What was speculation about Brett Favre’s continuing to play professional football has become a continuing drama. Brett Favre may return to professional football… perhaps not with the Green Bay Packers:

“Retired quarterback Brett Favre wants out of his contract with the Green Bay Packers so he can return to the NFL with another team, ESPN reported on Friday.”

link: Favre asks Packers to release him: report

At thirty eight years old, Brett Favre certainly does not need the financial returns of another year or two of professional football. With the request for a release from the Green Bay Packers, it does not seem that loyalty to his Wisconsin team - or its fans - is a factor either.

It must be so difficult to walk away from the game. These athletes have been feted since they were teenagers, when they showed some athletic promise. The sport defines them and is so much a part of their identity.

Professional sports have programs to introduce their first year players to the hazards of being in the major leagues. It seems that professional sports needs a similar type of program for the athletes during the sunset of their athletic careers. There are few jobs in broadcasting and sports related work. And, even with all the wealth from a professional sports career, it seems that so may athletes struggle with retirement and think that there is more time.

Catherine Forsythe