So Brett Favre has apparently retired from the NFL, signaling the end of an era.
Now I know what you're saying: "Oh come on...there's probably thirty 'Brett Favre is retiring and here's why it is a good/bad thing for his career' articles on this site alone."
And you're probably right.
But who would have thought that Brett Favre and Bob Barker had so much in common?
I mean aside from age (Barker is 84 and although the running joke is that Favre would play until he's 84, Brett is still a "young and spry" 38), Brett and Bob may as well be mirror images of each other, as both have walked the path of obscurity to fame over their lives.
To match Favre's story of growing up in Kiln, Mississippi, Barker has his childhood memories from Darrington, Washington and the Rosebud Indian Reservation. To combat Brett's college career, Barker has Truth or Consequences—and his short-lived The Family Game may as well be Favre's time with the Atlanta Falcons.
Even the records match: Favre is the leader amongst Quarterbacks in consecutive games played (275 including playoffs), while Barker held down a weekday T.V. job for a record 51 consecutive years before is retirement in June 2007. Barker has a record 14 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host, while Favre is the only player to ever take home three NFL MVP awards.
They've even suffered through their own shares of health concerns, as Favre has had questions ranging from his head, to his arm, to his ankle, while Barker has had to "play through" a minor hand injury, prostate surgery, two strokes, and carotid endarterectomy surgery.
Meanwhile, their replacements are suffering a fate worse than a third-string quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
I mean, how do you replace someone who was as beloved by fans as Barker and Favre were?
Well, you don't really.
As of this moment, both Drew Carey and Aaron Rodgers are faced with having to live up to—and exceed—the expectations that their predecessors laid out. There's no room for error, and at the first sign of trouble, fans will be all over them.
In actuality? Fans had (or will be in the case of Green Bay) been jumping off the bandwagon just because it wasn't who they grew up with. I mean thousands of old ladies probably stopped watching The Price is Right just because Drew Carey isn't the man they fell in love with.
How many fringe Packers fans will jump ship just because Brett Favre isn't around anymore and they're left with Aaron Rodgers?
Don't get me wrong: both Aaron Rodgers and Drew Carey are quality talents in their own rights, as both have had to prove themselves on some level—Drew Carey hosting Whose Line is it Anyways? and The Drew Carey Show (Whether it was good or not, the man still had a self-titled show, which isn't something everyone gets)—and Rodgers, who set numerous school records at the University of California, and has seen some success in a limited role in his first three NFL seasons—but both will be living in the shadow of legends.
And we've seen how constant comparisons to the greats can kill players' careers.
What will help Rodgers though is the fact that he's not coming straight from the draft.
If the Packers were to go out and draft Favre's successor this April, then the kid would be under constant scrutiny, and have no one to show him the ropes aside from Craig Nall and whoever else the Packers decided to bring in as a mentor.
To Rodgers?
This is just the same old song and dance, seeing as he's been constantly dealing with pressure in Green Bay as Favre has taken a year-by-year stance on his playing future since Rodgers entered the scene.
And he did get to study under Favre for a few years at least, which is certainly more than Drew Carey got.
But perhaps Drew said it best: "You can't replace Bob Barker. I don't compare myself to anybody…It's only about what you're doing and supposed to do".
So if Aaron doesn't try to replace Brett Favre, and just goes out and does what he's supposed to do—growing pains and all—there's no reason he can't be successful in Green Bay.
It's convincing the Packer faithful to keep that same mindset that's the hard part...
11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
KP Wee about 1 year ago
I've watched "The Price is Right" sparingly, and I have to say, Drew Carey just does not seem a good fit with the show... not a lot of enthusiasm that's for sure.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
Excellent comparison here Bryan.
I think you're right—it is a big question as to how the fans at Lambeau will react to the change. They are some of the best sports fans in the world, but the fact is that for almost two decades now they've rallied behind #4.
And finally, they are going to get to their first home game of the season and see someone else at the helm. To say that it's going to be a strange feeling is an understatement. Their attitude towards Rodgers could give him the confidence he needs to develop into a solid starter...or mark the second coming of Don Majowski in Green Bay.
As for Rogers himself, he surely has big shoes to fill—but the good news is that it's been done before.
Steve Young had big shoes to fill in San Francisco by following up the act of the Montana Magic, but he went on to have a Hall of Fame career of his own and lead the team to one of the most decisive championship victories in league history. Tom Brady's potential was unclear when Drew Bledsoe went down, but Brady has since established himself as one of the game's all time greats while Bledsoe will likely miss the Hall of Fame.
While there is indeed a lot of pressure on Rogers, I think it's actually a preferable situation to what a lot of quarterbacks face.
I mean, what would you rather be: a #1 draft pick who is expected to start their first season and turn the franchise around with a weak supporting cast?
Or a #1 pick who has had the benefit of watching an NFL legend play, and joins a squad that consists of a proven receiving corps and O-line and an up-and-coming running back, and is led by the 2007 Coach of the Year?
All things considered, Aaron Rodgers is in a great position here. If the fans at Lambeau will give him a chance to develop, the Pack will still be a Super Bowl contender.
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Tim Seeman about 1 year ago
the fans at Lambeau will give him a chance because they own the team. no team has more loyal fans than the green bay packers. the waiting list for season tickets is almost 50 years long! if the packers go 6-10 next year, Lambeau will still fill to the top every game. what if the pats go 6-10? the colts? a lot of people would have to find the next bandwagon to jump on. just ask the saints what it's like when everyone jumps off. no matter what happens in green bay, the cheeseheads will still come out in droves to watch the team they've dedicated their lives, money, and street names to.
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Kayte Hyatt about 1 year ago
What a great story Bryan! I'm not going to lie. When I saw another article about Brett Favre's decision to retire i was like, *yawn* great. But the way in which you presented the information was truely entertaining. Not only did you comically compare him to a legendary pop icon, but also threw in the need-to-know facts and even statistics. Great article and I can't wait to hear more from you.
P.S. I am interning with Bleacher Report so keep me posted on your articles so I can keep up to date with you. Let me know if I can help you out in any way also!
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The Phinisher about 1 year ago
Favre was a great player. Packers fans have to be a little excited to see what Rodgers can do. He looked great in that Thursday night game last year against the Cowboys. His only mistake so far is that he looks like Scott Stapp from Creed. It is a major mistake. Perhaps he won't be able to recover from it.
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Salim Valji about 1 year ago
love this article to death. It is great. Love it!
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Elizabeth about 1 year ago
It's weird watching the Price is Right without Barker, and it will be weird to see the Packers without Farve next year. Good story!
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Paul Gotham about 1 year ago
Here's hoping Rodgers' first year isn't spent on the Plinko board.
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Chris about 1 year ago
The good news is that Rodgers isn't a complete rookie. He has played in a few games and has already thrown a TD pass. A lot of times that is the hardest thing to do. Put your first points on the board. Rodgers came into a stressful situation and looked poised and confident. He lit the Cowboys up and nearly led the Pack to a victory. He was awesome. He has shown that can play at the professional level against tough competition. Whether or not he can play at this level consistently unknown. At least the upside is there.
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
Drew Carey was a stand-up comedian with a limited ability. Then he got his own sitcom and only had to be himself. Now he is being asked to be Bob Barker. Its not going to work. I've seen the show and it seems awkward.
Aaron Rodgers was a better prospect coming out of college than Brett Favre was. He is very talented and is eager to forge his own legacy. I believe he will
Case in point....Tiki Barber was the entire Giant offense for the final four years of his career. When he left, Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw combined to make us forget him.
The Giants went on to win it all.....all Rodgers has to do is be a winner and the Favre comparisons will go away quickly...
JF
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Whiteshark 8 about 1 year ago
There are many Favre fans who arent Packer fans but no Packer fans who arent Favre fans. Packer fans are old school. Favre isnt the first Hall of Famer to play the position in Green Bay, he will be the third. He is not the first QB to win a championship in Green Bay, he is the third. It remains to be seen if Aaron Rodgers will be the next Anthony Dilweg or the next Lynn Dickey or the next Arnie Herber. He will be as prolific as Favre I dont think. But if he plays solid, mistake free football, could he perhaps be the next Bart Starr type player? Remember, all he has to do is win ONE Super Bowl and he ties Favre and surpasses Dickey. I look forward to the Rodgers years even though I will remember Favre's wreckless style fondly. But I also remember the Dickey and Starr years fondly. I just hope we dont have another run like we had from 85 to 91 of Zorn, Wright, Fusina, Feragamo, Risher, Dilweg, Kiel, and Tomzcak. I look at it this way. The Bears went to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at QB. It remains to be seen, bt I believe Rodgers will be better than Grossman. I see him as an Eli Manning type. He'll make mistakes early but Packer fans will give him more space than NY fans gave Manning. PREDICTION: A tough defensive Packer team wins the division this year with a 10-6 record and all is well in Titletown...for now.
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