I, like millions of sports fans and fans of Brett Favre, watched his emotional news conference today. I was touched by his genuine comments. Before the news conference I wasn't convinced that the sure first ballot hall of famer was actually serious about retirement. Everyone in the world of sports talk and sports writing acted as if there was some type of conspiracy. Did the Packers not do everything in their power to convince their star to comeback for at least one more season? Did Favre's long time agent hint that was the case? The 17 year NFL veteran answered all of those questions and then some at his farewell news conference. He was adamant that his decision was his after spending the last two months weighing his options. He asked the media to not read into anything other than he was mentally tired and not committed to putting in the enormous amount of time it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback. When a man says he can still play but his heart isn't in it, you have to take him at his word.

Retirement is inevitable for all of us. For an athlete, getting 17 amazing years out of a sport as physically and mentally demanding as pro football is incredible. Brett Favre, as recently as this past season, broke my heart when he beat my beloved Denver Broncos in overtime on national television. I'm not sure it's possible but I HATED and LOVED what I had just seen on his game winning bomb. I will always respect the way he played the game. At age 38, he still showed signs of a much younger man playing a kids game. It was refreshing and I'll miss that, much like I felt when John Elway called it quits. Like Favre, Elway still could play the game and retired on his terms. The Packers living legend has no problem ending his brilliant career with an interception in overtime against the Giants in the NFC championship game and he shouldn't.

My hope is he'll continue to stay involved in football in some way. While football fans everywhere wish him well, please don't make this a final BYE, BYE BRETT. gcruz@kpho.com

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor