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Former Packers QB Bart Starr, who quarterbacked Green Bay from 1956-71 and won five NFL championships - a record for all NFL quarterbacks - during the Lombardi era, chimes in on his now-retired counterpart, Brett Favre.

"Obviously, you have mixed feelings," said Starr, "because of our admiration and respect for him for so many years, the fact that my wife Cherry and I have been privileged to get to know his wife, Deanna, and Brett well."

Brett Favre can only watch the NY Giants advance to Super Bowl XLII. | Photo: AP That was one side of Bart's reaction.

"The other side of it, was, 'wow, that's quite a loss.' "

Starr, who's been through playing, then losing the game he loves, knows what Brett will experience.

"You miss it a great deal, because it's become a way of life with you. The friendships, the camaraderie, together, everyone achieves more.

"You miss that, and it's an adjustment."

Brett Left On Top, Bart Not So Much

Combine Favre and Starr's accomplishments and you get two Hall of Fame careers, six NFL titles and four league MVP's between them, but two different ways in how they retired.

Favre left this season setting career highs for completion percentage and games won by his team in a regular season, and only his last pass, an interception by the New York Giants' Corey Webster, can soil what was otherwise a spectacular last hurrah.

"He has been very fortunate to not have any serious injuries, never missed a game which is an incredible feat to play as long as he did," said Bart.

Starr left the game after suffering through shoulder injuries in 1970 and 71, and his team's record also went down hill - a combined 10-16-2 in those seasons.

"I was injured my last two years. I made the wrong decision. My performance went down the hill my last two years because of those injuries."

A Mutual Admiration Society

When describing Brett Favre, Bart Starr uses verbiage that sounds eerily similar to the rest of us mere mortal Packers fans.

"I have never seen a talent like that, ever," says Starr.

Bart may have Brett beat in the championship department, but when it comes to playing the pure position, Bart thinks Brett far outdoes his Hall of Fame credentials.

"I've told many people that Brett could throw the ball better on his knees than I could standing. I've just never seen anyone like him."

What will number 15 say to number four as Favre starts his new life as a full-time husband, father and tractor rider?

"I would just simply say how proud we are, as (Packers) alumni, of what he has done, for that organization, the great leadership he provided them, the accomplishments the team made under his leadership for so many years.

"We just wish him well in retirement."

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