This afternoon, I turned on my television to ESPNEWS, where I read on the bottom line that the Packers were in discussions with quarterback Brett Favre, who retired a few months ago.
The line said that these talks were of a possible return to the Green Bay, and something tells me that they aren't asking him to cover the team from the booth.
When the all-time leader in touchdown passes retired, many believed that his tears legitimized his retirement. It seemed more real than if Brett sat back in his chair with a beer in his hand and said, "Hey guys, I think I'm gonna retire."
That wasn't how it happened. Brett attempted to hold back tears, while he stood up in front of the nation and told us that it was over. Everyone was sold that it was over.
Fans, friends, family, teammates, coaches, and even Brett Favre were sold that it was done. Arguably the greatest career in any sport had finished. It reminded some of us back to when Michael Jordan retired. MJ sold it to us.
So it began to sink in. Packer fans were in disbelief, as well as backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who sat behind Favre for three seasons. Aaron began to prepare himself to take over for Brett. In his three years under Favre, the former California star undoubtedly learned numerous techniques and skills from Brett.
- B/R Ticket Guide
In late March, about three weeks after his retirement speech, it was reported the Favre still had not filed the paperwork that would officially make him retired. Most people suggested that this was nothing to get any hopes up for and that Brett had simply not gotten to the paperwork yet.
A few weeks later, Favre went on Letterman and talked about him getting started and making it to the NFL. As the conversation progressed, Brett was asked if he had retired.
Brett responded with a joke, saying, "I have retired. Watch TV a lot, don't you?" Later Favre went on to say "...I think when training camp gets close I will (pauses) something is bound to happen."
Aaron Rodgers was likely waking up to his normal day of training for the upcoming season, when he turned on ESPN2 and saw the clip on Mike & Mike in the Morning. This rose hope in football fans everywhere.
The next few months we heard little news about Favre, other than him being on the cover of the newest Madden video game, Madden '09. But now, in early July this new story has arisen.
If I were a Packer fan, I would be very upset with the way Favre has handled the situation. The team has already drafted a backup, Brian Brohm, for their new starter, Aaron Rodgers. Had they known that Favre wasn't done, they could have filled another need with the second round selection.
So now, after all this garbage, I am done caring about this. Brett will make his decision when he makes his decision and the team should wait until he makes up his mind.
I apologize to die-hard Favre fans, but I feel that Brett is letting his team down by not making his decision. I am tired of this guy pulling everyone's leg whenever he is unsure about something.
Please, don't get me wrong. I love Brett Favre, and I think that he is one of the greatest football players of all-time. I just don't think that he's being fair to the Packers.
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6 months ago
If he comes back, that would be the worst thing to happen to the team since... well since i can remember. This is the absolute most selfish thing Favre could do. Aaron Rodgers would probably demand to be traded, and I wouldn't blame him.
Not only would Rodgers be the most eeked off player in the NFL, but Favre coming back would put the team in a very uncomfortable position. If Favre comes back, and Green Bay releases him (which would be the best thing the franchise could do, they need to move on and Rodgers is the guy to do that with) Wisconsin would flip shit. If they keep him, Rodgers would have to demand to be traded (see above).
I'm glad I'm not a Packer fan nor in anyway affiliated with the Packers. This could truly drag down what looked like a promising season.
from 6 months ago
At this point anything could happen. Favre may come back for one or two seasons then retire and leave the team to Brian Brohm. The team will likely be successful whether it is Rodger or Favre in the huddle. After the Favre era, Brian Brohm will be a good enough player to carry the team.
6 months ago
There is no discussion going on at this point. The team has no comment.
No matter what the outcome, the Rodgers/Favre division has already begun.
from 6 months ago
Are you affiliated with the organization and able to comment on behalf of the team?
from 6 months ago
No as a matter of fact I am not. However, if you know how to use google, and I am assuming you do, you will notice that 'The Team' or 'My Team' if you prefer has said publicly "no comment".
Also, for the record, Favre denied the whole story a long time ago via his hometown paper.
from 6 months ago
Okay, Alex. First of all, this article was written before the team publicly said "No comment". Second of all, when was this longtime ago time period that you speak of in which Favre called the story "all rumor"? If you are referring to the statement he gave to the Biloxi Sun Herald yesterday afternoon, then I also believe that was written after this article was written.
Thank-you for providing me with facts that were not true until after this article was published, in an attempt to make yourself appear more intelligent to the readers.
Oh and Alex, believe it or not, I have heard of Google and I know how to use it. So thanks for your insight and I look forward to your next comment.
from 6 months ago
My only reply is that I know way more about the Pack than you.
Enough said.
I had an article on my blog and on here within minutes of all reports. Feel free to check out the verify the time stamps you seem to cherish so.
from 6 months ago
Okay pal. Next time I write something on the Packers I will direct the readers to your blog. I know I probably sound like a sarcastic idiot, but I'm serious. I don't doubt that you know more about the Pack than I do, seeing that you are a die-hard fan, and that I am just a spectator. Sorry about going back at you.
from 6 months ago
Banter doesn't bother me at all. I have been taking it and throwing it back since the first Packer forum hit the internet.
In fact, it was nice to get some comments from you.
Fan.
6 months ago
Brett Favre wins a Super Bowl and gives the Packers a winning record almost every season he is there and this is how he gets repaid? By being told by fans not to come back?
Nice fans.
from 6 months ago
Brett has done an excellent job on the field and if he comes back then the Packers need to pray that Rodgers wants to stay one more year. The fact of the matter is, Favre turns 39 in October. At best, he will play two more seasons until he gives retirement another chance. A few years ago, when the Packers took Aaron Rodgers, it was more than likely that Favre was flat out asked what he thought of taking Rodgers. The organization took Rodgers thinking that Favre would be long gone by now. Favre has selfishly jerked the team around in the past three or four seasons on whether or not he is going to retire, an once he finally did, it wasn't real.
from 6 months ago
No, but the team has publicly stated it has "no comment".
from 6 months ago
No one is more loyal than Packers fans--we sold out every game on season tickets with a waiting list for 25 years in which we had four winning seasons, including the strike shortened 1982 and 8-7-1 in 1978. We love Favre, and I would accept him back. But he has strung us along and is a short-term solution, so I understand the desire to put it behind us and see what Rodgers can do.
from 6 months ago
The Packers are on the brink of being a super bowl team again. But if you downgrade from Favre to Rodgers, I think it puts you behind at least 3 years. Everybody wants to believe the transition from Favre to Rodgers is going to be so smooth and you won't notice a difference or that Rodgers will be better than Favre. Favre just had one of his best seasons, he actually protected the ball, and you made it to the NFC Championship. Rodgers has played in, what, 275 less games than Favre? I think I'd rather have the guy with a little bit more experience. Sports are all about "short term solutions" if it means you get just 1 title. Just ask the Florida Marlins or Boston Celtics. You lay it on the line for one season. And you do that every season. Favre is your best QB.
6 months ago
Favre is the greatest QB of all time and if he wants to comeback he can. We have the best team in the NFL this year but with Rodgers I don't know if we can win it but with Favre it is an easy win. Favre I am one of the few that are sticking with you so come on back.
from 6 months ago
Haha greatest qb of all time. That is funny.
One of the greatest of all time. yes. Best? absolutely not. Please review some NFL history with an objective opinion and you'll see that claim is a steamy pile of BS.
from 6 months ago
Spenser, while I do not believe Favre is the greatest of all time, a case can certainly be made for it and such an assertion is in no way laughable. He holds the following records off the top of my head: wins, completions, yards, TDs, MVPs (AND got them consecutively), consecutive games played, 3000 yard seasons, 30-TD seasons, and number of franchises beaten (having beaten all 31). He also is in the top five in 4000-yd seasons, consecutive completions, 4 TD games, and 5 TD games.
He has one of the highest winning percentages and even one of the best TD:INT ratios in the game despite his reputation as someone who throws interceptions all the time. And he did it without one Hall of Famer or even frequent Pro Bowler behind him--not one offensive teammate earned more than three Pro Bowls, and that was Sterling Sharpe in Favre's first three years as a Packer.
from 6 months ago
Im with you my man, He is the greatest to ever lace them up! So all you haters bow down to number 4
from 6 months ago
I agree with MJ. Favre may not be the best all-time, but he is certainly close.
6 months ago
This whole thing was something trumped up by the sports media, several years ago he mentioned if he couldnt play at a high level then it would be time to go.each year the media speculated on whether or not he would retire and Favre said nothing. Can anyone point me to an interview or news article where Favre said "this is my last season" and then changed his mind? Yeah thats what i thought!
from 6 months ago
He said he was leaning toward retirement after three seasons (2005, 2006, 2007) before finally doing it. He also took a long time to make the decision before last season, putting us in a potential bind. But for the record, if we did not like it we could have moved on and then traded him or told him he wasn't welcome back--i.e. it was only a problem because we wanted him to keep playing.
6 months ago
This rumor is complete BS, it's been working its way around for a couple of days now... complete BS. If you'd check some other source beside ESPN, for instance a number of notable Packer blogs, maybe the Mississippi Sun-Herald, you'd find (cited) sources to denials straight from Brett Favre. Where ESPN got this bull from, who knows? Favre denies it, Bus isn't talking and both McCarthy and Thompson are on vacation... it's all hot air from ESPN. But it generates a bunch of traffic to espn.com, doesn't it?
It's all a rumor. Even he says so, http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/663221.html
Sure, the man will have second thoughts. But he's not coming back. I'm a packer fan and Aaron Rogers is my quarterback.
Let it go.
6 months ago
Does anybody remember the Packers before Brett Favre? The days when our star players were Don Majkowski and Tim Harris and our coach was Lindy Infante? I am so grateful to Brett Favre for restoring the glory to Titletown, without him we would never have achieved the success that Packer fans have enjoyed for so long. Brett Favre has turned down more money to stay in Green Bay and even remained extremely loyal in the post-Holmgren era, even when things looked rather bleak. Anybody remember it was Favre making all those last-minute comebacks this year? It's Favre's team and it's disgusting that so many think that Rodgers has some sort of claim to a team that he has never even started for! I personally will always root for Favre over a guy that tells fans to get on board or shut up. He is a rookie that has been watching for three years, he has no right to the team that Favre built. If Packers fans can't see that, then Green Bay doesn't deserve his talent or presence. I love the Packers but not if this is how they treat the best quarterback in their history and in my opinion, NFL history. Everybody will be crying this year when Rodgers gets hurt once again and it will be their own fault for abandoning the pillar of the Green Bay Packers. I am ashamed of Green Bay if this is the way loyalty and dedication is repaid.
6 months ago
How does an article like this even get on the internet? If he was a true Packer fan, he would understand the love we have for Brett and how grateful we'd be if he came back.
Did you see what Rodgers said in Sports Illustrated? He said "I don't need to prove anything to the fans". "I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans. They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut." Enough said.
from 6 months ago
Well, to tell you the truth, I am not a Packers fan. I'm a fan of the game and sports in general. For three or four years we have heard about this retirement, and I just don't think that Favre has been fair to his team.
6 months ago
Did anyone stop to think that Favre had no intention of coming back as a Packer? It was pretty clear that Thompson wanted to go in another direction. Does that mean Favre has to just give up? He is better than many of the starting quarterbacks playing today. He has the same rights as any player. If Thompson has chosen the team's path and Rodgers is to lead the way, then all he has to do is release Favre. If Thompson doesn't want him, let him go. Thompson wasn't going to get anything for Favre if he stayed retired. But if Thompson has changed his mind about wanting compensation for Favre, then he can trade him and wind up better off than he was a month ago. I'm tired of everyone thinking Favre has let his team down. He walked away because he realized the team's leadership wanted to go in a different direction. Favre's not the villain. Just maybe no one is the villain.
from 6 months ago
Cindy, even if I had thought that Brett might be looking to move to another team, which I absolutely did not because I never thought I would see him in any other uniform, other than Greenbay green, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Brett knows how loyal the fans are to him. I don't think it is a reach to say that fans are more loyal to Favre than they are to the Packers. If he really has asked the team to come back, than the Packers should take him and allow Aaron Rodgers, a very talented young player, to walk and be a waste of time and money. They would then have Brian Brohm as a backup. Brohm is good enough to be a very good NFL quarterback, especially after learning from Brett Favre.
I agree with you in that if the Packers dont want him, that they should trade him. They could probably get a second round pick and cash for him. I think Brett could go to a number of teams that are close to being competitive, but don't have a quarterback. Favre is still good enough to play one or two more season, seeing that he has never had a major injury.
Also Favre is far from being a villain, but he is letting the team down. This decision to return could have been made before the team drafted a good young quarterback in the second round. When Favre announced his retirement, it sounded so genuine, so sincere, that I really believed him. He has duped the nation, lied to his fans, and lied to his team.
6 months ago
To answer the question:
Yes. I am extremely tired of Favre jerking me around.
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