Yay Brett Favre retires, now just don’t turn on ESPN

Here’s what I wrote at the Sun-Times before the Bears week 16 game against the Pack:

How do you the Bears fan feel about Brett Favre? I’ll assume that I am a little younger then some readers, so maybe our opinions will differ. Personally, I detest Favre. I feel like the man single-handedly ruined a small portion of my childhood, and for that, I can never gather any real admiration for him. I am only 20 years old, so for my entire life, Favre is the only Packers quarterback I have ever known. He has stuck it to the Bears so many times, it would be impossible for me to even remotely root for him. Maybe that comes off as a tad immature or crazy, but I can’t help it.

I’d like to know how many Bears fans like, respect, and appreciate Favre. He certainly seems like a nice fellow in interviews and has had his fair share of hard personal moments in recent years. I would assume that most Bears fans think highly of Favre, and that my thinking is in the minority.

Needless to say I’m happy he’s gone. A few interesting subplots from this:

• The best quarterback in the NFC North? Jon Kitna.

• Best thing about him leaving: they’ll never show that graphic when the Bears and Packers play of how many starting quarterbacks the Bears have had since Favre took over in Green Bay.

• No matter what you think of Aaron Rodgers (and I think he’s pretty good), it’s hard to consider the Packers the division favorites right now. I think the NFC North is the Bears to lose as it stands, though I could see all four teams finishing around 8-8.  

• Maybe this means the Bears can finally find a quarterback now. The Bears historic quarterback struggles were always juxtaposed (I probably didn't use that correctly) against the greatness of their biggest rival's QB. Maybe Favre leaving is just what the Bears needed to find a franchise signal caller.