Thanks for the 16-year thrill ride, Brett. We cheeseheads have no idea how good we’ve had it for so long. My entire adult life has been spent cheering you on and watching you struggle, learn from your mistakes, try again, scrap and fight through hardship and heartbreak, and eventually celebrate as a true champion.

I am proud to be a Packer fan, and I even appreciate your moments of personal struggle that provided a chance to explain to my kids what being a Man meant. Respect, humility, commitment, leadership by example. Acknowledge your mistakes, grow, move on.

Bruce Wayne’s father in Batman Begins : “And why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” You did that very thing, time and time again, and I am grateful.

In related news… a state-wide suicide watch in Wisconsin is in effect until October. We’ll need to see a solid first month of football from Mr. Aaron Rodgers before relief washes over us, I’m guessing.