Jul 16, 2008
Come on Brett…seriously.
You know what? check that. Let me add this disclaimer. I like Brett Favre. A lot actually. He is a legendary QB, who has earned the respect of everyone he’s played against.
That being said…he’s being a little more than difficult.
In today’s interview with Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, Favre was quoted as saying that he’s only guilty of retiring too early. From ESPN,
“I am guilty of retiring early and there is a reason for that,” Favre said, according to an excerpt provided to The Associated Press before the Monday night broadcast. “And the major issue is ‘Why did he retire?,’ and ‘He asked for a release because he doesn’t want to play in Green Bay.’ That’s not true. And I hope people are hearing this and saying ‘OK, that clears it up.’ “
Retiring too early…That’d actually be believable if the Packers and sports fans everywhere didn’t go through the same thing every year. You know what else makes the whole “they forced me out” story so hard to believe? Favre already knew, in 2006, that the Packers couldn’t wait around for him to make a decision regarding his future,
In the interview at his home in Mississippi, Favre told Mortensen he would like more time to decide whether to return for another NFL season. But he understands the Packers need to know soon to properly prepare for the NFL draft and other offseason personnel matters.
“I’d like to wait till training camp,” Favre said with a laugh. “But I know I have to make the decision in the next month for their sake.”
Favre said he’s told Packers general manager Ted Thompson recently that if the team doesn’t want to wait for him to commit to either playing the 2006 season or retiring, then he should be “cut loose.”
So, to recap, the 2006 version of Brett Favre knew he had to make quick decisions regarding his future so as not to screw the Packers. The 2008 version feels he was pressured to make a decision and was forced into retirement. Maybe Favre is losing his memory in his old age?
This whole situation has really created a no-win situation for the Packers management, who couldn’t wait around on Favre…like they have for the last 2 years, and who will now be despised by some Packers fans for not bringing Favre back to Green Bay. I’ve failed to even mention the team itself, which will probably consist of players that are backing Favre, and those that see his his “diva-ish” attitude as completely unwarranted and unwanted.
Could Brett Favre honestly not see this situation when he retired in March? That he may want to come back, that the Packers may not want him to come back, and that the fans he has played for for the last 16 seasons might go “60′s Sit-In” if the Packers didn’t want to bring him back?
And finally…I know that Favre has played for forever, I know he’s the heart and soul of Green Bay…but why in the world would the Packers grant him an unconditional release? Who, with any sort of business sense, would release a hall of fame QB who still has 3 years left on his contract…and is more than likely going to a division rival? Does that make sense to anyone not named Brett Favre?
In the end, it really comes down to disrespecting the Packers and their management. He already knew that they had a decision to make and couldn’t wait around for Favre to make up his mind…so he chose to retire, but then changed his mind after already knowing the Packers had no choice but to move on without him (i.e. the Draft). Then, because he’s Brett Favre, I guess, he feels that he’s owed an unconditional release, taking the time to create a divide between the Packers and some of their fans in the process. All because it takes him too long (every year) to decide whether or not he wants to play football.
Favre is known for his gunslinger mentality on the field; throwing the ball with reckless abandon into tight spots, and usually having no regrets about his decisions later.
When dealing with his career? Looks like he only got the first half right.
So…can anyone figure out how this adds to the Madden Curse Legacy?
ESPN: Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere
7 comments
Good Blog, I could add a whole lot more but it was worth reading…I did get a kick out of the Greta Pole…all during the pole it never budged away from eighty one percent once…of course in favor of Brett
Favre…I just thought it laughable…I guess she was helping Deanna get her moneys’ worth for allowing Gretta get the exclusive interview…Hey Gretta, do you think we are that gullable…I got a bridge to sell ya in Appleton…did you know a wisconsin state wide poll was in favor of Aaron Rodgers starting by sixty four percent
Man Favre should just leave it alone, and stay retired. I loved watching him play, but with this poorly written made for TV movie that we are all witness to now.. I could care less if he plays another down in the NFL. I think the Packers shoud go ahead and stick to the plan of Rodgers starting this season.
Great post. Even the Packer fans appear to mostly be blushing with shame at how their legendary leader has humiliated himself and the franchise. I don’t know if his ego has grown so much from seeing his “power” in teasing team, teammates, reporters and fans alike all twist in the wind each off-season while he goes all wishy-washy as to his intent to grace us with another season or not, but the man has some serious psychological issues to work through and I’m not sure anyone wants him in their locker room now. Remember, he’s the one quoted as saying he was not going to help anyone else learn the job of quarterback. Now, we can see clearly the man who made those comments and what he’s really all about. Himself.
I live in Detroit so Brett Farve is not one of my most favorite guys however I can give him is due respect for being a legend.
In this whole mess I look at this as a buisness owner, what buisnessman in their right mind would let an asset go and play for another team in their own division. Would Burger King let the McDonalds across the street use their Coke Machine. No freakin way.
Brett needs to just go away and wait the five years to get his hideous gold blazer when he gets into the hall of fame
the bucs should just give in and give a conditional 1st rounder if he is the starter and they make the playoffs. if not then they just get a 3rd or 4th. then trade jeff garcia who did make the pro bowl last year, for a #1 receiver to complement joey galloway. the redskins despritly need a qb and they have randle el and santana moss. get it done already and stop stalling green bay
Just a lil FYI for all u Farve haters now. Brett did so much for the Packers on the field and off.meaning he gave up alot of money so that they could hire better so called players to contribute. How many other players can claim that? Anyone ? I`m not a big fan of his but u have to give it to the guy for making ALOT of money for alot of people while giving alot of his own to make it so.If he wanted out then they should have let him go. He made proir attempts to make it happen but the team itself didnt want to let him go. He has a right to go out and play for who ever he wants. Just sit back and enjoy him either winning or losing. Its football not ping pong season.
Favre did a lot for the Packers but when he retired he retired. Attacking the team and trying to hurt the fans year after year(and lying to the Jets and faxing medical records the very next day to the Vikes ) did it for me.
To this day he refuses to recognize the fans. Support goes both ways. With Favre it’s only about him.
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