A sad day.

Yesterday was a very sad day for any Green Bay Packers fan. The heart and soul of this franchise, Brett Favre, has announced his retirement after 17 unforgettable seasons.

During his career, the Packers' quarterback has made his mark in many different ways. Favre has re-written many pages of the NFL record book. Favre played 17 seasons in the NFL and started every game for the Packers since his first start in 1992 through his retirement.

The NFL record book now has Brett Favre written all over: most career NFL touchdown passes (442), most career NFL passing yards (61,655), most career pass completions (5,377), most career pass attempts (8,758), most career NFL interceptions thrown (288).

And for the most impressive record of them all, the most consecutive starts among NFL quarterbacks (253). The consecutive starts show 275 total starts if we include the playoff games. Favre also has registered the most career victories as a starting quarterback with 160. Favre led his team to two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots.

To register so many records during his glorious career, Favre had to play despite injuries. Many would've missed a couple of weeks but the dedication to his teammates and his fans made him play despite broken fingers, a banged up shoulder or elbow.

Favre even played the day following the death of his own father. I can remember this game very well as it was a very emotional moment. Despite the grief, Favre completed four touchdown passes during the first half and led his team to a 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders. After the game, Favre commented his performance: "I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game. It's meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn't expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight."

His nomination into football's Hall of Fame is only a matter of time. His name and number 4 will also appear on Lambeau field's ''ring of fame'' among other Packers greats like Vince Lombardi, Ray Nitschke, Bart Starr, Reggie White and E.L. ''curly'' Lambeau.

Thank you for the memories Brett.

(Picture: Brett Favre, Getty images.)