I can see both sides. I agree when it is overdone it is stupid. The Bears can't issue unique numbers in training camp they have so many retired. Then comes the question is it retired or not? #18 was retired by the Broncos but Peyton wanted it and now it is unretired. When Peyton goes what happens? If you retire it again it looks like you retired it for him.
I was as big a Reggie White fan as there was, but I don't know how I feel about retiring his number. Sure he was instrumental in that Super Bowl run, but lots of players were.
Retire Favre's number? Again I was his biggest supporter when he was here. If he had retired ONCE, gracefully, I might feel differently. But I'd rather treat it like Hornungs number, just keep it in reserve.
If jersey retirement is reserved for special first ballot HOF players who played their entire career with the team AND stood out in other ways, it is kinda cool. Since LBs can't wear #66 now anyway, I'm cool with hanging that Jersey on the wall rather than issuing it to an O-lineman.
On the other hand, wouldn't it be cool 25 years from now to have a promising young starting QB throwing the lights out wearing #4, or #15... You could turn to your grandkids and tell them "that was Favre's/Starr's old number!" Or how cool would it be to have a dominant DE ringing up sacks again wearing #92. I think it would be awesome!