Brett Favre

I guess I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the "shocking" admission from Brett Favre that he came back last season mostly to "stick it to Ted".

Of course, this isn't exactly news (though you'd have a hard time telling that to the 900 plus commenters on the JS Packer blog post on the subject) but it is significant in that it truly seems to be the first time throughout the entire retirement, un-retirement, re-retirement process that Favre has been one hundred percent candid. That's just my impression of course, but it's the first thing to come out of his mouth in a year and a half that hasn't caused me to second guess his intention in uttering it. I still would not be shocked if he had a change of heart and I look forward to the breaking news on ESPN in late April that says Favre is once again working with a personal trainer "just to stay in shape..." with a quote from Favre saying "It's all rumor".

I kid because I love. And that's what I don't think a lot of Favre fans understand about my admittedly harsh treatment of Favre over the course of this entire ordeal. People see me posting about how much I can't stand Favre's words and deeds and assume I've "turned" on Favre. Nothing could be further from the truth. Outside of my family and close friends, Brett Favre has meant more to me over the course of the past 18 years than anyone imaginable. I have watched him grow up, in a sense. I was there at the Philing Station on Tuesday nights in Appleton (where he was hilarious) during his first few years on the team, where he would hang with Mark Chumura and Frankie Winters. I sold the man a polo shirt at the Ralph Lauren outlet store in Appleton, before it moved to Oshkosh. (Where he was a total jerk) I knew (as did many more people than Favre may care to admit) someone he met while with Deanna. In other words - I've seen some of his faults close up. 

Through all of this, of course, were the games and his brilliance on the field. I'll never forget the joy he brought to millions of people while the Packers were ascending from the depths of the NFL, culminating in that glorious day in New Orleans. As things moved on and the teams talent level started to deteriorate, Favre was the one constant, shining star. He played every damn game. EVERY GAME. And through all of it, I watched him overcome a million different things. I saw him dedicate himself to his family, which I admit served as inspiration to me when I was starting my own. He was an inspiration, a true, honest to God hero that you could say - look at all he's gone through. I have trials and tribulations in my life, but damn, this man has a thousand times more and is still improving, still growing. If he can do it, so can I.

And that's what people lose track of sometimes - how personal Packer fans relationship with Favre truly is. And as we all know - relationships, real ones that last a lifetime, are complicated. I have no doubt the Packers will retire his number and I have no doubt that once Favre allows himself to truly walk away from the game and gains a better perspective on the events of the last year and a half, he'll have a better understanding of why Thompson did what he did.  Favre is one of the greatest Packers ever. (Not the greatest - I could never bestow that title with the likes of Bart Starr, Paul Hornung and Curly Lambeau, who a lot of people forget played before he coached, in the mix) I have nothing but the utmost respect for him as a player and, more importantly, as a person. And he will always be a Green Bay Packer.

 

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Comments (14)

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Ryeguy812's picture

February 17, 2009 at 04:36 pm

Time away from football may be good for Brett but it will also be good for fans. It'll help them put things in perspective. I have no doubt Favre's legacy will be restored to its rightful place. Much like Bart Starr's disastrous coaching tenure, Brett's time with the Jets will be something that's shrugged off and let go by most all Pack fans.

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ricgrish's picture

February 17, 2009 at 04:44 pm

The TT thing was nothen more than motivational. I believe he really did want to play. I'm 49 yrs old and still cant put the basketball away.

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Holly's picture

February 17, 2009 at 05:42 pm

Great commentary, Aaron. That's one of the things that a lot of my friends who watch football don't get -- the fact that he was such a big part of my life growing up makes me that much more disappointed in him for the way he has acted. If I cared less, I wouldn't be as angry or frustrated.

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Ron La Canne's picture

February 17, 2009 at 09:27 pm

Brett Favre was a great player for the GB Packers. Brett Favre was not the GB Packers. I'm affraid that was a concept he had difficulty with.

His retirement this time is final. If you watched the last 5 games of 2008 it was obvious his throwing arm was non-functional. Jets doctors recommended surgery and he refused. An injury to the biceps muscle will not fully recover on its' own. The pain might go away but as soon as he starts throwing he'll know it's over.

Now all he has to do is get over his vindictiveness. TT may be an a$$hole, but he was right about Favre. Favre has made it clear he's been PO'd since TT drafted Rodgers. Someone should have told him he's not on the draft day team. If TT had addressed him at that time it could have been a different ending. But, like everyone before him no one would deal with Brett.

I hope this feud ends soon. I'm afraid, however, that it won't. Favre just can't let it go. Too Bad!

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packsmack's picture

February 17, 2009 at 09:27 pm

Amen. Well said.

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Jeremy's picture

February 17, 2009 at 10:15 pm

As always, well said, Aaron. You always seem to put things in a good perspective. I share many of the same sentiments.

It's a shame Favre's career had to end the way it did, not only the divorce in Green Bay, but just how he played down the stretch in New York. I know some fans will never be able to get over the fact that he ended his career elsewhere and had a less than desirable departure from the Packers, but in the end, really, how can you not love Brett for everything he's done for us?

I just hope that the day we retire his number for good, all the fans can move past everything, cheer for him at Lambeau and cry as he waves to the crowd. I know I will.

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WoodyG's picture

February 18, 2009 at 12:52 am

I'm rubbing my two fingers together. What am I doing? I'm playing the world's smallest violin.

Dishonest, deceptive, vindictive, self-centered, drama king. If your neighbor had these traits you would have nothing to do with that neighbor or maybe even move to get away from that type of person.

However, many still want to give BF a free pass. An apology & an admission of wrong doing on his part will get the ball rolling. Will he? Don't hold your breath.

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foundinidaho's picture

February 18, 2009 at 08:50 am

I wrote something similar (though you wrote it better). I never thought Brett was perfect, but I loved him anyway. I don't call that giving him a "free pass". That means, as Aaron said, that he was important to me in a certain way and you forgive people like that a lot. You also recognize the positives they have, especially as they mature a bit.

We are close to the same age and have gone through a lot of the same ups and downs personally. I loved watching him play and I was glad to see him play so well this year before the injury.

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backthepack4's picture

February 18, 2009 at 10:04 am

Ron said "Favre has made it clear he’s been PO’d since TT drafted Rodgers". Did I miss an interview - when did Favre say this? I've listened to every interview through this ordeal, and while Favre has acted human - I don't get "Dishonest, deceptive, vindictive, self-centered, drama king". He's got a big ego (who wouldn't), and he was hurt. He wanted to play football for the Packers. Thompson didn't want him to play - for the Packers or anyone else. That's why he acted the way he did - Ted Thompson wanted to ban him from the sport he loved. He didn't do steroids, beat his wife, fight dogs, or worse - he changed his mind about retirement. I hope he comes back soon to have his number retired - I'll be first in line for tickets!

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Mr.Man's picture

February 18, 2009 at 10:45 am

I still go with Don Hutson as the greatest Packer of all time.

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PackerAaron's picture

February 18, 2009 at 10:47 am

Nice call Mr. Man - can't believe I didn't include him on my list. Again, not sure about "the greatest" but Hutson has to at least be in the conversation.

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Packnic's picture

February 18, 2009 at 11:14 am

agreed Hutson has to be in the list.

But I'm going with Curly as the greatest all time Packer. Not only was he a great player and coach(6 Championships), without this guy there are no Sundays in Green Bay. A guy who founded, coached and played for the team, really doesn't he have to be the greatest all time Packer?

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Ron La Canne's picture

February 18, 2009 at 01:02 pm

4,
An interview with Favre's buddie Al Jones on WSSP Milwaukee brought that little tid bit into the open. And we all know that Jones is Favre's official voice. He says so!

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backthepack4's picture

February 18, 2009 at 01:24 pm

Ron - thanks for the response. I hadn't heard that one, but I'll take your word for it. I did a quick search on Al Jones, Favre and Rodgers - and this story came up from last April. Sure seems like something major happened over the following months to change his attitude...
"Retired quarterback Brett Favre tells his longtime friend Al Jones that filling in for an injured Aaron Rodgers would be tempting if the Green Bay Packers came calling.
Favre says a scenario like that would be hard to pass up, but he also says he's enjoying retirement."

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