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Happier Than Brett
I'm having a happier retirement than Brett Favre. I can certainly understand a guy or girl retiring and then having second thoughts about it. I was lucky. I didn't have any second thoughts about retiring after 35 years of teaching.
I had a great time on my last day of teaching and was given a great send-off by my colleagues at Stafford Middle School. I went on to enjoy the summer of '05, and I didn't get the itch-twitchy feeling when September school days rolled around.
I guess Brett Favre is different. But what if I had decided to un-retire in September of 2005? What if I had gone to Principal Patty Amo and said, "I'm coming back!"?
I had already announced my retirement to my employers months before, just like Brett. By the time the new school year rolled around, the head-honchos at Stafford Middle School had made other plans, just like the Green Bay Packers. My replacement, and a good one at that, had already bought new shoes, sharpened pencils and created a classroom bulletin board.
Even if a bunch of Stafford students, who loved me, had signed petitions calling for the reinstatement of Foxy, I would have been locked out. That darn new security system at Stafford would limit me to peeking through the front window.
And, guess what! Somehow the 2005-2006 school year went by in the city of Plattsburgh without Foxy Gagnon. The job still got done. Just like the Packers will get along without Brett Favre.
Brett Favre should be no different from you or me. So what if he makes more money and makes more headlines? He's just another family man with bills to pay and a job to do. And he retired. He wanted to move on to other things.
And so, with tears in everyone's eyes, the Packers and Brett moved on. But now he wants to stuff those goodbye words back in his mouth and reclaim his Packers' locker. Sorry! Some other guy is stuffing his sweaty underwear in that locker now.
Just as the Plattsburgh City School District offered me a job as a substitute, the same goes for Brett. The Packers will take him back, but as a sub. Maybe if somebody gets sick or hurt, he can get more work, but, for now, he'd have to be a sub.
I feel bad for Brett. He never really gave retirement a chance. He never really got away from the hustle and bustle of everyday work to enjoy what it's like for somebody else to punch in at work and you just sit home with your feet up, enjoying a bowl of popcorn.
Maybe Brett should move in with me a few weeks. I could show him a nice place in the afternoon to watch sports and enjoy beverages while chatting with some great retired guys. I could introduce him to a few nice friends who enjoy music and laughter and like to stay up late at night partying. Although I'd probably try to avoid introducing him to a certain someone.
Maybe Brett got tired of looking at a "To Do" list that his wife has had waiting for him all these years. There's no "To Do" list over at Foxy's, Brett. There are a lot of great things about retirement, Brett. In the summer, instead of working out and playing football, there are pig roasts, demolition derbies, music festivals and fishing derbies, and so much more!
You never really gave retirement a chance, Brett.
Comments
Retirement in any profession other than professional sports is normally mandated by years or service or a minimum age or some sort of numerical requirement. There is no such cut off in pro sports. Athletes are often the last to know that it is time to hang up the cleats/sneakers/spikes. Tiki and Barry left too early. Strahan stayed too long. Troy wanted to stay but concussions forced him out of the game. The list goes on and on but the point is in sports it is up to the athlete to decide when it is time to hang 'em up. I think Brett needs to hang 'em up for good. Why tarnish his reputation just for a few more years (Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith). Stay retired, spend the summer on Saratoga Court, lunch at Bobby's--sounds good to me.
BTW, this decision will be an easy one for me. 11 more years. That's it, then it's off to either North Carolina or Georgia or maybe someplace in between depending upon where the kids happen to be at that time. I am fairly certain Big Brown will survive without me.
(Foxy's note: I hope I'm still around when you retire, UPS Dave. You are one of their finest! Maybe we can make a "Fox on the Run" show on your last delivery. UPS guys and doctors never forget their last delivery.)
Posted by: UPS Dave | August 3, 2008 3:58 PM
Although you were/are a great teacher I don't remember naked women throwing themselves at you while paid millions for your work, and grown men treating you like a god on earth. Retiring is one thing becoming a mere mortal is another.
P.S.
I hope your Dodgers choke on Manny.
(Foxy's note: Oh, what cutting words from my friend LaPoint. You're right about the naked women part and millions part ... As for Manny ... he will love playing in LA and spend all his millions on naked women on Sunset Strip!)
Posted by: LaPoint | July 31, 2008 6:28 PM
Just heard the news, I was shocked to find out that your last principal , Mrs. Amo was previously an elementary principal in the Green Bay City Schools . As a result of her connections you have been traded straight up for Brett Favre. Hope you enjoy training camp. Oh yes, the deal hinges on you cutting the tail so that it fits beneath the helmet and doing a succesful Lambeau Leap into the stands. Packers wanted Bullet thrown into the deal to replace Boyd Dowler but the City School District balked. Seems Bullet and Mayor Donnie not be confused with Mayor Dannie are trying to figure out a way to get the goats to eat the grass at Penfield Park so that that they can save enough money to promote a game featuring Packers and Northstars .
Say hello to Bart for us, Starr not Simpson.
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from you, rubble! The ponytail stays! It's been my good luck charm lately!)
Posted by: rubble | July 30, 2008 3:22 PM
Fox Man! Great blog! Well said!
We can make a call and see if Brett wants to move with you for a couple of weeks.
You two could go to Bobby's lounge, then make a stop at the 4th Ward, then finish up at Mickey's! Brett would love it.
Call him!
Posted by: Bryan Benway | July 30, 2008 10:34 AM