This just in: the world has not come to an end.

Yes, Brett Favre has retired. Yes, we all feel an emptiness. After all, he has been the only Green Bay Packers quarterback known by an entire generation. His on-field accomplishments cannot be denied. His backstory -- from battling addiction to his wife's battle with breast cancer and his father's death in an automobile accident -- is the stuff of which TV movies are made. Aside from Oprah, he is probably the closest mortal deity we have ever known.

But, it's time.

The 2007 season was the perfect ending to a storied career; following several years of mediocrity, the wily veteran reaches deep down inside himself for one last great run. It was Jack Nicklaus at the 1986 Masters and Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open -- all rolled into one. Last season wasn't supposed to happen. But it did. And we were all lucky to be a part of it. Leave it at that.

So, to the fans in mourning -- get over it. He went out on top. His legacy is one of a gritty champion, not of one who stayed at the party way too long and embarrassed himself.

Sunday will be the same. The sun will rise. The grocery stores will still sell hot ham and rolls. Catholics will still leave mass right after communion and the Packers will play.

Does it matter if Brett won't be under center? Will you like the team any less? Will you be less happy with a victory? Will you be more disappointed with a loss?

No.

So stop crying in your Miller Lite and on your cheesy grillwurst. For seven years, you've been getting jacked around with the "will I or won't I retire" rhetoric. Hit your knees and thank God it's over. You knew it was coming. The man wasn't going to play forever. Anyone who lets this bother them for more than a day or so has their priorities out of whack.

Stop worshipping the tundra he walks on. He's a quarterback -- a great one -- but, still, just a quarterback. He has taken his ball and gone home. We all need to let him go.