Today Brett Favre retired. Rather than trying to add analysis to something that has been covered ad nauseum, I am going to showcase his longjevity by benchmarking Brett’s career to other significant things in my life.
1991
Brett Favre: Favre’s only year not as a Packer. Throws 4 passes.
Ben Koo: Third grade, learned long division. Its a skill that has served me extremely well.
Random Fact: Rodney King is beaten, US soldiers return from Iraq, USSR collapses
1992-
Brett Favre: Favre becomes a Packer and earns starting role early in season. Shows flashes of brilliance as Packers go on 6 game winning streak.
Ben Koo: I become immersed in the Gold Rush.
Random Fact: Bill Clinton elected president, CD’s surpass casette tapes in sales.
1993-
Brett Favre: Favre leads Packers to playoffs, and wins first playoff game
Ben Koo: I play the saxophone. I find a loophole where I lie on practice cards to obtain better grades in music class.
Random Fact: US agents storm Waco, World Trade Center is bombed
1994-
Brett Favre: Throws 33 TD’s and only 14 interceptions
Ben Koo: I graduate elementary school
Random Fact: OJ chase, Nancy Kerrigan gets clubbed, ER premieres on television.
1995-
Brett Favre: Beats Niners in playoff game (last time I attended with my whole family) but loses to Cowboys in NFC Championship
Ben Koo: Have perfect attendance at all junior high and city sponsored dances (Lots of Michael Jordan cologne, and Binaca useage)
Random Fact: 150 million people watch as the not guilty verdict is read in the O. J. Simpson verdict.
1996-
Brett Favre: Favre wins his only Super Bowl.
Ben Koo: My first girlfriend, followed by my second, third and fourth girlfriends. 96 good was good to me.
Random Fact: Bob Dole gets a taste of Bill Clinton and can’t hang.
1997
Brett Favre: Gets back to Super Bowl but is upset by John Elway’s Broncos.
Ben Koo: Goes to private Catholic High school
Random Fact: Ellen comes out of the closet
1998
Brett Favre: Loses to Niners in historic playoff game.
Ben Koo: Gets driver’s license and is captain of JV footaball team.
Random Fact: The Euro is introduced. Monica Lewisnky scandal unfolds.
1999
Brett Favre: Packers do not make playoffs, Favre has iffy year with 22 TD’s and 23 Int’s
Ben Koo: Plays fantasy football for his first time and makes mistake of drafting Vinny Testeverde
Random Fact: Columbine tragedy, The Blair Witch Project does well at the box office.
2000
Brett Favre: Favre wins last 4 games of the year but still misses playoffs
Ben Koo: Is caught for throwing parties while parents on vacation. Argues “This is like the 20th one, so I must be doing something right.”
Random Fact: Elian Gonzales is all the rage
2001
Brett Favre: Packers get back to the NFC Championship but lose to the “Fastest show on Turf” Rams
Ben Koo: Enrolls at THE Ohio State University
Random Fact: 9/11 attack, the movie Pearl Harbor bombs, US invades Afghanistan
2002
Brett Favre: Favre makes Pro Bowl, but loses to Vick’s Falcons in the playoffs
Ben Koo: Decides that all Big Ten schools are in range of weekend road trips and follow football team on undefeated season.
Random Fact: Barry Bonds does a lot of roids but loses in World Series
2003
Brett Favre: Another Pro Bowl year, but loses to Mcnaab’s Eagles.
Ben Koo: Gets first internship at Time Inc.
Random Fact: Schwarzenegger becomes California govenor
2004
Brett Favre: Packers have another good season but lose in first round of playoffs to Vikings
Ben Koo: Interns at Acopia Networks outside of Boston
Random Fact: Bush re elected, Tsunami hits
2005
Brett Favre: Packers have miserable year. Favre throws 29 interceptions
Ben Koo: Graduates and stars work at Etrade.
Random Fact: Tom Cruise knocks up Katie Holmes and creeps out America.
2006
Brett Favre: Packers start off horrible but finish strong with 4 straight wins yet do not make playoffs
Ben Koo: Starts writing for Bucknuts
Random Fact: Crocodile Hunter is killed. Pluto loses status as a planet.
2007
Brett Favre: Rebounds with pro bowl year and get Packers to NFC Championship game where they lose in overtime.
Ben Koo: Buys his first HD tv… starts benkoo.com .
Random Fact: Iphone debuts
2008
Brett Favre: Favre calls it quits
Ben Koo: Discovers the joy that is Bourbon Street.
Random Fact: Patriots lose Super Bowl.
