Brett Favre, the former Green Bay Packer QB, is a legend. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever put on a pair of cleats. He’s also a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer. Favre won a Super Bowl in Green Bay, which by itself, puts him in a separate category in NFL lore – Similar to the way winning a Stanley Cup in Detroit means a little something extra. The Super Bowl he did win for the Packers was the first since Vince Lombardi was stalking the Lambeau sidelines, and helped to resurrect Green Bay from the woeful doldrums of the 1970′s-80′s, back to prominence.

The paradoxical challenge of being a legend is that there is an inherent nature shared by all deserving of the moniker, to strive for the limelight. They become addicted to the roar of the crowd – they need to be needed. However as talents fade and beards gray, a legend begins to lose that magnetic pull they once held on the spotlight and are forced – almost involuntarily- to do and say things to remain relevant. Thus sullying their own legendary status.

Fans who saw Brett Favre in his prime will never forget his greatness. They will also never forget his unabashed buffoonery in some of the most inopportune moments. The polarity of Favre’s gunslinger style of play is one of the reasons his legend grew to folkloric stature. As fans, we loved to see Favre take four unnecessary sacks, throw two ill-advised interceptions, and then miraculously find a way to rise from the ashes and pull out a victory. For the better part of two decades Brett Favre was the John Wayne of the NFL. However, as any spaghetti western worth its bootstraps will tell you, there is a time when every gunslinger needs to hang up the steel, grab his lass, and ride off into the sunset. That time for Brett Favre has officially come… About 19 interceptions and one nefarious cell phone picture ago.

Some legends are indelible enough to hang around the periphery of their sport even after their time has come. The John Elway’s and the Wayne Gretzky’s of the world can try their hand at ownership or even coaching, because they will be forever revered by fans as “Good for the Game.” Favre conversely, is too polarizing of a player and a personality to have that luxury. He can do all the Wrangler ads, and Southern Miss games he wants, but for NFL fans, the immediate legacy Favre left behind is one of a guy who didn’t know when to say when. Shut up, Brett, for your own well being – for that legacy you worked so hard to create. Shut up and let your greatness speak for itself instead of working so hard to remind everyone how great you once were.

I understand that this may be an easier said than done scenario for Ole’ #4. It’s hard for every man to remember his not-so-distant prime without a little pride and self-promotion. But in the case of Favre, he has no need to refresh the memories of adoring fans who want nothing more, than for him to go away long enough to be able to remember him fondly.

Shut up, Brett. Don’t take an unnecessary jab at Aaron Rodgers for taking SO long (3 years) to eclipse your shadow. The guy is absolute nails! Rodgers is one of the NFL’s elite signal callers and has one more Super Bowl MVP trophy on his mantle than #4 ever will. Plus, ask guys like Cliff Stoudt, Brian Griese, and Quincy Carter what it’s like replacing a living legend. Though you may resent the kid for forcing the Packers to choose between his upside and your legacy Brett, your time is over and Aaron Rodgers time is now.

Todd Coshow is the Packers blogger for ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com. He can be reached via email at tcpackersblog@gmail.com and follow Todd on twitter @TC_Coshow