble opinion, and being born and raised in the great Cheesehead state of Wisconsin, I among thousands of other Packer/Favre die hard fans adored, respected, and appreciated Favre as one of the all time greatest QB of all time.
Yes he is guilty of making a decision under pressure and being a man led by his heart and for his enormous love of the game. WHY SHOUDN'T HE HAVE HAD THE OPTION OF HAVING A CHANGE OF HEART?!
Please don't even get me started about the way the Packers management treated their hero this past summer. The embarrassment of this drama is way off f the charts..not unlike a bad dream you won't wake up from all season long.

Yes the past 5 Jets games were a disapointment. Brett obviously wasn't playing his level best. Yes, he should ponder a permant retirement at his own pace.

In the end why don't you guys show him some of the respect that this Legend has earned and has time and time again honestly work hard
to build.

Favre and Pack fan for life!

Lisa

John Stirling

January 17th, 2009 8:19 pm ET

39 years old and your mind and body start going in two different directions? I am only one in thousands of runners over 60 who still exercise with a passion – sure we are getting slower and, but at 39 you really should not be slowing down that much – I am looking forward to four marathons this year. John Stirling

vicki-Columbia, MO-aka.gemin260

March 5th, 2009 1:04 am ET

I just bought a bunch of 2007 football trading cards for my daughter. (Yes, she's only into trading cards.) And there was a rookie card of Brett, so she thinks she got a good card. Is that true anymore?

Plus, I express my deepest sympathies to the families that lost loved one on that fishing trip over this last weekend. aka 2/28/09.

Andres Montejo

May 20th, 2009 2:08 pm ET

This is exactly how I feel, you took the words right out of my mouth!

Andres Montejo Law

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