Harry Colon's Sportscity Blog

Former New England Patriot, Detroit Lion and Jacksonville Jaguar Corner Back, Harry Colon, has joined the Sportscity.com team. Each week, Colon will bring his own perspective on all things NFL, from current games and news, to past NFL experiences.

Let’s Wait Before We Name A Building after Brett Favre

Written by Harry Colon on March, 15th 2008

A short time ago Brett Favre retired from the game of football and left an impressive list of records for future stars to strive to attain. He has become the example for which NFL players should model themselves; a talented, fierce competitor whose durability lead him and the Green Bay Packers to the top of the game. Some of his records include: Most TD passes, 442, most passing yards, 61,655 and most wins by a starting quarterback, 166. Although these statistics are impressive and unprecedented, I have to view them with skepticism.

I’m not trying to diminish Favre’s records, (I don’t think the Favre faithful will allow that anyway), but I have always viewed records of longevity with less enthusiasm. While I value consistency, commitment and perseverance it is stability that plays a larger role. A team must display the willingness to remain loyal during the tough times. How many “superstars” have you heard of that were traded after a sub par season? With the team citing they want to “go in a different direction.” What about when that “superstar” is injured, decided to play through the pain, for the team knowing that their stats would take a hit consequently resulting in a trade or release? Again the team states a bogus reason for their decision, “we can’t afford the hit on the salary cap!” For Favre, the Packer Organization and the city provided that needed stability.

The implication is not to invalidate the substance of Favre’s records because they are truly phenomenal, but the point is that many of the records at the quarterback position are a direct result of stability with the same team. Look again at the Hall of Fame Quarterbacks who follow him in the record books. The very names of the teams are synonymous with the last names of the player himself - John Elway…, Dan Marino…., see the trend? Those athletes fortunate enough to break records of longevity enjoy stability with one team. Their respective teams invested in their talents, weathered the good and the bad…through the storms. That same stability is not afforded to all quarterbacks (just ask Jeff Garcia).

Favre’s accomplishment of having one losing season while leading the Green Bay Packers to 12 consecutive winning seasons is most impressive. However, watch out for another quarterback who is currently enjoying the same type of stability….Peyton Manning. By the way, what team does he play for………?

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