Listen Up, Brett. You have absolutely nothing to gain.

Brett Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brett Favre is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Brett Favre is a sports legend. Brett Favre is to Green Bay what rice is to roni. Brett Favre is making a huge mistake.

Every preceding sentence is true, including the last one. You'd have to be crazy to dispute Favre's elite status in the game, but it is also painfully evident that Favre's recent actions ooze selfishness. He has an itch to play again------I understand that------but the way in which he has handled this itch has only caused more swelling. Everything was set up beautifully for Favre to ride off into the sunset without a blemish in sight. Favre was superb in what was supposed to be his final season, leading the Packers to the NFC Championship Game, only to fall in defeat in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants. Sure, they didn't go all the way, which prevented Favre from going out in Jerome Bettis-like fashion. Let's remember, however, that almost no one thought Green Bay stood a chance at success last season. Number 4 impressed and surprised everyone by coming so close to that illustrious Vince Lombardi trophy. When he announced his retirement back in early March, Favre came across as the ultimate sportsman: classy, genuinely emotional, and wonderfully gracious. Little did we know that it was all an act. Roughly four months later, Brett Favre is back to his old tricks, holding the Packers hostage once again.

He does this every year, always keeping the Packers waiting. This will he or won't he retire shtick is getting tired, Brett. You say that you are not wanted. This is hogwash. For the past couple of years it was GM Ted Thompson who begged you to return. Now you're saying nobody wants you?!?! That is simply absurd.

If Favre chooses to return with another team, as he seems to desire, he will be making one of the biggest athletic mistakes in recent memory. It may not damage his Hall of Fame legacy, but his reputation will surely take a hit. Should he suit up for, say, the Vikings, it will have the same stink of Emmitt Smith ending up in Arizona and Michael Jordan ending up in D.C.. Even if he comes back with Green Bay, he has nothing to gain. This should be the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers era. I do not blame the Cheeseheads for being pessimistic about Rodgers, but the time is right for a new era at Lambeau. Aaron Rodgers will likely have a rocky start; then again, so did Peyton Manning. Not to mention the fact that the clubhouse would be divided in the event of Favre's return. All the veterans will pledge allegiance to Number 4, while the younger players will strongly defend Aaron Rodgers. A team rarely has success when the locker room is jam packed with tension.

All will be forgiven if Favre changes his mind. As of this very moment, however, I have lost my patience with him. I know it's hard to walk away from the game that you loved after so many years, but the way in which Favre is behaving is unacceptable. Brett Favre needs to do the right thing and embrace the Aaron Rodgers era. His legacy hangs in the balance.