One thing I like to see is professional athletes giving back to the community.

There is nothing better than seeing or reading about an athlete who took time out of a busy schedule to help someone in need.

Athletes who give back to the community make me put aside the fact they’re on a particular team. It even makes me forget that they may play for a team I dislike.

One athlete in particular is Brett Favre. Even as a Bears fan, I can honestly say that I don’t want to see him leave the NFL. All for the simple fact that he seems like the most down-to-earth, caring athlete out there and more of them are needed in the league.

Favre has touched many children’s lives in Wisconsin and Mississippi with the Brett Favre Forward Foundation, which he founded in 1995. The foundation provides aid to disadvantaged and disabled children through three events: a celebrity golf tournament, a softball tournament and a steak dinner.

The foundation also works with other organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In December 2007, a story was published in Sports Illustrated naming Favre athlete of the year. In the “Point After” section, Peter King wrote about a particular occurence following Super Bowl XXXII.

The Friday before the big game, Favre met a 9-year-old girl named Brooke. After talking with the Super Bowl quarterback, Brooke gave Favre a lucky penny and told him to keep it.

Favre could have just taken the penny and tossed it, but he kept it in his sock. When Brooke found out that he actually kept the penny, she said it really made her feel good inside. That just shows how much he cares.

Former collegiate athletes also contribute. After the Feb. 14 shootings, members from the 1983 NIU football team returned to campus to pass out cookies. That small act was their way of giving back to their former school and it probably made someone’s day better.

On-field accomplishments do not make as much an impact as off-field contributions. It does not matter how many records Favre – or any other athlete – has broken. It’s all about how they give back to the people who support them