To me, the most impressive of Brett Favre’s records and statistics is his consecutive starts. To play every game for nineteen years takes a lot of dedication, stamina and more than a little luck. I was excited about the likelihood that Favre would reach that magic round number 300 this year but, sadly, the streak has ended at 297.
While it makes me a little sad that it’s over, I also feel a sense of relaxing of tension. For the last couple of years it seems like there’s been a near weekly drama regarding the continuation of Favre’s starts. Every time he has gotten bruised or shaken up there has been, understandably, a great deal of hand-wringing – “Oh no! Is the streak finally over? Will he play next week?” Well, now we know the final number – 297.
It’s been a great run, Brett. We love you; we’ll miss you, but please, when this season’s over, go home and play with your grandchildren.
December 15th, 2010 - 7:43 pm
I hate these kinds of streaks. They’re the worst records, the way they overtake everything. There were times, during Cal Ripken’s streak, when it was glaringly obvious to everyone watching that he just wasn’t right and that if he were any other player he’d be on the Disabled List, but no — everybody was a slave to The Streak. Yeah, Favre’s streak is amazing and all — but I have to wonder, just as I did with Ripken, did fealty to the streak suppress his play at times? Given how up-and-down Favre has been, statistically, all through his career — 25 TDs one year, 25 INTs the next — I can’t help but think he might have been better served by missing a start here or there.
December 16th, 2010 - 7:43 am
That’s a good point but I can’t help it; I like the streak.
December 19th, 2010 - 12:00 am
To Jaquandor’s point, I’ve seen pretty much every game Favre started since about 1996, and I don’t specifically recall any where I thought, “this guy’s injured and he’s playing lousy.”
Granted, I’ve often had those two thoughts separately, but never together.