Angus Brayshaw: 'The absence of football has left a very deep void', Bronwnlow tribute to retiring players - 2024

23 September 2024, Crown Palladium, Melbourne, Australia

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Angus Brayshaw. I'm a retired AFL footballer and I'm here tonight on behalf of the retiring class of 2024. It's certainly not lost to me that I'm making a toast to a group to which I now belong which is a bit awkward but it is an honor to do so nonetheless.

It's been about eight months since I was medically retired and just over a year since I played my last game of AFL so I have a little bit of a head start on the rest of the retirees.

But I'm not going to lie, the absence of football has left a very deep void. Days that were planned to the minute and filled with purpose, need to be replaced. And in time they will be.

Football is all-consuming, no matter how long your career was, how successful it was or even how well you've prepared for the next stage the transition is difficult and there seems no easy way around it

Having said that, I think that it's really important on nights like this to reflect on what we have achieved as a group.

Whether you're Dustin Martin, who, I checked before I came up here, and he's still officially retired. He's won every single award that's available to win. or whether you're a kid like Aiden O'Driscoll (Western Bulldogs), who was a young man who had dreams of doing what Dusty did but unfortunately he was medically retired from concussion in his first preseason.

We the retiring class of 2024 should be incredibly proud. We all hope that we've brought pride and joy to our families, our friends, our loved ones, our teammates. our clubs and also to many fans. We all achieved our dreams to varying degrees, which is a privilege that we should never lose sight of. Equally as important is casting an eye to the future and the truth, surprisingly, is that there is a life after football, which is a relief.

Tom Hawkins played 359 games. He arrived as a kid and leaves the game with several of his own. And although his career may seem like a lifetime, he like the rest of us will soon find out that there is so much more to see and to do, baling hay and mustering cattle. Perhaps? He could be the next John Dutton, TV career after this all.

So yes our careers have ended and there are feelings of sadness, grief, uncertainty anger and anxiety no doubt. But as the planing door closes on us so many others stand ready for us as we transition from this rigid and structured existence into the great unknown.

I sincerely hope that everyone in the retiring class of 2024 finds something that provides them with the passion and the purpose that I derived from playing AFL. So while I'm out at a bit of free advice, it's been 32 weeks of my retirement and that makes me a veteran - so for those watching or here tonight who joined me in retirement I've got a few tips for you.

The first is to keep your friends and family close and be kind to yourself through the ups and downs. It's certainly not going to be easy all the time but the virtues that football has instilled in us will hold us in good stead for what's to come.

The retiring class of 2024 gave so much to the game and will be sorely missed, but the legacy that we have left won't soon be forgotten.

From club captains to premiership heroes, future Hall of Famers and players who gave us moments that we’ll look back on forever. On behalf of the group, I would also like to say a massive thank you to this great game and to all of those who work tirelessly, often without recognition to allow us to go out and do what we we've done.

And most of all a massive thank you to our families and to our loved ones who have sacrificed continuously to help us along our journey. It is my incredible privilege to count myself a member of this group and a true honor to represent and toast them tonight.

So I invite everyone to raise their glasses and join me in toasting the retiring class of 2024

Cheers

Marshawn Lynch: 'Take care of yo' chicken, take care of yo' mentals,' post game interview - 2020

13 January 2020, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA

It’s a vulnerable time for a lot of these young dudes, you feel me? They don’t be taking care of their chicken right, you feel me?. If they was me, or if I had the opportunity to let these young [guys] know something, I’d say take care of your money, African, because that shit don’t last forever. Now, I done been on the other side of retirement and it’s good when you can get over there and you can do what the fuck you want to. 

So, while y’all at it right now, take care y’all bodies, take care y’all chicken, ya feel me, take care y’all mentals, cuz little we ain’t lasting that long. So start taking care of y’all mentals, y’all bodies and y’all chicken. And when y’all ready to walk away, you walk away and be able to do what you want to do.

Tony Romo: 'I feel like we all have two battles going on', Press conference after injury - 2016

15 November 2015, Dallas, Texas, USA

To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement, getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you've ever had was a soul-crushing moment for me. Then, to learn that it wasn't three or four weeks, but 10, was another blow.

Through it all, you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having let your teammates, fans and organization down. After all, they're depending on you to bring them a championship. That's what quarterbacks are supposed to do. That's how we're judged. I loved that. I still do. But then here you are sidelined, without any real ability to help your teammates win on the field. That's when you're forced to come face to face with that's happening.

Seasons are fleeting, games become more precious, chances for success diminish. Your potential successor has arrived. Your potential successor has arrived.

Injured two years in a row, now in your mid-30s. The press is whispering, everyone has doubts, you spent your career working to get here. Now we have to start all over. You almost feel like an outsider. Coaches are sympathetic, but they still have to coach, and you're not there. It's a dark place, probably the darkest it's ever been. You're sad and down and out, and you ask yourself, 'Why did this have to happen?' It's in this moment that you find out who you really are and what you're really about. You see football is a meritocracy, you aren't handed anything.

You earn everything, every single day, over and over again. You have to prove it. That's the way the NFL, that's the way that football works. A great example of this is Dak Prescott and what he's done. He's earned the right to be our quarterback. As hard as that is for me to say, he's earned that right. He's guided the team to an 8-1 record and that's hard to do.

If you think for a second that I don't want to be out there, then you've probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasn't left me. In fact, it may burn more now than ever. It's not always easy to watch. I think anyone who's been in this position understands that. What is clear is that I was that kid once, stepping in, having to prove yourself. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. If I remember one thing from back then, it's the people who helped me along when I was young, and if I can be that to Dak, I've tried to be, and I will be going forward.

I think you all know that something magical is happening to our team. I'm not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by coming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back and I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, it's about the team, that's what we've preached our entire lives.

I remember when I was a kid just starting out wanting to be apart of something bigger than myself. For every high school kid out there and college player, there's greatness in being the kind of teammate who truly wants to be part of the team. Everyone wants to be the reason their winning or losing.

Every single one of us wants to be that person, but there are special moments that come from a shared commitment to play a role while doing it together. That's what you remember, not your stats or your prestige, but your relationships and achievement that you created through a group. It's hard to do, but there's great joy in that. All the while, your desire burns to be the best you've ever been. You can be both, I figure that out in this process. That's what separates sports from everything else. That's why we love it. That's why we trust it, that's why I still want to play and compete.

Lastly, I just want to leave you with something I've learned in this process as well. I feel like we have two battles or two enemies going on: One with the man across from you. The second with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you doesn't really matter. I think that's what we're all trying to do.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

Marion Jones: 'I want you to know that I have been dishonest', Apology for Steroid Use and Dioshonesty - 2007

10 October 2007, USA

Good afternoon everyone. I am Marion Jones-Thompson, and I am here today because I have something very important to tell you, my fans, my friends, and my family.

Over the many years of my life, as an athlete in the sport of track and field, you have been fiercely loyal and supportive towards me. Even more loyal and supportive than words can declare has been my family, and especially my dear mother, who stands by my side today.

And so it is with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust. I want all you to know that today I plead guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents.

Making these false statements to federal agents was an incredibly stupid thing for me to do, and I am responsible fully for my actions. I have no one to blame but myself for what I have done.

To you, my fans, including my young supporters, the United States Track and Field Association, my closest friends, my attorneys, and the most classy family a person could ever hope for -- namely my mother, my husband, my children, my brother and his family, my uncle, and the rest of my extended family: I want you to know that I have been dishonest. And you have the right to be angry with me.

I have let them down.

I have let my country down.

And I have let myself down.

I recognize that by saying that I'm deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and the hurt that I have caused you. Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

I have asked Almighty God for my forgiveness.

Having said this, and because of my actions, I am retiring from the sport of track and field, a sport which I deeply love.

I promise that these events will be used to make the lives of many people improve; that by making the wrong choices and bad decisions can be disastrous.

I want to thank you all for your time.

Sachin Tendulkar: '"Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing', farewell speech - 2013

16 November 2013, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India

All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional (crowd gets louder as he composes himself). My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It's getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.

The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don't give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.

My mother, I don't know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day's play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can't forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.

My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.

Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I'm not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.

Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn't agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that 'you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family'.

Without that, I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I've had in my life.

Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive [and] loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it's so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.

In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.

All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn't sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o'clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said 'well played' to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o'clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o'clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.

The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.

We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.

Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don't know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.

I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars with 'noooo'), but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.

I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially "Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye.

Peyton Manning: 'I’ve fought a good fight. I’ve finished my football race', retirement speech - 2016

7 March 2016, Denver, Colorado, USA

In my very first NFL game, I completed my first pass to Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk. I threw a touchdown in that same game to Marvin Harrison, who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame this August.

The quarterback for our opponent, the Miami Dolphins, was — after my dad, my favorite player — Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who on the first third down of the game completed a 25-yard skinny post. And it was the damndest throw I’d ever seen. Later, I completed a pass to tight end Marcus Pollard down the middle and somebody hit me really hard and after I got up, I told myself, ‘I know I can play in this league.’

Later in that struggling season, we played in and lost to Baltimore. It was the first time that the Colts had returned to Baltimore since they had moved back in 1984. We didn’t exactly get a warm reception that day. The fans were screaming at me and I kept thinking, ‘Hey, I was only 8 years old then, get off of my back.’ I had met him once before, but when the game was over I had the chance to shake Johnny Unitas’ hand. He told me, ‘Peyton, you stay at it. I’m pulling for you.’

Well, I have stayed at it. I’ve stayed at it for 18 years and I hope that old No. 19 is up there with his flat top and maybe his black high tops on and I hope he knows that I have stayed at it, and maybe he’s even a little proud of me.

There is just something about 18 years. Eighteen is a good number and today I retire from pro football.

I want to thank the people of New Orleans and south Louisiana. New Orleans is my hometown and of course they support their own team, the Saints, but they also support their own and that city and state have backed me from the start.

Almost 19 years ago to the day, I announced my decision to forgo the draft and stay at the University of Tennessee for my senior year. It was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made. I cherished my time in Knoxville, especially my senior year. And I want Vols fans everywhere to know the unique role that you’ve played in my life. Thank you to the Indianapolis Colts organization and all the fans across this country. You can’t fathom how much I enjoyed my 14 years there or the warmth that my family feels for you. I’d be wrong not to mention Jim Irsay, Bill Polian, some great coaches, support staff and a host of wonderful Colts teammates, many of whom will be lifelong friends.

When I was drafted by the Colts, Indianapolis was a basketball and a car racing town but it didn’t take long for the Colts to convert the city and state of Indiana into football evangelists. We ended my rookie season 3-13 and in the process I set the NFL rookie record for interceptions, a record that I still hold today. Every year I pull for a rookie quarterback to break that record. Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, Cam Newton. I still kid Eli that he would have broken it if he would have started all 16 games.

In the beginning of my time in Indy, the team’s struggles were agonizing. My grandfather would call me weekly to ask if his favorite announcers, John Madden and Pat Summerall, would be broadcasting our game. ‘Paw Paw,’ I’d say, ‘we’re only 2-8 right now. We’re playing the 3-7 Bengals. Madden and Summerall don’t broadcast those kinds of games.’

Fast-forward to my second year when we had gotten things going a little bit. We were playing the Dallas Cowboys and Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. I called Paw Paw: ‘Guess what, Madden and Summerall are broadcasting the game.” He said, ‘I can’t believe it.’

He was elated and he was very proud, and we beat the Cowboys that week and we let the world know that the Colts had arrived. Make no mistake about it, we were coming and we went on to do some phenomenal things like winning at least 12 games seven years in a row and of course winning Super Bowl XLI. And I was truly honored and proud to be a part of it.

There’s a saying that goes, ‘treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be and he will become what he should be.’

When I visited Denver four years ago, if John Elway had sat me down and said, ‘Peyton, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to win over 50 games, win four straight division championships, lose only three division games in four years and none will be on the road, we’ll beat the Patriots in two championship games and you’re going to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, another MVP, your offense will set single-season passing records, you’ll break a couple more all-time records, and we’ll go to a couple of Super Bowls.’ I think I would have taken that deal.

John, you did tell me that, didn’t you?

Grateful is the word that comes to my mind when thinking of the Denver Broncos. I want to thank Pat Bowlen and his family, Joe Ellis, John Elway, John Fox, Gary Kubiak and their staffs and all the support people in this great organization. To all of my Denver teammates, thank you for what you’ve done for this old quarterback. And of course my gratitude to the Broncos fans everywhere.

Over my NFL career, I’ve had five head coaches who have helped me become better at my craft and have helped me become a better human being: Jim Mora, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Gary Kubiak.

While I’ve obviously changed teams, I’ve had the same football representation for almost two decades. I owe Tom Condon many thanks. He has represented me with class at every juncture and he’ll always be a great friend. I want to thank a tremendous group of friends who have supported my football career and been at my side at games from high school to Tennessee, Indy and through that incredible Broncos Super Bowl win last month. You know who you are and what you mean to me.

There is no way to measure or properly express what a family like mine can mean. Mom, Dad, Cooper, Eli, extended family, you are the best. Ashley, your support is as potent a motivator as any man can have.

Ashley’s and my kids, Marshall and Mosley, have only been around for a couple of years but they have changed my life forever. A week before the Super Bowl our daughter Mosley asked me, ‘Daddy, is this the last game?’

‘Yes, Mosley, it’s the last game of the season.’

‘I sure do want you to win that trophy.’

‘I do, too, Mosley. And that’s what we’re going to try to do.’

Then she asked, ‘Daddy, is this the last game ever?’ And that’s just when I shook my head in amazement because I was thinking, ‘Mort and Adam Schefter had gotten to my 5-year-old daughter to cultivate a new source.’

When someone thoroughly exhausts an experience they can’t help but revere it. I revere football. I love the game. So you don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it. Absolutely. Absolutely I will. Our children are small now, but as they grow up, we’re going to teach them to enjoy the little things in life because one day they will look back and discover that those really were the big things. So here are the seemingly little things that when I look into my rearview mirror, have grown much bigger.

I’m going to miss a steak dinner at St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis after a win. My battles with players named Lynch, Lewis, Thomas, Bruschi, Fletcher, Dawkins, Seau, Urlacher, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodson and Reed. And with coaches like Fisher, Ryan, Belichick, Kiffin, Phillips, Rivera, LeBeau, Crennel, Capers, Lewis, the late Jim Johnson, and so many more. I always felt like I was playing against that middle linebacker or that safety or that defensive coach.

I’ll miss figuring out blitzes with Jeff Saturday. Reggie sitting on top of the bench next to me. Perfecting a fake handoff to Edgerrin James. I’ll miss Demaryius Thomas telling me that he loved me and thanking me for coming to Denver after every touchdown I threw to him.

I’ll miss putting in a play with Tom Moore and Adam Gase that ends in a touchdown on Sunday. On Fridays I’ll miss picking out the game balls with my equipment guys. Talking football with the broadcast crews and afterwards I’ll miss recapping the game with my dad. And checking to see if the Giants won and calling Eli as we’re both on our team buses.

I’ll miss that handshake with Tom Brady and I’ll miss the plane rides after a big win with 53 teammates standing in the aisles, laughing and celebrating during the whole flight. I’ll miss playing in front of so many great fans both at home and on the road. I’ll even miss the Patriots fans in Foxborough, and they should miss me because they sure did get a lot of wins off of me.

And this is important, football fans everywhere need to know how much they mean to me over the years. Fans, you’re at the core of what makes this game remarkable. I’ve received more letters from you than I can count. Fan letters that have touched me, made me think, laugh and moved me to act.

I’ve learned a lot through my mistakes, stumbles and losses in football. I’ve also learned this game is a mighty platform that has given me a voice that can echo well beyond the game. Football has taught me not to be led by obstructions and setbacks but instead to be led by dreams. Due to some good genes, I’m smart enough to know that those lessons can enrich who I am and where I go from here.

I’m totally convinced that the end of my football career is just the beginning of something I haven’t even discovered yet. Life is not shrinking for me, it’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities.

Pundits will speculate that my effort and drive over the past 18 years were about mastery and working to master every aspect of the NFL game. Well, don’t believe them. Because every moment, every drop of sweat, every bleary-eyed night of preparation, every note I took and every frame of film I watched was about one thing, reverence for this game.

When I look back on my NFL career, I’ll know without a doubt that I gave everything I had to help my teams walk away with a win. There were other players who were more talented but there was no one could out-prepare me and because of that I have no regrets.

There’s a scripture reading, 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

Well, I’ve fought a good fight. I’ve finished my football race and after 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you and God bless football.

John Kennedy: 'Hawthorn has done more for me, than I have ever been able to do for Hawthorn', Testimonial dinner - 1977

August 1977, Melbourne, Australia

Mr President Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very sensitive of the honour that the Hawthorn Football Club have done to me this evening, and I thank very sincerely the committee and all those who are associated with arranging it and I thank very sincerely all of you people who have come and have done me the honour of coming here.

David can string words together perhaps better than I can. He is pretty good at this, and it’s probably he had an in for being coach. But I’ve always said this and can repeat it without any false modesty – Hawthorn has done more for me, than I have ever been able to do for Hawthorn.

You personally, as people, who have played for the team and barracked for the team and have been associated with the club may not look at it that way, but we know ourselves best of all and I know how much in the first few years of playing football for Hawthorn, a League club, gave me some sort of confidence that I felt I lacked. I never quite overcame it, but Hawthorn gave me a great start in that respect.

Hawthorn, too, gave me the chance to play League football, to be part of football and football for me has always meant two things. It’s meant the opportunity to play the game and to be judged according to your performance an d nothing else. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, Protestant or Catholic. It doesn’t make any difference – you are judged by your performance and nothing else.

As I go on a little bit in life I wish it was the same everywhere else – I don’t know whether it is quite as straight as football. The score goes up on the board after every week and that’s the judgement that’s made. That is the way it is and I think that’s a great thing. It’s an attraction for me, it’s always attracted me to football and Hawthorn gave me the opportunity to be part of this.

But Hawthorn did more than that for me. Hawthorn gave me the chance to meet some wonderful people and over the years it’s been my privilege and pleasure to work with them. To meet the first president of our club, Dave Prentice, who has passed on since, to meet two people such as Dr Ferguson and Phil Ryan.

Sandy Ferguson was president of the club when I first came here. I think he was everything rolled into one then -- president, MO, and everything Dr – and he set a tone in the administration or the club. He set the goal before us players, and though we weren’t winning, the ideas were there, the dedication and selflessness was epitomised in the President who seemed to be there all the time, willing to give his time and energy and his medical acumen to the progress of the Hawthorn Football Club. And he still is this way. And Sandy has been associated with the club certainly for longer than I have, and I had the opportunity of meeting him, and becoming, I hope, his friend, certainly his friend, through playing for Hawthorn.

And Phil – who became president after Dr retired. Phil Ryan, I don’t know whether people really understand Phil. There has been a lot of talk about Kennedy and all of this but they say really that the best leaders in life are those fellows who, and those people, whether they are men or women, who are able to lead people in such a way that when the target is achieved, when the victory is won and the goals have been scored, the people will turn around and say, ‘Gee how did we do it”, and they look and say “yes, he was in charge”. They are not even conscious that they are being led in many way, and these are the best types of leaders and, in this way, I think Phil is outstanding – in this kind of way – as President of our club.

Phil heads a committee, a rugged lot of fellows. We have got all kinds of people on our committee. We’ve only got twelve now – we used to have twenty two and the meetings were quite electric when we had twenty two around the table. But Phil’s tolerance and broad acceptance of the part that everybody can play in the administration of the club just has to be seen to be believed, and so I believe that in Dr Ferguson and Phil Ryan, we’ve had the continuity of administration that has put us where we are today. And I don’t really want to individualise but I felt that I had to say that Hawthorn has given me the opportunity to meet these two men and to be influenced by them, and to copy, imitate – which is the sincerest form of flattery – some of their methods.

I am honoured to have here so many people this evening whom I know, and as always at hawthorn I always feel very remiss that there are so many people who I meet, and when I was coaching and when I was playing I scarcely had the time to say ‘gooday how are you’ or pass the time of day.

Always seem to be going somewhere, either coming from losing, or we won, or something like that, and you’re on your way, but to all of those people, I say, thank you very much. I said it at a previous occasion like this, and I won’t be Madam Melba I can assure you of that, but on a previous occasion like this, I said I would be happy to return and be assistant boot studder to Ted Laws, and Ted has been associated with the club for as long as I have, and once again it’s people like Ted Laws and Athol Taylor who was there for some time too. All of these people I’ve met and made friends with and I treasure the friendships I’ve made.

To hear Kevin (Curran), Graeme (Arthur) and Roy (Simmonds), people with whom I had the honour of playing, speak this evening has indeed also been an honour for me. ‘Dobbin’ we used to call him, he used to sing a song called ‘Jog Along Mr Dobbin’. I’ve always marvelled at people who could sing one note off key right through you know. You can imagine people who get out of tune, that’s understandable, but they are real geniuses that can drop a half key and go right through. – well Kevin could do that whether he was full or whether he was sober, he could still do that. You might think Kennedy trained hard, but nothing beside McCaskill. Kevin was associated the night when we ran round and round the ground. Bob, dear old Bob, he was a tremendous fellow but he had had a couple of whiskies this evening, and he was in good form and the rain was coming down, and the team was were going round and round the Hawthorn Ground until we almost got giddy. And it was punctuated by short sprints every now and then, and do a lap that way, and a little Fox Terrier joined in. It was Kevin that was with us that night, leading the bunch, and we ran round and round and the Foxie died – and there he was, lying on his back with his four legs poking up to the sky. Kevin said, ‘look the little dog’s dead’. McCaskill said, ‘get another dog – run on!’ Great feeling to play with him.

I have never forgotten the story that Graeme told me about Kevin. Greame played his first game for Sandhurst when he was about – well it started when he was sixteen, then he was fifteen, then fourteen, I think he must have been twelve when he played his first game for Sandhurst. He was only on the ground, Kevin had left Hawthorn by this stage and gone to captain and coach Sandhurst and when Mort (Graeme) came down to Hawthorn, he was talking about Curran, and said ‘when I played in thefirst game, I was knocked over in the first minute, someone whacked me behind the play, and down I went.’  He said, ‘I was looking around, I was a bit glassy eyed but then this big form came up and said, “don’t worry Mort. We’ll get that one back quick and lively”. And sure enough, about five minutes later, one of the opposition was getting carted off over the other side – Curran had ... great feeling to have a leader like that with you and not against you.

And I can remember at Footscray when Roy Simmonds and I were at the end of the cricket pitch, with Jack Collins in between us, and we were engaging in a bit of repartee. We were as long way behind in the game. There was a bit of mud slinging going on. Kevin got the ball at the other end of the pitch and took off. He was a fearsome sight when he was full steam ahead, and Jack looked up and he said to Simmo, ‘look out!’ He jumped one way, and Simmo went the other way,  because he was no respecter of guernseys, Kevin, when he was in full flight, didn’t matter whether you had his guernsey on or the other one, he’d take you just the same. But it was great to play with him, and great to have him on your side, and, as I say, to see him here tonight is a great honour for me.

And Jack Hale. I thank you Jack for coming here, and for your comments. My father used to go to football when I was so small I could hardly remember it you know. The only thing I could ever recall my father saying, he used to follow Essendon , he’d come home some times and there were two things he used to say. ‘You could kick me from here to Bourke Street if I ever go to another final” because they used to jostle him and so on, and another thing was he used to come home and say, ‘That Hale’s mad!’ – and little did I know, later on I was to meet that fellow Hale, and the description was an accurate one – but in the right way.

Jack had many – he won’t mind me saying it – he had many wonderful attributes as a coach, not the least of which was tremendous psychiatric ability.  Roy has referred to it, and I even thought after Jack left off sending players down there for psychiatric treatment, because if anybody had any problems injury-wise, Jack could guarantee to fix them. He had a way with him when it came to fixing injuries. David talks about single mindedness. Well Jack had single mindedness to the enth degree. There were no injuries for Jack, none, just none. Unless you had an obvious break, when the arm was broken you weren’t injured. And he’dalways point to his head and say, ‘it’s up there, it’s up there.’ And we had a memorable ten minutes before the game, these electric things were happening always, when Jack was coach. Mort (Graeme Arthur) had a bad shoulder and we were in the little room there before wetook the field against Fitzroy, and Mort said, ‘my shoulder’s pretty crook’. And I was brought in to act as an intermediary between Jack and Graeme.

Jack said, ‘Nothing wrong with your shoulder, nothing wrong with it, nothing wrong with it – it’s all up here’.

What are you talking about?’ said Mort. ‘My shoulder’s sore’

‘Nothing wrong with it, it’s all up here’ he said.

One thing led to another and things got pretty heated, but in all events,. Graeme went out and he played. He was best man on the ground.

‘There ‘are’  – said Hale ‘Nothing wrong with your shoulder’

And you see, after this comes over you for two or three years, it gets you in the finish, and there aren’t any such things as injuries.

The other aspect of Jack was the disappointed look on his face when he’d be talking to the team, and he’d see any player who had a bandage on him. These things used to worry Jack. I’ve seen him visible affected by a bandage. He’d be speaking to the players before the game and suddenly someone who had a piece of plaster on his leg, or a knee bandage, or even a slight bit of tape around his leg, and you’d see his eyes, they look at it, and you could see him distracted.  I’d say, ‘for god sake take the thing off and let him get on with what he’s saying’ because it really used to worry him. Nobody was allowed to wear bandages or anything like that. But it had its affect. It had its affect and it made all of us who played with Jack, and for Jack, and for Hawthorn, much better for having been with him.

Graeme – I’m very grateful for your being here, and I think it’s a great thing to have played football with you.  I suppose time goes on and the younger players now – Graeme Arthur is just a name. The newspaper coined a phrase when Graeme came down, or they used a word. The word was unobtrusive. Unobtrusive they said. We used to reckon he was so unobtrusive sometimes that you didn’t notice him at all, he just seemed to be not in the game at all. Some days he was more unobtrusive than others, but he was a great Hawthorn player, and it was great to have played with him, and to be privileged to coach the team when he was captain. And I don’t want to go through and enumerate people and start to single people out because I could do this for such a long time, but I say that I am very grateful also to see so many players with whom I was associated with in 1961 and 1976, and in between those years this evening. In a funny sort of way, I suppose I like to think that I’m friends with all the players.

Morton Brown is here, and I think if I can say I’m your friend Morton, I’m everybody’s friend.

In respect of that remark, I suppose of all players, between Morton and me there was an invisible le bond. I don’t know what it was made of -- if it was mutual distrust, or mutual antipathy. In all eventsI probably roasted Mortonmore than any player that I’ve ever known, and yet I can still see Morton Brown taking the mark that won us the [blank on page] ... a most gifted footballer.

I would say too, to the people ar4oudn the club, the administrators, Secretary Ivan. I think perhaps today’s Secretaries really don’t know how easy they have it. Sometimes they might think life’s hard, but in Hale’s day as coach at Hawthorn, you know anything could happen. This is a true story. I have vivid recollections of being in the Secretary’s office one night when he had to two young boys he was trying to sign up to play with the team. Our Secretary at the time was Bill Newton, a very fine chap – didn’t have much of a sense of humour, and you certainly needed a sense of humour, because he was talking to these two lads, and he had me there as Captain of the team, to sort of add the right wordsat the right time. And the Secretary’s office at that stage is where the two doors are where Jan is now, in between the two doors there. Standing there in the middle of signing up these players, the door burst open and O’Mahoney and Arthur came through one door, absolutely nothing on, straight out the other door, and flat out slammed the door behind them. Bill was absolutely flabbergasted. He said, ‘well what’s going on there?’ He got back on the trail, undaunted, , with the two recruits, and just sort of got the thing running again, when the door came open again and Simmo came through, dressed exactly the same, but carrying his sausage on a plate. Bill was still undaunted, though he was by this time getting disgusted, and I think it would strain anybody’s sense of humour, but he just moved into action again. Then, a third time the door opened and in came the coach, Jack Hale, absolutely starkers with a bucket full of water, running out the other door after them. He’s chasing them too –

Well at that time I sympathised with Bill. What can you expect when you have got the bloke in charge of them, and that’s what he’s doing?  So things have toned down a lot since then, and there’s less of that – more decorum, and a little more dignity associated with the place, but nevertheless they were happy days.

I thank to Lou (Richards) and Peter for their attendance here tonight, and what they have done, and their excellent comparing g of the show, and I should say perhaps – I can recall my fourth game of the year when we played Collingwood, and Lou was captain, and we were playing at Hawthorn, and we were getting beaten. It’s always impressed me, this. Lou mightn’t remember this, I don’t suppose he would, but he was captain. He was roving for the Collingwood side, and there’s as pretty big ruckman named Neville Waller. Lou and Neil Mann will remember him, and Neville must have got something wrong with him. He was down on the ground, lying there, and Lou ran up sand said, ‘get up!’ – so it’s not only Kennedy who says get up – Lou said, ‘get UP!’ And Neville went ‘oooooh’, he was winded I think,  and Lou said, I thought it was a bit tough, but Lou said, ‘well if you can’t’ get up, get off!’ and out they came the Collingwood trainers and took him off. And it struck me that Neville was such a big fellow, and Lou was rover, he was shorter. He was captain, and I thought it was an example of the tremendous control he had over them, and it impressed me, and I thought if ever we get knocked down, we’ll get up too. So all of you who have been blaming me for saying ‘get up!’, well blame Lou. He’s the one who started me on the bad road.

The present coach David Parkin, he obviously has a masochistic streak in him, because Dave had concussion eight times when he was playing. Anybody who’s silly enough to run into his opponent eight times and get concussion when he’s playing, well he’s got the first qualification for beinga coach.

And I saw the game this year against Footscray. At the bounce of the ball Scotty got one and was in agony. Scotty was doubled up in pain and down he went, rolling on the ground. A terrible act, and the umpire blew the whistle to give him a free kick, and Scotty, too bad he couldn’t take it, so he struggled manfully and got hold of the ball, and you know, in the best tradition, handpassed it to Rodney Eade, to get himself off the hook. And what did Eade do? I’m sure with Parkin’s instructions in mind, he kicked the ball straight back and hit Scotty in the head with it – deliberate.

Any coach who would instruct his players to that is absolutely heartless. But in all events, it had the right effect because Scotty forgot about his agony and he thought about his head,  and he sprang up and went back and kicked a goal, so there you are.

Alf (Brown), I must thank you for writing the very complimentary things you did.  I appreciate that because you usually say what you mean.  Those of you who know football probably don’t know Alf Brown so well, and a lot of people don’t like Alf’s criticism. I don’t mind Alf’s cricticism. I never have because he never jumped on the bandwagon blaming us because we didn’t play it according to the exact Marino rules you know. He has always been quite factual, but he also has his way of getting information, and I always recall when I was first made coach, he rang me and said, ‘if you can just help me with a little bit of knowledge about the team,  you know, who’s going to be where, it will help me write the article a bit,’ so we kept up this practice and I found out in the first week his technique was to choose any player, he’d say ‘Sted Hay’ for instance:

‘Sted’s no good is he?’

And straight away I’d jump in and say, ‘course he’s a good player, he can run and kick’ and he’d have the pencil out and he’d be writing all these things down, andI found that he’d do that. So I learned after that to shut up and say nothing when he said, ‘Ian Law wasn’t a good player’, ‘I’d say ‘No he’s out of form Alf, he’s not playing too well.’ So it doesn’t pay to come back. Never let them get you in. But I thank you Alf for your presence and for your good wishes and I do thank too the people who have come from opposing clubs here, because I suppose at Hawthorn we have tried to adopt the policy of not expecting any quarter, not asking any, and not giving any either, and we hope we have gained the respect of opponents.

Finally I’d like to not finish at all on a note of reminiscence but just to pause for a moment and think, ‘have I not said anything I should have said?’. Well if I have I can only just say again that my thanks go out to you all, and my sincere feeling is that Hawthorn has given me far more than I can ever give back to Hawthorn. Now I don’t want to finish on a note of reminiscence at all, though you might be tempted to do so when you see fellows like Kevin Heath here. Remember Heathy, that morning? Heathy and I used to run of a morning 5.30 AM outside Heath’s house. We went p4retty well until one morning I got there and I was whistling – I’ve always envied people who could whistle, S-S-S-T-T, like that. I was whistling in the dark, no sign of him, so eventually the door creaked open and the voice said, ‘is that you John?

I said, ‘yes,’

The voice replies, ‘It’s [Kevin’s father ] Joe here. I’ll get him out.’

So the door shut as I waited around for a while, but still not sign of him.

Ten minutes later, it’s still pitch dark but the cars are going past now, when the door opened again.

‘That you Kev?’ I said.

‘No Joe, John. He won’t be long.’

The door shut and again another ten minutes goes and finally the door opens and out he comes and he’s coughing and spluttering and we run up Bourke Road over Cotham Road and up to my place. But he had a bit of Johnny Peck in him – he always managed to put in a bit of a sprint at the end, and then he turned and back he used to go, and I’d trot off. But I hope you are still having that run, Kev. It makes a difference. It makes a difference.

Now one more before I finish. Thank you Noel for your good wishes. I can still see Noel McMahon in about 1952, it might have been the game Alan Nash mentioned, could scent victory you know, we didn’t win many in those days. We thought, here’s a chance to win the match. Jack McLeod had gone round the bend, as he usually did when he smelt victory – he was ready to knock anybody down who got in his way. The umpire was a bit panicky, and Denis Cordner and I had a bit of a practical difference of opinion at the previous knockout,  and Denis was just out of the action, and the ball was bounced up again and Noel was on the other side of the ring, and I can still see Noel wagging his finger, saying, ‘you’ll do me Kennedy’ and by this time I was round the bend too, and I was saying ‘right Noel, you’re good enough for me’. I don’t know how it came off. It was probably a pretty big collision, but I suppose neither of usis any the worse for it.

But what I want to say is that the best victories we’ve had at Hawthorn are the victories which we’ve had when we’ve had to come from behind. I don’t mean behind on the day – but when everything was running against us.

As Dave (Parkin) said, he mentioned he philosophy of Karl Marx, the underdog I suppose, I thrive on that a bit, but when all of us were down, and with respect to the Melbourne Football Club which I admire greatly, and I’ve always had tremendous respect, our best victory that I can recall in this sense was in 1961,  not in the Grand Final, but in the Semi Final, when we were in the right frame of mind, when every Hawthorn player who went onto the field knew what was ahead of him. When every Hawthorn player knew there was a chance.

We had to beat Melbourne because Melbourne stood between us and the premiership. We had a little bit of luck too, which made it even better, because its crook to lose when you have bad luck, you know. I know how Melbourne must have felt, but football is a ruthless game, but things went our way that day – a few things happened too that made a little bit of spice to it, a little bit of spice to the game. But that had happened to us plenty of time over the years – we’d copped it for year after year. 

So that day , as I said, when Morton kicked a goal, I think most Hawthorn supporters knew that we had the game and we had the premiership when we beat Melbourne that day, and that’s the sort of victory that stands out in my mind. Now to contrast that with our performance in 1975, when that was what was missing. My fault, I’ve said it all the time. Our team, our team was not in the right frame of mind. We were not prepared to pay the price that’s required when you are going to win a premiership.  Because everybody want to win a premiership, and it’s a big game, and it’s a big price that’s got to be paid, and there is no question in 1975 we just didn’t have it.

I had slipped a little bit, just enough to make a difference, and this is nothing to take away from the tremendous effort of North and Ron and the boys, this is not to take away from that at all, but it took that – to get into all of our heads, that we weren’t going to let that happen again in 1976, and it didn’t happen again. And though we didn’t play at our top, we had the right approach.

Dave, you’ll forgive me for saying this, because this is more important than whose testimonial it is – this is more important. This year we have seen, I believe, I can say this without any humility at all, tremendous improvements in the team. We’ve got a daring team who are prepared to do things that perhaps we weren’t prepared to do before with a more conservative approach. And don’t let us mistake our attitude when the final series come. All of us here and this important for the team, this is important for the present team because football after all is a game for the present, very much a game for the present. All of us here from 1961, from before that time, 1971, all those years, the players who are here tonight are Hawthorn players and the administrators are all together for Hawthorn’s sake. As Phil said, ‘it’s a great club, a wonderful club that it’s worth doing something for, absolutely worth doing something for. Now when we get into the final, into the finals this year, when we get onto that ground make sure, make sure, make absolutely sure,, that the eighteen we have got there, and Dave, and everybody is in the right frame of mind. If we are doing that, then I think we’ll get there, and it will be two in a row, and Dave will have his first premiership, and that’s what I want.

Thank you ladies and gentleman.

Thank you for this tremendous night, this tremendous life, at Hawthorn.

Daniel Bryan: 'I am grateful', WWE retirement - 2016

8 February 2016, Seattle, USA

So - just now I was able to close my eyes, and feel that. Like literally feel it, in a way that I’ve never gotten to feel it before.

Because when we’re here we’ve always got to keep our eyes open.

But just that experience, literally I’m never going to forget it.

I’ve been wrestling since I was eighteen years old. And within the first five months of my wrestling career, I’d already had three concussions. And for years after that,  I would get a concussion here and there. Or here or there. And then it gets to the point when you’ve been wrestling for sixteen years, that um, that adds up to a lot of concussions.

And it gets to a point where they tell you that you can’t wrestle anymore.

And for a long time I fought that, because this, I have loved this in a way that I have never loved anything else.

[Crowd: Thank you Daniel! Thank you Daniel!]

But a week and a half ago, i took a test that said maybe my brain isn’t as okay as I thought it was.

And I have a family to think about. And it is with a heavier heart, and the utmost sadness, that I officially announcemy retirement.

But if there’s one thing -- so I’ve gone through all of these complex emotions in this last little bit -- I’ve been angry, I’ve been sad, I’ve been frustrated, I’ve been all of that.

But today, when I woke up this morning, I felt nothing but gratitude.

I have gotten to do what I love for nearly sixteen years.

I am grateful. I am grateful, because of wrestling, I got to meet the most wonderful woman in the world. Who’s beautiful, she’s smart, and she completes me in a way that I didn’t even think was possible.

And that’s because of wrestling.

I am grateful.

Now tomorrow morning - I start a new life. A life where I am no longer a wrestler.

But that is tomorrow, and that is not tonight.

And by damn I have one more night to feel this energy, and to feel this crowd, so if I could just get one last ‘Yes!’ chant, I would really appreciate it.

[Crowd: Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!]

Jeremy Affeldt: 'I looked at my dad and I said "Dad I’m going to play here one day"', Retirement Ceremony - 2015

4 October 2015, AT&T Park, San Francisco, USA

This speech was delivered before Jeremy Affeldt pitched his last game for San Francisco Giants against Colorado Rockies.

It is so important for dad’s to encourage their sons and tell them that they’re proud of them.

When I was twelve years old in the Oakland Coliseum, and I looked at my dad and I said ‘dad I’m going to play here one day’, and my dad patted me on the head and said, ‘go for it kid’.

And I was twenty-two years of age, and I walked through that centre field fence, and I got on my cell phone and I called my dad, and I said, ‘Dad, do you know where I’m at?’ and he said, ‘yeah you’re in Oakland’.

I said, ‘Dad, I can see the seats we were sitting in when I told you I was going to play here. And I pitch tonight in Oakland’.

And my dad hung up the phone on me.

And I called my mom, and my mom answered, andI said, ‘what happened?’ and she said, ‘you’re dad’s crying.’

Later in the year you got to see me live in Safe Co, pitch in Seattle, and bases loaded and Mike Cain went up and it was a 3-2 count, and I struck him out, and my mom said my dad was yelling all over the stadium, ‘that’s my boy!’

To my bride. Girl, I love you. You know what that say, it’s my career. They say I’m retiring. They say congratulations to a great career, but it is not my career, and I’ll stand boldly before all of these men, and all of these people here today, and I will tell you this -- that it is not my career, it’s our career.

And you’ve been with me all the way from A-ball, to fourteen years in the major leagues. And I remember wanting to quit so many times, and I remember sitting on the counter in Kansas City, and I wanted to walk away from the game, and you looking me in my eyes, and you reminding me who I was, ‘cause I needed that.

And there are so many times in this game when I felt so alone, and I felt so ashamed of not doing well, and you, baby, you reminded me who I was, and I can’t thank you enough, for being who you’ve been to me, and the strength that I needed.

And to my boys ... man daddy’s coming home! Daddy gets to be home a lot more often.

And now you know about some of my other family ... my teammates.

I can’t do what I’ve done without them, and I’ve already said that, and I can’t name every one of them by name. But I truly love every single one of you, and I’ve really loved my time here.

But there are two that I can truly tell you ... I believe that there are friends that are closer than brothers. And I’ve got two on this team, that I can truly say that about -- Matt Cain and Buster Posey

I appreciate the road trips, I appreciate the times that we got to talk. I appreciate being able to meet your family, and know who you are, as men, and husbands, not just baseball players.

To Bruce Bochy -- man I can’t say enough about you.

Honestly they call these head coaches in major league baseball , they call em managers, but man, through all my experience of learning from a lot of leaders, you manage things and you lead people. And I truly believe that you led people.

So I know we call you managers but you’re one of the greatest leaders of men that I’ve ever met.

And finally to all of you ... the fans, man, talk about a family. You’ve been there, win or lose, day in or day out. You and the city have truly changed me.

And I’m gonna return home to Spocan, but I can promise you, I’m never going to leave this city.

And my son told me this morning, ‘he said Daddy I don’t want you to retire,’ and i said, ‘too late buddy I already announced it’.

And he said, ‘I don’t want you to retire because I’ m gonna miss coming across the Bay Bridge’.

And I said, ‘I’m gonnna miss coming across the Bay Bridge too, because when I see this place, I feel safe’.

Thank you San Francisco. Thank you for a very good seven years. I appreciate you all.

Thank you.

Brett Favre: 'I don't think I've got anything left to give', Retirement Speech - 2008

6 March, 2008, press conference, Lambeau Field, Wisconsin, USA

Seems like just yesterday we were here. Well, I think we all know why I'm here. First of all, sorry I'm late. But I am officially retiring from the NFL and the Green Bay Packers, and as much as I've thought about what I would say, and how ... I promised I wouldn't get emotional ... it's never easy ... you know, it's funny, I've watched hundreds of players retire, and you wonder what that would be like ... you think you're prepared ... but I was telling Deanna on the way over here, God has blessed me with so many great things. Ability, wonderful family. And as I was flying up here today I thought about so many different things and how I wanted to say some of the things that I felt like I need to say, but he gave me an opportunity to use my abilities, and I seized that opportunity ... I thank him for that.

I'd like to thank the Packers, for giving me the opportunity as well. I hope that every penny ... I hope that every penny that they've spent on me, they know was money well-spent. It was never about the money or fame or records, and I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things ... It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments, the teammates that I've played with, and I can name so many. It was never about me, it was about everybody else. It just so happens the position I played got most of the attention. But the Packers have been, ... it's been a great relationship, and I hope that this organization and the fans appreciate me as much as I appreciate them.

I can't leave without saying thanks to Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren for giving me a chance when no one else would. I'd like to thank Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson, Bob Harlan, Tom Clements my recent quarterback coach, Darrell Bevell. Mike was my quarterback coach in '99. Andy Reid, Marty, ... Steve Mariucci, Mike Sherman, Ray Rhodes, Tom Rossley, and I could go through so many different names and players and seasons. It's been everything I thought it would be, and then some. And it's hard to leave. You think you're prepared for it. I know there's been comments and issues in the press lately about why I'm leaving, whether or not the Packers did enough, whether or not Ted and Mike tried to convince me to stay. None of those things have anything to do with me retiring, and that's from the heart.

I've given everything I possibly can give to this organization, to the game of football, and I don't think I've got anything left to give, and that's it. I know I can play, but I don't think I want to. And that's really what it comes down to. Fishing for different answers and what ifs and will he come back and things like that, what matters is it's been a great career for me, and it's over. As hard as that is for me to say, it's over. There's only one way for me to play the game, and that's 100 percent. Mike and I had that conversation the other night, and I will wonder if I made the wrong decision. I'm sure on Sundays, I will say I could be doing that, I should be doing that. I'm not going to sit here like other players maybe have said in the past that I won't miss it, because I will. But I just don't think I can give anything else, aside from the three hours on Sundays, and in football you can't do that. It's a total commitment, and up to this point I have been totally committed.

As I look back on my career, no regrets. No regrets, whatsoever. Sure, I would have liked to have won more games, would have liked to have gone to a Super Bowl this year, would have liked to have thrown less interceptions, more touchdowns, but no regrets. I played the game one way, the only way I knew how.

I can't leave without saying thank you to the fans. When I laughed and when my family laughed, they laughed. When I cried, they cried. When I cheered, they cheered. When I threw an interception, well, you know. But it was a perfect fit for me. Little ol' Southern Miss, southern boy from Hancock County who had big dreams, no different than any other kid, to play here, and there's no better place to play. I had a conversation with Ron Wolf yesterday, and we had that discussion. To be thought of as one of the best players to play in this league, and to be mentioned within an organization that has players like Reggie White and Bart Starr and Paul Hornung and Willie Davis and Willie Wood and Herb Adderley and Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke, Vince Lombardi. To be mentioned with those people, ... I'm honored. Really ... I am honored. I hope everyone knows how special this is and I truly appreciate the opportunity, and as they say all good things must come ... come to an end.

But I look forward to whatever the future may hold for me. Deanna and our two girls, Brittany and Breleigh, I sincerely thank you Deanna and my family for being there and supporting me, going back and forth and switching schools and putting up with all those things. I know you probably have some questions, I'll try to answer them as best I can, but hopefully I addressed a lot of the issues and spoke from the heart.

Q: There are still many fans in denial about this. They think Brett is tired now, but after time passes, maybe he'll change his mind. It sounds like that won't happen, but can you address that?

I think last year and the year before I was tired and it took awhile but I came back. Something told me this time not to come back. It took awhile once again. Once again, I wondered if it was the right decision. But I think in my situation, and I had this conversation with Mike and Ted, that it's a unique situation in that at 17 years I had one of the better years in my career, the team had a great year, everything seems to be going great, the team wants me back, I still can play, for the most part everyone would think I would be back, would want me back. That's a unique situation going into an 18th season. There's no guarantees next year, personally and as a team, and I'm well aware of that. It's a tough business and last year and the year before I questioned whether or not I should come back because I didn't play at a high enough level. Other people questioned that. I really didn't question my commitment. I just wondered, 'Could I not play anymore?' I know I can play. But this year, and this is not the first year but it really to me and Deanna was more noticeable, the stress part of it. It's demanding. It always has been, but I think as I've gotten older I'm much more aware of that. I'm much more aware of how hard it is to win in this league and to play at a high level. I'm not up to the challenge anymore. I can play, but I'm not up to the challenge. You can't just show up and play for three hours on Sunday. If you could, there'd be a lot more people doing it and they'd be doing it for a lot longer. I have way too much pride, I expect a lot out of myself, and if I cannot do those things 100 percent, then I can't play.

Q: From a mental standpoint, how much impact did that last play have on your thought process? How much did you think about it as you walked off the field?

I didn't really think about it when I walked off the field. Would I have liked to have finished that game and season differently? Absolutely. But one play, one game, one season doesn't define me. As upset as I was at the end of that game, I really didn't think about my future at that particular time. I didn't know what I was going to do and know that I had to get away and think about it. And I've heard remarks from family and friends that you don't want to go out on a play like that. I hear that every year, regardless of the play: You've got to go out on top or you've got to go out this way or you've got to go out that way. I'm going out on top, believe me. I could care less what other people think. It's what I think and I'm going out on top. It's been a wonderful career and, once again, I have no regrets. As I think back about my career, and I've said this numerous times, the losses and the bad plays, the ups and downs, all to me were important. I would hate to think that we were perfect all the time. You would never appreciate how tough it is to get there. And through every loss and every bad play, it made the plays like the first play in the overtime game against Denver so much sweeter. As time passes, I don't know what I will do. I'm not really worried about it right now. I'll take it as it comes. Poeple say, 'Do you have a plan?' No, I don't. This is all I've ever done. I'm proud of the fact that I've done it this long and at a high level. This is a new phase in my life. I don't know what that exactly means, but it's been a pretty good ride.

Q: When you talk about the strain of the offseason commitment or the strain of living up to your high standards on Sundays and leading such a young team, did those weigh any differently?

The off-season -- the minicamps, the training camp and just individually your off-season preparation -- has been difficult. As I looked at this upcoming season, I said, I probably could get myself prepared to play. That really didn't have that much of a bearing on my decision. It's tough on everybody. But it was more the in-season strain. And Mike knows this, there were numerous Saturdays (before) home games where I was here at 8:30 at night watching film. I had never done that before. It was never enough for me. And Deanna knows this, after numerous games I would come home and after a couple of hours I had the computer out and I was watching film of the upcoming opponent instead of enjoying the win we just had. At some point, you've got to relax and enjoy and I found myself not enjoying it as much. It's fun to win but you've got to enjoy it and relax a little bit. That more than anything was taking its toll on me.

Q: Some guys when they walk away can't get near the team they left. Do you see yourself being involved with this team in the upcoming year, or with Aaron Rodgers?

I'm sure that we will talk. I'm sure Mike and I will talk. But they have coaches and because I've played 17 years and had a great career here doesn't make me an expert. The way I've done things has worked for me. It may not work for the next guy. The last thing I want to be is one of those guys who hangs around and, because of my status, they keep me around. They don't know how to tell me no. Will I be a Green Bay Packer for life? Sure. That doesn't mean I come in and give my opinions and things like that. I wish the Packers well. I wish Aaron well. I think he'll do a great job. I think he has the talent. I've heard it for the last three years that hopefully he's learned from Brett. What that means I don't know. He's his own player, he has his own style and that's what he needs to stick to. Hopefully, what he's learned from me are things away from playing, how to handle certain situations and be a teammate and things like that. I think here in the last couple of years, that's where I've noticed, in my case, things maybe changing a little bit. You can credit it to age or whatever, but I was never really a vocal person. That hasn't changed. I always enjoyed playing the game and having fun and cracking up and things like that and I didn't do that as much. I maybe was not as good a teammate from that standpoint as I once was. Not to get away from your questsion, but I think that had some bearing on my decision as well. I don't even want to think about next year. Will I watch games? I'm sure I will. Will I be involved? I always made the joke about being here for the honorary coin toss. Well, that time may come. So I may be back for something like that. But as far as giving advice, I don't think that will happen.

Q: You said you didn't have an exact plan. What are some things you're looking forward to doing?

Nothing. Nothing. Ron Wolf asked me yesterday, 'What are you going to do?' I said, 'Nothing.' And I'm going to stick to that until I want to do something else.

Q: With so many accolades and honors, how do you want to be remembered?

You know, I think we all want to be liked and we want good things said about us, positive things said about us. As I stated earlier, I hope people appreciate me, the way I played the game, as much as I appreciate them. The way I approached the game, the way I played it, to me all was important. The statistics part of it were never that important. They have been earlier in my career. I was never really a statistics guy, and that's coming from a guy that ran the wishbone and wing-T in high school and was signed as a safety in college. So statistics never were never a big part of my makeup and I think people know that. I'm well aware of the statistics, the records that I have right now. I think those were meant to be ... That's why they keep records, for those to be broken. I'm sure it makes for good TV when the next guy comes through. But I hope my legacy is a lot more than that. If I have to be remembered because of statistics then I did something wrong along the way. I really believe that I left a lot more than that. I can't make people like me or say good things about me but I hope that I left a pretty good impact on people. As I've heard, that the way he's played the game, with as much fun as he's had, is all important and I agree with that. It's a game and I played it spontaneously, nothing was ever choreographed. And I've always said this: the money they pay is icing on the cake. It had no bearing on the way I played. I played the game regardless a certain way. And I hope that's what people appreciate about me.

Q: Playing in 275 straight games and the pride you took in that, how hard was it to admit to yourself that commitment just wasn't there anymore?

Well, yes and no. It's been 275 games, at some point it's got to end. I think there will be people, including myself, saying, 'Hey, you can still do it.' But I don't want to be one of those guys that you say, 'Well, he stuck around too long.' Who knows when that will be? Relatively healthy for the most part. There are little things here and there that bother me. The thing that I'm most impressed about in my career is the fact that I've played in all those games. Whether it be consecutive or not, the fact that I played in that many games is amazing. Might as well leave when I've still got my health for the most part. As far as a career goes, it's been wonderful. So it's been everything I thought it would be and then some. None of those statistics come without playing and there's nothing left to prove, there really isn't. There was nothing last year to prove. I've known that. I have a lot of pride but it wasn't that difficult. It's more important for me to play the game a certain way and be (in it) completely, than it is to admit to myself that maybe I don't have it anymore.

Q: Waking up this morning, knowing you were coming up here to do this, what have the emotions been like? What's today been like?

I'm not going to lie to ya. There was a lot ... I flew up here by myself, Deanna was already up here. I thought of so many different things. At first I got up and drove Breleigh to school. We were late as usual. I just went about my day up to that point as I always do. In the back of my mind, I knew in just few hours I was not going to be a Green Bay Packer anymore. That was hard. Breleigh understands but I didn't let on that something was bothering me. But as I got closer and closer, there was a knot the size of a basketball in my throat. There were so many things... Again, I'm not a person that likes to get up and speak. I thought about writing some things down that I wanted to say. I didn't want to leave anyone out. I wanted to say the right things. I wanted to come across as genuine. I wanted to leave gracefully. The more I thought about all those things, the worse it got. I have to admit that there's a little bit more of a relief right now. It went over somewhat smoothly. Time will tell. But it was a tough day. And Jeff (Blumb) and I went round and round. He wanted me to come up right away, the Packers wanted me to come up. If it was me, I would have just done something later. Which to me later meant they'll forget about it and it will be over and done with. But I'm glad it's done. It was tough, it will be tough. Today was extremely difficult. But I believe it's the right thing.

Q: You're one of the most competitive people, and other athletes who have retired have talked about needing something to fuel their competitive desire. Have you thought about that and how you transition that way?

I think every individual is different. I will say this, I have listened to advice in the past, directly or indirectly. People said play as long as you can - make them drag you off the field. If I play much longer, they will. So my situation has been different. Not too many people have played 275 games, not too many people have had the career that I've had. It's easy, I think, for other people to say, 'Do this' or 'Do that' There aren't many people who have been in my situation. Because of that I'm so thankful, but I have to be cautious looking at it from their standpoint. Will I find something to do that's equal to throwing a touchdown pass at Lambeau Field? I doubt it. Will I find something that's as equal as playing in the Super Bowl or playing a game in general? I doubt it. I'm not even going to try.

As I said earlier, there really isn't a plan. I know that this place and what it's meant to my career is really special, and to think that I can find something to replace that and feel the same, I'm no fool. I know there's nothing out there like that. So I'm not even going to try. But life does go on and I will do something, whatever that may be. But it will be nice for awhile, I think, to feel like I don't have to live up to certain expectations, not only that other people have of me, but I have of myself. I can just kind of as they say, ride off into the sunset, whatever that means. Just try to relax for once in my life and enjoy it. And I'm going to steal a quote from Deanna, and I thought about this on the way up, 'See life through the front windshield, not through the rearview mirror.' I think that is so true, so important. And people who know me and play with me and coaches that I work with, I can recite almost every play I've ever ran, called, think about near every game I've played in, and that's going back to high school. So as I look back, I can't say, 'What if? I don't quite remember that game or that play.' But there are things in life I can't say that about. There are things I missed. And you can't get those things back. From this day forward, I hope to kind of see things through the front windshield.

Q: Coach Holmgren released a statement that talked about how proud he was to see you grow as a person even more than on the football field. Can you talk about who you were and how you've grown and who you are today?

I think my career in life has been well-documented. We have lived my life in the public and that's OK. If I had to deal with it again, I would do it here in Green Bay. The people here have been phenomenal. I'm not just saying that because I'm here in front of you guys. We have been supported as if we were native. But, you know, for me it's been 16 wonderful years. And I look back and I was watching at home last night, I actually broke down and watched some of the footage. How could you not? I realize what it's like to die. As I'm watching TV last night, I said, 'This is what it's like when you die.' They're honoring me and saying all these things and showing all these games. It's good, but I've come a long ways. Some of those old interviews, I thought I had it all figured out, which I didn't. But fortunately I was able to overcome a lot of my - I don't know what you want to call it - insecurities or whatever, one thing about it is I can play football. And because of that I'm still here. Throughout that process I've become a better person, a more likeable person I hope. And as my skills maybe diminished, maybe I've picked up the slack in other areas. I'm about as proud of that as anything I've done on the field. I'm not perfect by any means. I'm not going to say that, not even close. Nor will I ever be. As I look back at my career and as I watched footage last night, I have come a long ways, in a positive way and I'm truly thankful for that.

Q: I have a question for Deanna if you wouldn't mind going up to the microphone. I just wanted to ask what retirement means to you and your family and the work you've done in Green Bay and with other organizations, in retrospect and looking forward?

I promised her she wouldn't have to speak.

Deanna: I'm not real crazy about being up here. It's been very rewarding to be part of this community and to be a part of the charity work going on because it always seemed like a team effort. The people here are very appreciative, grateful, for everything we've done and I hope we'll continue in some form or another with our charity work here, but I don't think it will be the extent it has been.

We're going to take a break for a year.

Deanna: We have decided to take a break from all events this year, so the softball game we normally have in June we won't have. I know that will disappoint a lot of people, but honestly we are really tired right now.

Q: Is there anything anybody in the organization could have said to you to change your mind and get you to play one more season?

Once again I think that there have been a lot of things in the press this week that aren't true. Believe me, I've questioned my decision. I believe it's the right decision. And there's nothing that they can do or say to change that. They can make me wonder. But I think that's part of it. But once again, I think it's the right decision. It's a hard decision. I know for the last couple of years, I mean, I'm sure there a lot of people who said, 'Finally.' Good or bad, he made a decision. Believe me, it was hard. Very hard. Because that decision is made don't think I won't question it. But that's life. For people who've never had to make a decision like the one I've had to make, I can't begin to explain to you how difficult it is. But I made it and I have to be at peace with that.

Q: As you reviewed this decision, are you saying that in order to match your standard, you had to put so much more into it and as a result you weren't getting as much fun out of it?

I had so many people saying, 'You look like you had a lot of fun out there this year,' and I did. But what they don't see, that's three hours during the course of a week and I'm no different than most people. I can act the part and I know I expect a lot out of myself and certain things are expected of me within this organization and I tried to live up to those all the time. And Brett Favre got hard to live up to. And I found myself during games at times, tough situation, people always kind of made this joke or other guys on the team, even Mike at times would turn to me and say, 'All right Brett. This is where you're at your best. Pull us out.' I'm thinking, 'Uh! ... ' Now I wouldn't do that, but I'm thinking that. I'm thinking, 'Boy it sure would be nice to be up about 14 right now.' It's just hard. It got hard. I did it, but it got hard. I don't think it would get easier next year or the following year. It hasn't up to this point. It's only gotten tougher and something told me, it's gotten too hard for you. I could probably come back and do it, suck it up, but what kind of a toll would that take on me, my family or my teammates? At some point it would affect one of those, if not all of them. Maybe it has already. I don't know. I can't speak for my teammates, but maybe it's affected my play. If I even question for a second that toll that it takes has affected at least one play, then it's time to leave. You can't second-guess any decision you make on the field or wonder did the pressure or stress get to you. I think if you're starting to question that at all, then it's probably time to go.

Q: Guys talk about the locker room, plays, and games. What will you miss the most?

Well, in my discussions with former players, every one of the guys I've talked to has said the things you miss, you miss the games but it is the guys. And I haven't heard too many guys say I miss meetings or miss practice. But I may be one of those rare people who miss that to a certain extent as I'm involved in it. Sitting in meetings or practice, I have to admit, I thought about being elsewhere, but it's easy to do that when you're in the moment. But the friendships you make along the way, they come and go to a certain extent. But they are special and that I think I'll miss, grinding together. Football, I think is very unique in that of all the sports because you have to rely on one another so much more than the other sports and it's a physical sport, which I think in turn mentally challenges you more so than any other sport. And I am a little biased, but I will miss that. Sitting in those meetings with the receivers and figuring out how we're going to beat the upcoming team and challenging each other and doing it in a fun way, slapping our big linemen on the butt, which I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon. But all that stuff, man that's just what it's all about. And I will miss that stuff.

Q: What's the most memorable play or most memorable game you'll take with you?

I hate when that question's asked. I don't have one. I really don't. I know if you ask anyone who's covered the Packers or Brett Favre over the years, ask them their top five plays or games, they're going to give you some, as I probably could, too. But it's too hard. They all meant a lot to me. For obvious reasons, some may mean a little more. But I think most people who have never played professional football would kill for one opportunity to play if they could and I had thousands and thousands of plays. But the thing that is unique about me is that every one of those plays meant something to me, and I really mean that. I never took a play off and to me it came natural to me. And to sit here and name a few plays that meant more, there were some that were more exciting, there were some that other people could say, 'That's my favorite.' That's fine. But the fact I got a chance to take a snap under center in Green Bay or in professional football was something special. And the fact I've done it for that many years and have so many plays, they're all special.

Q: You've been embraced so wholeheartedly by the entire nation. Why do you think you've had that privilege?

Well, I think, I'm probably the wrong person to ask that. But if I had to guess I would say, and I hear this from time to time, he's like one of us. Well, I am. I just play professional football. Now that is a little different job than most people. But we are regular people and things have happened to our family, maybe it being that we're in the public eye, things we've had to deal with, tragedy, obviously has (been) dealt with within the community and the world when other people are able to deal with it privately. So I think people say, 'You know what, death does happen to Brett Favre and Deanna Favre. Cancer does happen to them.' It's not all about making a lot of money and being on TV all the time. There's more to it than that. And I think, I hate to say that we're appreciated because of that because we would love to change some of those things. But it's life and we've had to deal with it with the public and we're thankful for that because it has helped. And I think coming across as, to me as genuine as possible. Deanna told me on the way over her that her sister had called her, Christy, and said that Marshall Faulk was wondering what I was going to wear. Well, Marshall, here I am. This is about as dressed up as you're going to see. I thought about wearing a suit, I really did. I thought about shaving. But, what you see is what you get. And I hope that I never change. I don't think I will. I hope that people appreciate that side of me because it is real, obviously. And it's the way I played the game. I've always said that people watching in the stands I could see them saying, 'If I could play, that's the way I'd want to play.' And that is important to me because that's the only way I know how to play it. That's the only way I know how to dress. That's the only way I know how to act. Right or wrong, it's the only way and I think people do appreciate that.

Q: You were so close to the Super Bowl. Do you feel the 2008 Packers are capable of another Super Bowl run, and did that make this decision more difficult for you?

Sure. This is a good football team, and I think I could be sitting here next year saying, I could be pulling a Tiki Barber - what if? But you know, that's the chance you take. I've been to the Super Bowl, been fortunate to play on some great teams. Once again, I have no regrets and there are no guarantees. And in our discussions, we've said that over and over again. All we can make at this point are predictions, what we think will happen. And not too many people thought the Packers would be 13-3 this year, me included. But who knows? But there are no guarantees. And hopefully the Packers do go on and have great success. And if that is the case, I hope I don't say, you made the wrong decision. I don't believe I'll do that. I really don't. But this team is really close, and that makes it a little bit tougher, it makes it tougher to leave. Boy, we were right there. But that was last year we were right there.

So the Packers wanted me, I know I can play, the fans, I guess they love me. They were camped out at my gate, the media. All these great things. Why would you retire? That's a tough question. It's a tough decision. But once again, I think I made the right decision regardless of whether we were 13-3 and on the cusp of another Super Bowl. And I keep going back to, I've done everything there is to do, and then some, and then some. I would have liked to have won more Super Bowls, but you know what? I'm not disappointed about that. I gave it my all. I think people who know me know that. And I don't know if I had any more to give. There will be no what-ifs. When I think of high school and I think of college, I think I could play a little bit better at times. I didn't really appreciate (it), because high school, before you know it, it was over. College, before I knew it, it was over. I had 17 years and those experiences in high school and college to make sure I didn't say what if in professional football. And I don't think I will say what if.

Q: Does it feel as though you're leaving on your own terms?

Sure. Yeah, we all would like to leave on our own terms. What those terms are, I've heard so many times, 'Man, I'd like to see him go out like Elway.' Well, Elway was different. He'd never won a Super Bowl, until they beat us. We could have went 3-13 this year, and I was going out on top. People may argue against that, but look at my career. I shouldn't have to make an argument. And maybe I'm the only one who's so well aware of how blessed I really was. And I want to say this again. I know I get credit for the wins, yards, touchdowns, even interceptions. But it was about everyone else. Coaches, players, fans. I want to say that again: Our accomplishments. I never thought it was fair, the attention that the quarterback gets. Being labeled as, he has 160 wins. What about everyone else? And as I walk away, I'm walking away on top, my head high, chin up. And it is on my terms. It is on my terms. Which is a good way to go out.

Q: The toughest job in sports is to play quarterback in the NFL, and there's even more to that in your situation in Green Bay. Can you talk about carrying the hopes and dreams of this community and franchise for 16 years and restoring the team to glory after so many down years?

I go back to what I said when I look back at old clips. It's a good thing I didn't know any better. I watch those interviews, and it's painful to watch. But in a lot of ways that was good for me. I had talent, probably thought I had more. I probably thought a little more of myself than I should have. But I was talented to a certain degree, but I was so naïve. Believe me, I knew all about the Green Bay Packers, and all those great players that have played here before. Knew all about the tradition. But I thought, what the heck. What's the big deal? Now, if I had to go back with the same mentality right now that I have and start over again, I probably wouldn't make it, because I'm so much more aware of how difficult it is to win, to prepare. I'm well-aware of the expectations. Back then, it was like, bring them on. No big deal. And that mentality helped me, as I looked back. It's painful to watch, but it helped me.

It is a unique franchise. I'm telling you something that we all know. There's only a few in professional sports that are like this one. It's a tough job. I don't know how tough other jobs are, because I've never done them. But I know to be the quarterback, period, is tough. To be the quarterback in Green Bay, and to have success, is very difficult. But I'm proof it can be done. As I look back, and dreaming as a little kid, I hate to admit it I always dreamt of being a Dallas Cowboy, and winning Super Bowls and being Roger Staubach. Think of all the kids, and there's probably some here in Wisconsin who have dreamed of being Brett Favre and doing the things that he's done, as I look back on my career, those dreams have been surpassed a thousand times over, and that is rare that I've been able to do that. Because I was no different than anyone else with those dreams.

I wish Aaron the best of luck. I think once again he'll do a fine job. It can be done. I know everyone's made comments that, boy, big shoes to fill. The only shoes he has to fill is himself. He doesn't need to play like Brett Favre. It's all about the cast around you, it's about the coaching staff. If you stay focused on the fact that it's not about you -- they obviously drafted him because he has the talent, mental capabilities -- he'll be fine. Hopefully one day he's sitting here where I am and able to experience what I've been able to experience.

(For all of your contributions on the field, are you just as grateful and proud of your off-the-field accomplishments, the impact you've had with Make-A-Wish kids, your foundation, and other charities?)

If you really think about it, that stuff is so much more important than football. But at times we lose sight of that. Deanna and I this past Sunday were down in Gulfport, Mississippi. Ronnie Hebert, that name probably doesn't ring a bell to anyone in here, but he was a figure on the Gulf coast for 65 years, in fact. As my dad coached Legion ball for 28 years, the summer in Gulfport, Ronnie Hebert was a bat boy, was mentally challenged. Deanna surprised me several years ago at our dinner, charity dinner, bringing Ronnie up. He passed away this past week, suddenly. He had a long, fun life. Never saw him disappointed. But I've had so many people say to me, boy, you made a great impact on Ronnie and great impact on Make-A-Wish kids, and so on and so forth. But it's the impact they had on me. That's what it's all about. For me, football has been wonderful in a lot of ways, but the fact that I've been able to touch other people's lives, and Deanna has said this I don't know how many times, that you don't realize the impact you have on people, I really don't. I've never really thought about it. All I've thought about was playing football and playing it a certain way, and whatever comes along with that, great. Whether it be money, commercials, reaching out to people, charity, whatever. It's because of football, I'm well aware of that. But because of football, I've been impacted by a lot of people and charities.

We were in Phoenix a couple weeks ago visiting the Children's Hospital, boy, that's tough. It's really, really tough. And I'm very thankful that I've got two daughters who are (in) great health, and up to this point life has been pretty good. Difficult at times, but I think we can all say that, but it's been pretty good. And I can't say that for other people. But I am, once again, I'm not perfect, never will be. I'll probably get in trouble with Deanna at times, with my girls at times, but I do have a different outlook on life, much more than 16 years ago. But I am very proud of the things that we have done off the field. Could we have done more? Sure. Could we all do more? Absolutely. But we have impacted other people's lives in a positive way I would hope, and we are thankful for that.