After holding a press conference at his home in Orlando on Friday, Shaq celebrated the beginning of life-after-basketball by attending a Taylor Swift concert with his common-law wife, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander.  The two appeared to be having a great time and Shaq even took a moment to record himself and Hoopz enjoying the show.

I feel bad for whoever had to sit behind that seven-foot giant.

Hat Tip – [TheScore]

So what will we call him now, you ask?  How about “The Big A.A.R.P.,” which stands for the Association for the Advancement of Retired People.

Shaq took the opportunity to thank everyone he could think of, including his family, friends, fans and former coaches.  He even threw in a special thanks to the members of the media that he has had plenty of fun with over the years.  Shaq was always a joy to be around (unless your name is Kobe Bryant), and his presence on the court will be missed, but I doubt it will be long before we are enjoying his presence in front of the camera as a broadcaster.  In fact, he is already entertaining job offers.

Here is a look at his classy, yet humorous, retirement speech.

First there was that embarrassing spelling mistake on his cake at Capitol Hill.  And now this.

What better way to celebrate Cox’s retirement than by taking a trip through this five mile corn field maze created by Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, GA.  And if that wasn’t enough to tickle your fancy, they also offer hay rides, pumpkin patches, miniature pig racing, a barnyard animal petting zoo, pictures with the corn cannon, and cow train rides.

With all of these activities to offer, it is not hard to imagine where Bobby will be spending all that free time.  Although at 69 years of age, something tells me he may very well be spending most of it trying to get through that six-acre maze.

Hat Tip – [Big League Stew]

While some have been busy preparing for the return of No.4 in their own unusual ways, Sports Illustrated has decided to take thier own spin on the situation; A Brett Favre boycott.

The upcoming issue of the popular sports magazine will feature the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, on the cover (minus his new Ferrari California), but it will not mention anything regarding the comeback of Brett Favre.  That’s right!  SI stated the following on their decision to exclude the former-Packer-turned-Viking:

“Had your fill of Brett Favre? If so, SI offers an escape, promising zero mention of the Hall of Famer on the pages of this week’s 100% Favre-Free issue.”

On ther cover there also appears to be a “100% Favre Free” logo.

How refreshing, but if you are going to give us a Favre-free issue, shouldn’t you consider leaving his name off the cover of the magazine?

Hat Tip – [Sports Media Watch]

Reports from ESPN are stating that pending a physical, the former Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets quarterback is expected to sign a $10-$12 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.  Coach Brad Childress confirmed that Favre was visiting Minnesota to meet with the team and when asked whether they would sign the 39-year-old, he replied “In a perect world.”  It looks like things are about to get perfect for Childress and the Vikings.

Favre likely delayed this process in an effort to skip through training camp, something that has not intrigued the veteran quarterback throughout the latter part of his career.  Although his antics may have some questioning his loyalties to the team and the game, you can expect the Vikings’ players and fans to be pleased with the news that they will finally have worthy play-caller under center.

This move will also have great implications for fantasy football owners as Favre will make his way up the quarterback rankings list, and will also help push the likes of Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and rookie Percy Harvin up the wide receiver charts.  The Vikings have been known for their strong defense and running game, and they may finally have the quarterback needed to manufacture something through the air.

And with all that money coming his way, it looks like Favre may not need to sell his Ford F-150 after all.

Sakic was just one year away from the possibility of leading his home country into the 2010 Olympic Games, which are to be played in Vancouver, just a few kilometers from Burnaby, where he was born.  Unfortunately, his body and physical strength were just not fit to go, forcing the long-time Colorado Avalanche captain to hang up his skates at the age of 40.

“Burnaby Joe”, which many liked to call him, spoke yesterday to the media at the conference stating the following about his decision:

“I thought this was going to be a lot easier.  You know there comes a time when every athlete … has to decide when it’s time to move on.

“I couldn’t sleep (Wednesday) night.  I was nervous about falling apart during my speech. (But) it feels good. I know I’m going to miss the game, but I’m at the point where I’m very comfortable with my decision. I’m ready to move onto the next chapter in my life.” [NHL.com]

Sakic now moves on, but not before making his mark on the NHL as one of the more decorated players to have ever played the game.

Drafted in the first round (15th overall) by what was then the Quebec Nordiques, Sakic began his career with the club in 1988-89 and has since won two Stanley Cups (1996 and 2001), Hart, Lady Byng and Lester B. Pearson Trophies in 2001, and the Conn Smythe Trophy in ’96.  He also led Team Canada to Olympic Gold in 2002 at Salt Lake City, earning the tournament MVP as well.

His final career stats put him among the top in most categories.  He finished with 1641 points (8th all-time), 625 goals (14th all-time), 1016 assists (11th all-time), 84 playoff goals (7th), 19 game-winning playoff goals (3rd), 13 Career All-Star games, six 100+ point seasons, 16 consecutive seasons as captain of the Avs, and an astounding 8 career playoff overtime goals, which ranks him first all-time.

These are all remarkable achievements, but one accomplishment that Sakic seems to be unable to escape is his victory in a fight over another great, Doug Gilmour.  The clip of the two fighting made its way onto Sakic’s tribute video that was played at the press conference yesterday.  When asked afterwards whether Gilmour ever stood a chance, Sakic replied by stating that he wished the clip had never made it onto the highlight package.

That is just one example of the class act the Sakic was throughout his career.  Any player in the league will tell you the same thing.  This guy could lead a pack of blind men out of a giant blizzard.  He was that great as a player and a captain.  His respect extended beyond the arena, as he was also looked at as a great family man.  He will now have time to spend with his wife, Debbie, and their three children, after they supported him throughout his great career.

Good luck Joe in the hockey after-life.  You may be gone from the game, but your legacy will remain forever.

Here is the highlight package put together for his press conference.

And here is a clip of his fight with Gilmour.  What great commentary.

Favre had instructed his agent, James “Bus” Cook, to inform the Jets on Wednesday that he is retiring. The Jets confirmed the retirement in a statement, then discussed it with the media in a conference call.

Favre was expected to speak to the media in a conference call at 6 p.m. ET. Reported ESPN.com

Hmmmmm, I give Favre till training camp to change his mind and decide that he wants to play again. Possibly for another team that he thinks may be a Super Bowl contender.  Brett has to give it up he’s had such an illustrious career if he says he’s gonna retire then he should stick with it.

At the end of every football season we don’t want to hear this same story that Brett Favre is considering retirement. He retires, and then makes this comeback because he says he still has the drive to play.  We think that if he thinks he can still play then do so and stop making this huge show over your retirement.  It’s getting old!!!!