i've played baseball

 

i've played football

 

favre's streak is more impressive. Much more physical sport, a lot more contact, and tho some might say that you're playing every day in baseball, as opposed to every week in football, footballers have to practice every day, which is probably harder than a normal baseball game anyways, unless it's pregame.

Like Heckeroo - I've played both sports.

 

There is no question that both streaks are impressive.

 

I've been hit by a 95 MPH fastball in the ribs - dusted myself off - took my base, then promptly stole 2nd.

 

I've been hit by a 225 lb high school kid in the side of the knee - and promptly saw my football AND baseball seasons go bye bye.

 

I can not imagine what it would be like to get slammed to the frozen tundra by LT, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan, et all.

 

Brett Favre is the starter at QB because he continues to perform at an elite level day in and day out. He starts because he gives his team the best chance at winning. During the last 4 or 5 years of his streak, Cal was certainly not one of the top players at his position. He was OFTEN removed to improve the offense late in a tight game. After his streak ended, he played in fewer than 1/2 the games over the next two years. Why? Because they thought Mike Bordick was a better option at SS.

 

OBVIOUSLY, I have huge respect for Cal Ripken. I do not - for even a millisecond - have any reservations about calling him one of the greatest athletes of his generation. I give him full credit for being crucial to helping to save baseball from itself in a way that no other man had ever done since Babe Ruth. With all of that in mind - his streak was as much about politics and luck as it was about durability.

 

Brett Favre's streak [over twelve seasons in the making] is about to hit 220 - counting playoffs - which is almost 50% more than the previous record of 123. FIFTY PERCENT. In terms of durability for that sport - that is ludicrous. Add to this tally the physical toll that these hits are taking on his body, and Brett Favre is certainly paying a higher price for his streak of longevity.

 

At the end of the day, Cal Ripken is one of the best baseball players ever, paved his own path to Cooperstown and redefined the position of SS in the process.

 

Similarly, Brett Favre is among the greatest QB's ever to play the game, has paved his own path to Canton and carried the hopes of a team - nay, an entire region of our country - on his shoulders.

 

For all of these reasons, and with all of this in mind I have come to one inescapable conclusion: Brett Favre's streak is more impressive.