Is It Time To Accept "Favre The Player" Back Into The Fold?

Last night, Packer Nation was sent back in time to 2008, unleashing the anger and frustration with Brett Favre, despite Rodgers' apparent olive branch offered last night at the NFL Honors Awards Show. Do we have to accept Favre back?

Yes, Aaron Rodgers, rather unexpectedly, held out the olive branch for Packer Nation yesterday by standing in front of the entire NFL and anyone tuning in, playfully poking fun at the drama that unfolded five years ago. There wasn't a soul that watched the banter that didn't find a level of levity in both Favre's feigned praise of comeback players versus Rodgers' mock slam that retired players should just stay retired.

So, naturally, the door was then opened for Packer Nation to (surprise!) spend most of the NFL Honors show arguing over Brett Favre and whether or not they are willing to forgive him or not. Tired old debates were resurrected, many of them the same ones we've seen haunting Packer Internet forums and comment sections of blogs for years. Condemnations of his behavior, his willingness to abandon the fans that had supported him for so long, to "not care" about the team that had invested so much in him and show patience in his early, mistake-prone youth.

Oh, and of course, his mission to "stick it" to Ted Thompson, a quote that was attributed to him second-hand at the time, but confirmed in 2009 when he said, "Part of me coming back last year, I have to admit now, was sticking it to Ted.'

There are many who can't look past this, even five years later, even over a year after he retired, or even after Thompson, McCarthy, and Rodgers all won a Super Bowl the season after Favre's last, best chance ended in yet another choking interception.

And truly, I sympathize with those people, and understand where they are coming from. You're talking to a guy who developed a reputation years before 2008 as a huge Favre defender, deflecting the increasing attacks from a part of the fan base that was devoted to proving he was both a bad quarterback and a bad person. I've had to eat a lot of crow since those days over my defense of Favre's character, but I still stand behind Favre being the best chance the Packers had until Rodgers was truly ready to take over full-time. Like it or not, a young Rodgers was not going to have any career success playing behind Adrian Klemme and Wil Whittaker, much less the young trio of Colledge, Spitz, and Moll.

But this all happened in another decade, the memories of which some of us still cling to with the passion of our political convictions, willing to claim to never forgive Brett Favre unless (among other things) he makes a complete and contrite apology for everything he ever did to harm us as fans and the organization. I think it's time to move on, for everyone's sake.

Look, Favre demonstrated his douchewaffleness to no end in 2008, and there were certainly indications that he already was a bit of a jerk long before that. These were his actions and he needs to take accountability for them, and regardless, there will be consequences for them.

Many have drawn comparisons between the way Donald Driver left the team to the way Brett Favre left the team. Both players have a lot of commonalities, not the least of which is a sense of ownership the fans seem to have with them. Yes, Driver did have to look in the face of an almost sure contract offer from the Minnesota Vikings, search his soul, and decide that it was better to retire than to continue playing for a team that might affect his legacy.

But what bothered me was the fan response to the idea that Driver shouldn't have even been playing this year, and that he better retire instead of even thinking of continuing on. Words like, "He's just lucky he had a roster spot at all this year," and "He better retire instead of tarnishing his career like Favre did" kind of stuck in my craw. Since when do we have the right to even dream of dictating someone else's career path, as if our support is all the matters to them at that point?

Guys like Favre and Driver are looking at the end of the only career they've ever known. When most of us reach our mid-30's, our careers are just taking off, with years of toil invested in our youth finally blossoming. In the NFL, it's the nature of the beast, especially for the very best of the best, to desperately try to hang on for as long as they can, to milk out one more season before the cheering stops forever.

No, I never wanted Favre to go and be a Minnesota Viking. But in the end, he got what he wanted anyway, despite the jousting and parrying of Thompson and Murphy.  He didn't win a Super Bowl, but he got a couple of wins against the Packers. If that's what was most important to Favre, I'll trade that for the Lombardi Trophy any day. I'm sure, looking back, Favre would, too.

My point is that we seem to feel these players owe us something, that we have some sort of control over them. We don't. They're going to do what they are going to do, just like Ted Thompson has done as a general manager, just like Mike McCarthy has done as a coach. When they mess up, they will deal with the backlash. And when they do well, they get our accolades. But, in the end, its a business, and like anyone in any business, it usually comes down to doing what's best for yourself.

The fact, however, that Rodgers was willing to go along with the skit should be an indication of what reality really is for all parties involved, and that is no one wants this continued drama hanging over their heads anymore. Favre's cheering has stopped, and wants to belong to something again. Mark Murphy knows it isn't of any benefit to the Packers organization to have one of its legendary players continuing to be ostracized from the team and by its fan base. Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy no longer want to have that 2008 offseason looming over them, since they've long since vindicated themselves from it.

And Aaron Rodgers has stepped out of Favre's shadow, and is no longer asked about Favre every time he's interviewed. He's come into his own as an MVP or MVP candidate the past three seasons. Favre no longer has to define who Rodgers is or who he needs to be or not be.  My guess is that all parties involved are testing the waters in order to move on from the drama of nearly five seasons ago, and once they get the feeling that we're at least okay with it, they will pull the trigger.

The hardest battle for many of us is to separate Favre the Player from Favre the Man. The Man will likely never return to his past glory, and he has no one to really blame besides himself for that. But the successes of Favre the Player shouldn't be erased because of his actions off the field, nor should the fact that he proudly wore green and gold as he achieved them.

Paul Hornung's name adorns the Ring of Honor at Lambeau Field and his #5 is unofficially retired, yet he engaged in a Pete Rose-esque scandal that caused him to miss an entire season, suspended by the league for gambling on NFL games. No one holds that against the Golden Boy, a mere footnote in the history of his great and glorious career. He remains beloved by fans of that era who lived through the disappointment of his shame in 1963. The difference, of course, was his redemption.  He was apologetic and contrite immediately for his actions. Perhaps Rose should have studied a little history.

James Lofton was welcomed back to the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame and also has his number adorning the Ring of Honor at Lambeau Field, despite a history of sexual assault accusations that led directly to his trade to the Oakland Raiders. While his 1984 accusation of sexual assault never led to charges, Lofton did admit his exploits with a Milwaukee dancer was consensual...as did Eddie Lee Ivery (*shudder*). In 1986, he was charged with sexual assault in the stairwell of the Top Shelf nightclub in downtown Green Bay. While he was eventually found not guilty, the act still happened, despite being married to his wife and fan favorite, Beverly. These sins were brushed aside when it came time to honor Lofton as one of the greatest Packers to grace Lambeau Field.

Does this mean that, because Packer fans are apparently willing to forgive gambling and infidelity, that we must also forgive Brett Favre's selfishness? No, it doesn't. But those sins will wash away over time, just as Hornung's and Lofton's have, and we will be left with the body of a man's career on the field. It is that we choose to keep over the flaws of the man off the field.

There are some who will never forgive, and that is their right. But it is time to end the "if you support Brett Favre, you're not a true Packer fan" garbage. That might have been a viable talking point in 2008. And 2009. And 2010. But as Aaron Rodgers proved last night, that time has passed.  Favre walked out of a tunnel of flatscreens showing nothing but Packer highlights of both quarterbacks as they entered the stage together, if not exactly side-by-side. There were no Jet or Falcon highlights (not that there were any), nor any Viking highlights. Favre and Rodgers entered in a storm of Green and Gold.

There may be no level of contrition from Favre that will please every fan's anger with him. But at some point, the men involved are going to move on and welcome Favre The Player back into the fold. We can see then exactly how apologetic and proud Favre is to be a Packer again.

But for those that will continue to drag their feet and claim to never welcome him back, one day these immortal words will again be spoken:

"The train has left the station."

New train. New direction.

Better destination.

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C.D. Angeli is a longtime Packer fan (yes, long before Favre ever played a down for the Packers) and feature writer for CheeseheadTV. He is also the co-host of Cheesehead Radio and good cop at PackersTalk.com. Follow him on Twitter at @TundraVision.

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Comments (71)

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Richard Chang's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:15 pm

You know that chick at the party that refuses to drink the margarita you offer her, because once, in high school, she missed curfew holding back her friends hair while she puked up a bottle of tequila? Doesn't matter that its twenty years later & the tequila didn't make her sick, just that its a bad memory & she'll never forget the smell? So now she refuses to drink margaritas even though they're delicious. And you're like, are you a moron? Get over it. It was so long ago. That's what these Favre-haters are like.

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tundravision's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:17 pm

That long analogy was worth the read. :D And trust me, I know about long analogies...

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JohnRehor's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:25 pm

This is why Chang is awesome. Great analogy

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dullgeek's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:36 pm

"Boom!" goes the dynamite.

But even more than that, players do not "owe" anything to the team that made them famous. If that team lets them go, then they go. If they're not ready and want to continue to play, well that's how it goes.

#4 in purple was about the ugliest thing I've ever seen. But 2009 proved that he still had something in the tank. Who the heck are Packers fans to say he can't pursue that? I did not, and still do not understand the Favre haters. He wanted to play. That's his business and the business of whoever is willing to hire him. Period.

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VApackerfan's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:04 pm

That's just it. It's not about his desire to keep playing. If he feels he has more in the tank, then cool. It's his adamant attitude of wanting to "stick it to the Packers." His only desire to play within the NFC north and beat the Packers. The photos of his wife with the "ThanksTed" viking jersey. The whole sexting scandal. It was a culmination of things that Packer fans, and football fans began to see about Favre during his last years in the NFL. The good ol' boy mantra, the wrangler jean-esque portrayal of Favre quickly faded and people were seeing a different person. Someone who was obsessed with fame and being the center of attention. Someone who had his way the majority of his career in Green Bay could not handle the changing of the guard, which was his motive for getting back at the Packers. A big difference from how Montana left San Fran and was able to keep is legacy strong.

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Point Packer's picture

February 03, 2013 at 03:56 pm

That was a dumb analogy and Bert is still a douche.

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dullgeek's picture

February 04, 2013 at 12:58 pm

I appreciate that Favre behaved badly. But so what if he wants to "stick it to the Packers" and TT? He should want to prove them wrong in letting him go.

I agree that the sexting thing was bad. But apart from that, the rest of his behavior strikes me as that of someone who wants to win.

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Franklin Hillside's picture

February 05, 2013 at 10:12 am

Margaritas are delicious.

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A_Lerxst_in_Packerland's picture

February 05, 2013 at 09:14 pm

+1

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razor's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:17 pm

Wow - lots of words so let me be brief. Favre is an idiot. He doesn't deserve any further attention from Green Bay.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:45 pm

+1... No dumbass analogy needed.

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Mojo's picture

February 03, 2013 at 03:27 pm

Yup!

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VApackerfan's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:48 pm

Agreed. Packer fans that express their annoyance with Favre is a direct result based on his past actions and words. They were a slap in Packer nations face. Favre was our leader for so many years. He needs to be the one to reach out to the fan base, not us...period. That's what makes leaders leaders. Favre created the drama, it's his mess to clean up. Fans know that there will be a time we will accept his entry into the hall of fame, but sharing a cameo moment on stage with AR, that looked awkward in my opinion, is the tip of a pendulum swing....not more than that. We as fans should not be reaching out to a multi millionaire star who won our hearts years ago. The ball is in Favre's court. Sitting with the Vikings section during the ceremony was not a great start.

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James Deal's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:10 pm

Well put Razor. If he wants to make amends, sign a one-day contract and retire (no, REALLY retire) as a Packer. If he goes in the Hall of Fame in any jersey other than a green and gold one, it's over!

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jeremy tomasik's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:52 pm

james i like the thought of him retiring and entering the hall of fame as a GREEN BAY PACKER
GO PACK GO

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Evan's picture

February 03, 2013 at 03:25 pm

NFL players don't enter the HoF "as" any team. They just go in.

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Kathy Kramer's picture

February 03, 2013 at 01:27 pm

Well said, CD.

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jeremy tomasik's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:13 pm

love him or hate him favre did alot for our packers, and i beleave he helped mold a already good rodgers into the beast of a QB that he is today , the time has come , noone is perfect we all make bad choices now and then. forgiveness isn't just for the one being forgave but also to help the ones forgiving be a better person themselves,. it does not mean you have to forget his short comings , but remember all he did for our team. and if he isn't apoligetic for what he did so what thats not the point of making ammends , which to to better yourself not the other person (i know it sounds like a page from AA but it it true in all aspects of life) thank you . i will always have love for brett but am so glad that we have aaron driving our bus now.

<3 GO PACK GO <3
love my packers

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Mojo's picture

February 03, 2013 at 03:47 pm

One thing I HATE is when the Favre apoligists insist ARod benefited from Favre's tutelage. Favre could have given a crap about ARods development except to thwart it if possible. ARod has succeeded in spite of Favre.

The Packer - Favre reconciliation is going to happen. It's just a matter of when. But don't expect those of us recognize Favre as a complete douche near the end of his Packer career to do cartwheels. Nobody tries to stick it to my Packers and gets a free pass. Those episodes showed me his true character.

Favre will try to portray himself as a victim of heartless team bureaucrats, but the truth is he was the problem in need of a solution. They were acting in the best long-term interests in the Pack and I thank them for taking a bullet for that.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:32 am

Here-here.

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Lars's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:19 pm

Ahhh, so it's up to accept US to accept Favre. Pretty sure, it's Favre who's holding out C.D. ;)

Don't care if or when, if ever the diva comes back to Green Bay. HE turned his back on THE PACKERS...couldn't get out of town fast enough. Cancelled his Softball fundraiser immediately in 2008. Driver has that now.

Let's not once again rewrite history and make it about 'the fans' and pretend 'if only the fans would forgive all would be fine.' It's not in Favre's mind. It's always been about Brett L. Favre and his anger and resentment against the Packers organization for refusing to cater to his every whim.

Favre doesn't give a second thought to the fans. It's all about his hatred and intolerance of Ted Thompson. Until TT and MM are gone, especially TT, Favre will "hold out" on the ever-diminishing group lusting after some sort of reconciliation. Life goes on and the more time passes the fewer people will care about Brett Favre or the 1990's era. Everybody that is, except a few in the media and on the blogs has long-sinced moved-on, including the Favre family.

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tundravision's picture

February 03, 2013 at 02:34 pm

No, its not up to us to accept Favre, Lars.

The acceptance is up to you. Whether you accept it or not, the wheels are in motion for the Packers' organization and Favre to bring this to a close.

How you deal with it, what you choose to hang on to, is up to you completely. And I disagree that this will "hold out" until after TT and MM are gone, and always have held that it would be foolish for all parties involved to make it appear like there will be some eternal feud going on, fed by everyone.

I make no judgments about your fandom by hanging on to old grievances. Make no judgments of mine by wanting the Packer family back together.

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Cuphound's picture

February 03, 2013 at 05:04 pm

You guys can let bygones be bygones if you want to. I still think we should give the #4 shirt to our next competent kicker. Brent isn't worthy. I drink whiskey straight. It represents strong masculine values for me.You guys can chill on tequila and sour mix if you want to. Not sure why you'd want to, but it's your right.

GO PACK!

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PackerBacker's picture

February 05, 2013 at 02:01 pm

I guess that's the difference between you and me. I know that I'm a man and what I drink has no effect on that. I'll drink a fruity wine cooler with a pink umbrella in it if I want to. I don't have to prove my manliness with what I drink.
Just like with Favre. What he's done on the field makes him deserving of eventually being honored at Lambeau and eventually being entered into Canton and probably on the ring at Lambeau in a decade or so. He's a douche off the field, but he was one hell of a QB on the field and that's what lasts.
I can admit that while remaining a Packers fan just like I can dring a fruity drink and still feel like a man.

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wiazcat's picture

February 03, 2013 at 05:23 pm

I don't think no matter what is said or done by the Packers or Favre going forward that it will change fans point of Favre. Either you hate him or you don't. Neither Favre or orginzation handled the end of his career in GB well. I respect Favre for the player he was in GB. I do not respect Favre the person he is/was.

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MadMan's picture

February 03, 2013 at 05:23 pm

Nah. Not just NO. HELL NO.

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Bomdad's picture

February 03, 2013 at 07:07 pm

This article is trivial. Fans don't initiate things.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 03, 2013 at 10:12 pm

Didn't need to read the article. The answer is still no. And it will be no until TT is gone and ARod has retired with 3+ SB Rings.

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Philip's picture

February 03, 2013 at 10:42 pm

Is Favre getting his #retired? Is that the surprising thing AR was hinting at in his radio show on Tuesday?

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lebowski's picture

February 04, 2013 at 12:11 am

Wow, those are some all time shitty offensive linemen... Will Whitaker, Adrian Klemm, Tony Moll, ....guess I need to re-think my opinion of our current line.

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Kendra's picture

February 04, 2013 at 12:12 am

The logical side of me does think a reconciliation would be beneficial for all involved. And I'm okay with that happening. He has meant a lot to this team and a lot to my fandom of the team. The fact that I don't think very highly of his final years doesn't change that overall fact.

So I was kind of excited to get the leaks from the NFL Honors Show. I'm actually quite impressed with Rodgers because that olive branch was not something he needed to do since it really is between the executives and Favre more than it is between any one player and Favre. The symbolism of the two of them together, making fun of their past, was strogly positive.

But then they'd flash to Favre in the crowd surrounded by Vikings and....man does he make this hard.

I guess we'll see where it goes and see if he has cleaned up the digs.

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zeke's picture

February 04, 2013 at 12:14 am

I personally don't need or expect an apology from Favre. I just think he's an asshole. Great player, deserving of the hall of fame, etc. If he came out and said "sorry I acted like a douche when I left" would it matter to me? Probably not. Should he or anyone else care what I think? Not a bit.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:36 am

"The young thirst for justice. The old beg for mercy."

Skip the analogy, let's see how Farve and Rodgers compare to this truism to get a sense of their character. The old guy who was on top of the world, and got so drunk on himself that he blew chunks. But is now begging for mercy? I'm not sure that he is. The young guy being willing to step out on stage with Farve. His "non-answers" to questions about his relationhip with Farve over the years spoke volumes. AR's been a smart enough guy to let "justice" go when he's young.

Does Farve even realize that he needs to mend fences with the fans, and not just the organization? Seriously. For him it was all about "sticking it to Ted." Does he accept responsibility for the fact that in "sticking it to Ted" he hurt a lot of fans in the process? Skip whether they have the RIGHT to feel that way, many fans just do. What, if anything, is he willing to do about it? Or is he just playing nice as long as he has to in order to get his number up on the Ring?

And, objectively speaking, does his career really add up to a place on the ring? Don Hutson revolutionized the WR position. Reggie White, in the conversation as the best player at his position, ever. We used to think Farve was in that category, but most objective analyists do not have him in the top 5 anymore, and some do not have him in the top 10. How does he compare to the other guys on the ring? I'm not knowledgable enough to answer that question, but everyone should really be asking that question instead of just assuming that we MUST retire #4.

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subzeropr's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:35 am

The "Ring" at Lambeau is for HOFers... when he gets inducted, and he will, #4 will be on the "Ring". His number will be retired because TT said so... its a matter of time... unless TT gets fired and they bring an anti-Favre GM...

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:06 am

Not all Packers HOFers on on the ring.

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tundravision's picture

February 04, 2013 at 05:00 pm

The "Ring of Honor", as it is informally called, is the series of names written around the facade of the stadium. All of the names, save Ron Wolf, are all the Packers who have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:41 pm

Yes, but there are Packers in the Hall of Fame who are not on the ring. Getting into the NFL Hall of Fame does not mean your name will be on the ring. Two separate things.

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dawg's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:05 pm

#4 is not one of them!

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subzeropr's picture

February 05, 2013 at 09:27 am

From http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/GreenBayPackers/newindex.htm

Banners/Retired Numbers
On the façade of the suites ringing the playing field is where you can see the history of this proud franchise. The seasons of the Packers 12 NFL Championships are here, and on their ring of honor are a total of 20 members of the Packers organization who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But the best of the best are reserved for the stadium's south end zone - the Packers four retired numbers #3 Tony Canadeo, #14 Don Hutson, #15 Bart Starr and #66 Ray Nitschke are displayed here.

Wolf is not in the HOF but is up there although not in the same place as the players...

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redlights's picture

February 04, 2013 at 10:32 am

2 hundred-whatever straight games started, puts him on the ring in my book.

Whatever you think of him, that is one hell of a streak.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:14 am

Good argument.

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Cjames's picture

February 05, 2013 at 01:12 pm

I don't know if many of the people piling it onto Favre remember the days between SB win 2 and SB win 3. There were some good years there, and some good players, but most years were a disappointment. Favre gave us a chance at greatness again, and inspired a team to win. Since then we have been a consistently strong team, even in years when we weren't the best in the division. We have more winning seasons than losing seasons since his first start. He has set numerous records (not all of them positive - interceptions for instance), and has been an extremely important player in the franchises' history.

I agree his attitude at the end was less than spectacular, but no player wants to end the game before it's time. He thought he could play longer, and he showed us he could too. I am not privvy to all the details of those last years, but I am sure there were mistakes on both sides, and hopefully we will eventually get over it. I mean if most people can get over what happened with James Lofton, we should easily get over this.

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subzeropr's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:32 am

The day Favre apologizes to the fans is the day that Packers fans apologize to Rodgers... Still remember how in training camp there were thousandths of fans with "Bring back Brett" all over the place. I wonder how Rodgers felt that summer... Did he ask for an apology? Nope! We should not be expecting an apology from Favre because its not going to happen. He will come back, some will cheer, others won't... and life will go on...

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:15 am

Amazingly enough, it's a lot easier for one person to engage in acts of contrition than for a % of X million people to do so.

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Bugeater's picture

February 04, 2013 at 10:17 am

The best thing Favre did for himself this year was keep his mouth shut. A lot of that has to do with him not being a news story anymore, but I know my dislike for him has softened this year. I think its mostly just because he didn't insert his foot in mouth lately. I also give him some credit for how he handled the whole thing with the Saints bounty on him - He clearly had every right to call them out on it and never has.

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Rocky70's picture

February 04, 2013 at 10:19 am

Did I read the blog. Of course not. It's the same 'ol, same 'ol.

The author is obsessed with Favre.

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madmanJack's picture

February 05, 2013 at 09:05 am

+1

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Pack66's picture

February 04, 2013 at 10:22 am

You douchebags will never forgive Favre..because you are "self-righteous, holier-than-thou" ingrates...and well, douchebags..

Do you think that the 49ers fans harbor such vitriol and hate toward Joe Montana?

You people are so small minded and need to look at yourselves...it's pathetic.

Honey Favre don't need you...He don't give two shits about you....

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:21 am

I've stuck up for Farve here on occassion. I thought the article last year comparing his interception numbers and Rodgers' at the same stage of their career was an eye opener. I've argued that to my eye Farve (in his prime) threw a better ball into a smaller window of the end zone than Rodgers, though many here disagree with my recollection. But there is no valid comparison between Joe Montana and Brett Farve when it comes to how they conducted themselves at the end of their careers. None.

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SHODAN's picture

February 04, 2013 at 06:03 pm

It doesn't hurt that Montana is friggin' +3 over Favre in the Super Bowl column, I'm sure.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:49 pm

A) Montana never retired. Farve waffled around in 2008 like a politician.

B) Montana got traded from an NFC team to an AFC team with a chance to contend and made the most of it. Farve got traded from an NFC to an AFC team with a chance to contend and he pissed everyone off there.

C) Montana stayed in KC and made the best of it and retired there. Farve engineered a "retirement" and went back to his old division to "stick it" to his old team - his words, not mine.

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dawg's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:06 pm

Diva Queen!

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bryce's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:45 am

I'd take him back with or without an apology to the fans, mostly because I don't think one will ever come. He's not really the apologizing type. I would think a whole lot more of him if he did apologize though.

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Deborah's picture

February 04, 2013 at 02:22 pm

I think the anger towards Favre is based on the fact that, towards the end of his career, we expected him to be the next Bart Starr after his retirement, and he so emphatically declined the position. That felt like rejection, because it was. I agree with CD that he didn't owe us any such thing, so in that sense we should get over it. At the same time, it's not something he gets to change his mind about; we'll be civil to him when his number is retired and such, but the relationship will never be special. Of course it is pointless and silly now to indulge in Favre hatred; indifference is the more appropriate emotion.

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DC's picture

February 04, 2013 at 04:31 pm

the article is correct - no professional athlete owes any fan anything. Same for Favre. But if he truly wants to re-claim a relationship with the team and fans again, he can't just do nothing. He has to make some move, and not just say here I am Packers fans, love me again. I think the majority of Packers fans are looking for that something from Favre.

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tundravision's picture

February 04, 2013 at 05:08 pm

What's interesting is that everyone seems to have different levels of contrition that they would demand in order to accept Favre back. For some, none is needed. For others, he would need to apologize and show some contrition, claiming the Packers were the best organization he was blessed to be a part of. Others go further, expecting at least personalized apologies to Ted Thompson, Aaron Rodgers, and notable others. And still others say there is nothing he could ever do, no level of apology, no heights of contrition, that would ever allow Favre back into their hearts.

Whole point of the article was that we, the fans, are the the Godfather deciding what offers will be good enough for us to allow Favre back.

Puh-lease. Our opinions matter just as much now as they did in 2008, and guess how much our feelings and emotions controlled what was going on? Nothing. At. All.

You really think Favre, Thompson, and Rodgers are all sitting, waiting for us to return for the mountain with our requirement for us to be "okay" with what they decide?

Like it or not, its going to happen, sooner or later, no matter how much you want it to happen or how much you threaten you'll never accept it.

Rodgers actions means that a lot of people in a lot of camps agreed to be a part of it, including the Packers' organization. It means its going to happen sooner than any of us might have expected.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:51 pm

The Packers want him back because it is good for the franchise, meaning it is good for PR and good for business. I don't think you can just say the fans don't matter.

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tundravision's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:14 pm

The fans don't matter? Not sure that was the message I was trying to get across.

But you are very right in that bringing Favre back is a business decision. I think the most interesting part of it is having Rodgers be the initial "face" of reaching across the chasm, at least in a public/political sense.

I don't think there's a person who was more wronged by the situation, nor a person who received more unrivaled support from the fans and the organization in the face of the storm. Rodgers is perhaps the only person who could look at the entire fan base and say, "Hey...it's done. We're cool." and have the fan base actually pay attention.

Seriously, though...do I want to see this happen? I think so. Is it because I'm some huge Favre fan and want to see him a Packer again? No. It has a lot more with seeing one of the most divisive and personally difficult times for myself and all of Packer Nation come to a conclusion. Am I ticked at Favre (and the organization) for the decisions they made that put me/us there? Absolutely.

But I'm tired of it. Seriously. You can see the folks right in this comment thread who don't bother to read an article and keep reliving the talking points of 2008. I could easily do the same, but my article isn't about 2008, it's about 2013 and beyond.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 05, 2013 at 09:46 am

Agreed. For the Packers/TT/MM this is about bringing back the portion of the fan base who are still bittely pro-Farve. This is about healing the family. I'm ready to move on too, but I do think Farve has to do his part by reaching out to the portion of the fan base that is bitterly anti-Farve.

I also think the ROH thing should be looked at objectively. I don't think it should just be a given, but TT is calling it a done deal. I get it, but the ROH thing is about the history of the franchise. I'd just like to understand that honor better. Not trying to be a hater, just asking the question of how Farve stacks up as a player against a group of guys from the last 75+ years.

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madmanJack's picture

February 05, 2013 at 09:14 am

he would need to polish Donald Drivers dancing shoes for me to welcome him back.

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Lou's picture

February 04, 2013 at 05:26 pm

Just hear Bill Micheal's the "Big Unit" formally of WTMJ and now on his own on this matter, when Favre was waffling about playing or not playing he was the guy ESPN put on as the "local authority" to talk with. He said today that a mutual friend prior to this season tried to get a meeting with Favre and Murphy to try to pave the way for retiring his number and welcoming him back and Favre said NO. Micheal's also said several charity groups affiliated with the Packers asked him to assist them and he again said NO.

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redlights's picture

February 04, 2013 at 06:00 pm

I would take that to be BF keeping his mouth shut. Let's face it; some are looking for a reason to pile on. He obviously is as good at putting his foot in his mouth as Finley, so he may have been avoiding the opportunity.

BF is egotisitical. He wants his name in the ring, so he'll do things to make it happen. We all should just give it some time.

This is a BF article, it HAS to get 100 replies. Come on people!

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will's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:26 pm

Love Arodg 100% but Favre is a boss and casts a large shadow. Arodg has BIG shows to fill.

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dawg's picture

February 04, 2013 at 09:14 pm

#4 can't carry A-rods jock as a PACKER, let alone as a person

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Ruppert's picture

February 04, 2013 at 07:37 pm

I kind of enjoyed seeing Favre on TV yesterday. Why? Because he's had enough sense to shut up and lay low for a while.

As time goes by, I'm slowly getting less and less irritated with him. The whole "Favre Saga" is slowly turning from extreme annoyance to Packers fans into "another classic chapter in the history of the NFL's most storied franchise." If he just shuts up for a couple more years, I'll probably be fine with the whole thing.

And this sounds stupid, but that never stopped me before: I really wish he would have taken the somewhat cheesy yet symbolic step of taking out a full page ad in the Press-Gazette and/or the Journal Sentinel thanking his fans. I mean, if Aaron Kampman and Al Harris could do it, so could Brett.

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Lucky953's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:23 pm

That's the point. He feels he is "too big" to do that. Without fans, he's playing in a semi-pro league for $100 and love of the game. Without Ron Wolf, Mike holmgren and BF, I am still a Green Bay Packers fan. Shut up and ride your lawn tractor into the sunset MF.

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Bruce Kennett's picture

February 04, 2013 at 11:33 pm

CD Angeli... Excellent article... you hit the nail right on the head!!!... You are a true Packer fan!... Go Pack!!! (from PAPackerFan)

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Denver's picture

February 05, 2013 at 12:39 pm

Reading CD's article is like #4's career to me. Both just don't know when to stop.
More isn't always better, in football careers or writing, IMO.

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tundravision's picture

February 05, 2013 at 07:28 pm

I'd be happy to offer you a "Cliff's Notes" version, if that would make you happy.

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Denver's picture

February 06, 2013 at 09:57 am

No problem, CD, just sayin' I think you could do just as well with less.
But I'm not a English professor so I'll shut up now.

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razor's picture

February 07, 2013 at 10:46 pm

One word - NEVER.

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