Through all the flaws, we've always loved Favre

Brett Favre was always that carefree gunslinger, throwing footballs into tight spots and putting himself into a few as well.

Brett Favre has grown up a lot since he donned an Atlanta Falcons jersey. (US Presswire)

We all could relate to him. He loved the game. We loved watching him play. He was fearless. He was daring. He was the every man, the Southern kid with the aw-shucks, down-home attitude who happened to have a rocket for a right arm.

He also had flaws, which we all do. He had a substance-abuse problem early in his career. He was addicted to pain medication. He loved the nightlife as a young player, and admittedly was not the family man he should have been at times.

Maybe that's why so many loved Favre so much; fans saw themselves in him.

With his career seemingly over, his decision to retire coming out Tuesday, Favre leaves the game as one of the greatest passers of all time.

More important, he leaves as a better man.

Favre grew up, wised up. He stopped going out. He focused on his family. The troubles of his early years were left behind.

The young Favre was brash and arrogant and got caught up in the trappings of being an NFL star. The Favre of recent years dealt with tragedy after tragedy as a mature man, making him a better person.

He smiled more. He joked more. He got closer to his teammates.

When Packers coach Mike McCarthy took over in 2006, he didn't exactly have a warm relationship with Favre. That changed and the two became close. They teased each other a lot. McCarthy fined Favre for being late to a practice when Favre didn't pay close enough attention to the time, which Favre respected.

Favre always wanted the appearance that he was one of the guys, and the fine showed that he was. He was distant at times with teammates in his career, keeping to a select circle, but in recent years that changed, too. The outer layer of protection wasn't as hard to crack.

Last season, after the Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs on the road, Favre visited with friends and family in the hallway of Arrowhead Stadium. His brother and young nephew were there. Favre's face lit up as he talked about the kid's ability to throw the football. He made the kid show his motion to McCarthy. The coach said he had better footwork than his uncle.

"He's going to break all my high school passing records," Favre said.