On March 4th 2008, an NFL warrior called a press conference, and made his retirement known. QB Brett Favre spent 16 years with the Green Bay Packers winning 1 Super Bowl title, received 3 MVP Awards, was selected to the Pro-Bowl nine times, and has broken all types of NFL records during his long career, but to some this announcement of sudden retirement was a surprise to many from teammates, coaches and media. One reason why is because Brett had never mentioned he truly wanted to retire. In the past two years he always said he was on the fence, but he loved the game so much, and that was what always brought him back. This past season, just before the Seattle Seahawks playoff game the question was posed to Brett again, and the answer was directed more towards him returning, and that he had his daughters also wanting him to return next season. So why the change of heart? Why the sudden change of interest from a man some would say symbolizes the "Iron Man" of the NFL?
I'd like to answer that, without taking anything away from his past accomplishments, and say that this decision (along with certain others) to retire may have something to do with another aging player who remained in the game, and turned his later career into success, and that player would be Roger Clemens. Right now MLB pitcher Roger Clemens is fighting for his "life" against the Feds, and all that he's accomplished may be flushed down the toilet if he ends up going to jail for perjury in his scandal with the use of HGH and steroids. So how does Brett figure into this?
Brett is 38 years old, and last season he had one of his best, putting up better performances than some of his younger counterparts. Some would say it's due to his veteran status, but the fact of the matter is that Brett remained in the game as a QB well past the league's QB career expectancy, and was able to run with the young boys, and why? In my opinion I would have to say HGH.
So what is HGH, and why would guys like Brett Favre, or Rodney Harrison take something like this? HGH stands for Human Growth Hormone, and is used to help older players by boosting their immune systems (less likely to get sick), strengthens bones with calcium retention (lessens the a chance to have a bone broken & quickens bone healing), and increases muscle mass. One of the things it has been known to help older players cope with is dealing with the rigors of the season. In any sport, the body goes through a gauntlet of wear and tear, and for the older guys it's harder for them to get back on track after game day, and HGH helped some of these guys through this.
At this time the NFL tests for steroids (since 1995), but they don't have a test for HGH, but after the February meetings this off-season NFLPA's Union Head Gene Upshaw announced that HGH testing was coming in the form of a urine test, and it wasn't known if it was going to be implemented by next season. Regardless of the fact when; the buzz was created, and older players who were using or tried even once are probably looking in the mirror, and this is where I think Brett may have made his decision, because it's a smart move on his part, and I'm sure he's a business minded person watching what Roger Clemens is going through. At this time Roger Clemens' career is tainted, his Hall of Fame chances are at risk, he could be headed to jail, and he's losing millions of dollars in possible ad/endorsement money. Brett is involved in a lot of charity/social projects, a shoe-in for the NFL Hall of Fame, and as a retired player he is due to land tons of endorsements, and advertising money; something that would be of risk if he continued to stay in the game, and take his chances with HGH testing on the horizon.
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wow...bold accusations....seems like HGH is turning into a witchhunt
The True Moderator
Total Comments (5589)
"HGH testing was coming in the form of a urine test, and it wasn't known if it was going to be implemented by next season."
--do you have a source for this? i want to check it out because i thought there was no urine test for HGH yet
The True Moderator
Total Comments (5589)
Wow....painkiller addiction yes, but HGH or other PED's....who really knows...never thought of Favre and HGH at the same time.
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47232)
There's not an approved urine test for HGH. There is one but it has not been accepted as being 100% accurate as far as I know.
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47232)
There's not an approved urine test for HGH. There is one but it has not been accepted as being 100% accurate as far as I know.
rstowe *BS/CB | 03/10/08, 10:31 AM
if its not 100% accurate...it will never be allowed into use
The True Moderator
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I guess you took my advice after all. This is the way, Sinista...
redskinmaniacST is…
Richmond, VA
Total Comments (6654)
Interesting accusations but thats all they really are and saying that these baseball players dynasties will be flushed down the toilet seems extreme as well. Maybe the records of players on steroids will be held to a lower standard but they will always be there. I think the only way to stop athletes from using steroids or HGH or whatever they use for an advantage is to stop it in High school and get better testing methods. This steroids stuff is a sticky situation that makes me happy I am not a pro athlete.
heelyeah
Total Comments (132)
Wow are you kidding me. How stupid are you? Farve played through all of his injuries and as far as playing better as he got older, could it be that maybe the younger QBs in the league are not very talented. sure there are good young QBs but not great. Vetrens play better then the younger guys thats obvious. So if Peyton Manning or Tom Brady play till their late 30's are you gonna say that they took HGH to stay in the game longer, not to mention that Brady had a sholuder injury the entire season and stilll played. Did you forget about that? This isn't a bold statement it's a statement that is based on pure disrespect. That record of 253 straight starts was Favre's desire to play the game and his toughness. That record won't be broken. Rodger Clemens did take HGH, you could tell by his responses at the hearing. I agree with you on that. But did you even bother to factor in that Favre is 38 and he'll be 39 by football season. His youngest daughter is getting older and he's already missed a lot of time with Britney, his oldest daughter, because of football. Did you ever think that maybe he wants to spend some time with them before it's too late? Why don't you think aboout that before you go put stuff like this out.
LambeauLegend#4
Kenosha , WI
Total Comments (15)
Are you kidding? First off, FAVRE is spelled FAVRE not Farve! Second, what has happened to the NFL and its commentators and the pure enjoyment of watching an incredible player do what he is supposed to do and play football and play it well? The drug addiction, the problems with alcohol were acknowledged with Favre, and only proved to the nation that he is HUMAN. HGH? Are you looking for reasons to cut someone down because you can't come to terms with the fact that FAVRE is just that good? His determination to play the game and be responsible for the outcome because his team is depending on him has allowed him to start 275 (including playoffs) games consecutively, and make some of the greatest plays in the history of the NFL. A career "expectancy" is just that: it is what most expect out of someone, but there will always be those who defy the odds. If you only lead your life by doing what people expect of you, your life would be pretty boring. Go above and beyond! Simply because he was one of the oldest QBs last seasons, and didn't try to prove something he didn't have in him, like some (Vinnie Tesdeverde), does not give anyone the permission to turn around and make claims that he is taking HGH. I have watched Favre AT Lambeau with season Packer tickets since I was 8 years old, and I can tell you there is consistency, determination, and love for the game that has made Favre who he was, is and will be in the future, football QB or not. Did you ever think that the reason he is retiring is because he has given perhaps the most fulfilling and exciting 17 years to the NFL that it has ever seen? Let his decision rest. He has retired. Not because of HGH, but because he has given us (football fans) the best 17 years anyone could ask for, and now he should enjoy himself.
StefFAVRE4
Eau Claire , WI
Total Comments (1)
To StefFavre4...
1) The spelling error in the title was a typo... Or don't you think I would have spelled it wrong during my whole column? Thanks for the heads up though.
2) In no way did I down Brett even if he did take HGH, I'm 40 yrs old, and I understand how hard it is to compete in the NFL.
3) The same stats and fact that you are bringing to the table, are the same that raises the eyebrows of those who may think he have been taking HGH to help him through this season or whenever.
4) How can ANYONE say the KNOW he didn't take HGH without knowing Brett on a personal level.
My comments were not a statment hence the reason for the "?" and not a "." at the end of the title. It's a question to ponder, and debate at the bar room, gym or water cooler.
To LambeauLegend#4...
1) I'm entitled to my OPINION to think that Brett may have aken HGH to get him through this season or any other. I would be wrong if I delivered that as a statement. So I'm not stupid
2) You mention his daughters and him not being able to spend time with them. Did you not watch the playoff game where they interviewed him, and he mentioned he would be back because his daughters wanted to see him play another year?
Sinista1
Brockton , MA
Total Comments (49)
It's good to see responsible journalism alive and well in today's media. I'm sure that someday your libelous tendencies of writing wild, unsourced speculation will land you a spot among the big boys like CBS!
From your bio:
"...and some great games in Foxboro, where he has been a season ticket holder since 1990."
Well, that explains quite a bit...
alexdroog
Madisonville , LA
Total Comments (2)
Get a life "sinista", you want a be "gangsta".
Ronin_RT
Total Comments (3)
Oh, and one more thing... You respond to LambeauLegend by stating that you are entitled to your OPINION that Brett took HGH. That would be fair if there were any speculation or accusations other than your yellow journalism. Unless Aaron Rodgers turns into Andy Pettite, all you have is some fantasy you dreamed up and a stupid, uninformed opinion.
alexdroog
Madisonville , LA
Total Comments (2)
Exactly. The fact that Brett had an addiction to pain killers shows that he is human. Brett has been consistent over the past 17 seasons. StefFavre4 made a great point, are you just trying to cut Brett down because you can't realize that he WAS good towards the end of his career and he WAS consistent throughout his entire Career. He's said in the past that if his family didn't want him to play it would make him rethink coming back. The Favre family hasn't recently said that they DID infact want Brett to come back. It's been 3 months since the playoffs. Don't you think Deanna or his two daughters could have said to him we don't want you to play another season? Why don't you take Ronin_RT's advice and get a life, i'm sure you can find better things to do then bash Brett. How about the cheating that your Pats have been doing?
LambeauLegend#4
Kenosha , WI
Total Comments (15)
There is absolutely no indication that Brett Favre took any performance enhancing drugs. He had a better season during the 2007 - possibly because he had the best receiving corp he's every had and a dominant running game in the second half of the season? And a coach that stopped letting him be so reckless as well as a defense that made it so he didn't need to put up 30 points a game.There is also the additional question of why he would only take it now. He's had two incredibly crappy years in 2005 and 2006, so why is there no indication he took it then? This just seems like venemous slander (or rather libel since it is in print) from someone who clearly doesn't know what they are talking about. If one good season is enough to label someone as being on HGH then Tom Brady should be looked at. After all, he had never even thrown 30 TD passes in a season and now he's throwing 50. Seems suspicious. So give me a break and get a life.
Jcavhs
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (13)
This is a horrible article and is based on noting but per speculation. It is just a sad attempt to tarnish an amazing career. This article should be removed I am surprised it would even be allowed to be published.
trckwi
Stevens Point , WI
Total Comments (1)
You Jerk! You have absolutley nothing to back up your allegation. That is what is wrong with the media. All of the accomplishments that one of, if not the greatest QB in history, will now be questioned from all of the other writers trying to get posted. I have lost some of the respect for SI that makes me log in every morning and search for up to date transactions and happenings. How easy is it to simply put a statement out there with out backing it up? With the stature of SI some will give credence to your claims. I am severly dissapointed in the simple fact that this was even posted.
Deeeeetroit…
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