Rick_Garcia's Blog

It was really something to see. One of the greatest quarterbacks of our time, a "man's man",  beginning to sob as he announced after 17 years he was hanging up the cleats. Kinda cool when you consider what an amazing athlete Brett Favre is. Not because he holds several of pro football's records for a signal caller. But because he left his guts on the field day in and day out. The ultimate team player. He took a lot of shots over the years. Felt the pain of lumbering defensive linemen who sometimes weighed over 300 pounds laying on him.
    I don't think I was as moved when Terrel Owens the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver cried while sticking up for his teammate Tony Romo earlier this season. Probably because he doesn't seem that sincere. Probably because  he doesn't seem to know a lot about being a team player. Some say he's learning as he matures. When he's finished playing then maybe he deserves to cry too.
    I'm not sure I felt anything either when Dick Vermiel cried when he announced he was retiring as a head coach. And he led my favorite team the Rams to a Super Bowl tile. Of course Dick was known to be a crier. The Rams make me want to cry a lot by the way.
    A buddy of mine played for the Kansas City Chiefs during their better years under then coach Marty Schottenheimer. He told me Marty would cry a lot after games. My buddy said that eventually got old.
    Generally when I think of a moment worthy of tears in sports I think of New York Yankees legend Lou Gherig's famous speech when he announced he was leaving baseball. Lou was dying from a disease nobody had ever heard of.. Yet the closest he came to a break down was a crackle in his voice. Boy if there was ever a time to cry like a baby that was it!
     I cried when Billy Dee Williams (playing Gale Sayers) made that "I love Brian Piccolo" speech in the true story "Brian's Song". The movie also starred James Caan as Brian. Part of the reason I cried was because Gayle cried after the death of his friend Brian. The racial overtones went over big with me. (Gayle is black-Brian was white)I think I was eight at the time this movie came out in the late 60's.
    I've cried since. Just not a lot. But not because I'm too tough. I just don't know what it's like to pour my heart and soul into something then be have to walk away from it LIke Favre.
I guess he deserves a good cry!
What Real man wouldn't?!