Brett Favre loves the spotlight. He loves drawing attention to himself. His retirement is much the same way he played football. Loose and carefree.
"So what if I throw an interception. I'm having a great time out here."
Lucky for Favre, the Green Bay Packers have a question mark at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is a fine prospect, but that's what he is—a prospect. The only reason why the Packers aren't immediately giving the future Hall of Fame quarterback his final walking papers is the unknown.
The club wants to remain competitive, and much of that, as usual, rests on the shoulders of the man behind the center. Not only that, Rodgers may, in fact, be a true No. 1 quarterback, but replacing a legend like Favre is going to be difficult.
Life isn't always fair, and it's clearly unfair to the young quarterback who has been groomed as the heir apparent to his majesty.
Making matters more complicated, Green Bay's coaching staff harbors hard feelings toward Favre.
Head coach Mike McCarthy, one of the better up-and-coming sideline generals in the National Football League, blamed his club's final loss of the season on Farve's intercepted pass in the NFC title game.
In a New York Daily News article written by columnist Gary Myers, McCarthy revealed, in essence, that Farve's intercepted pass thrown in overtime leading to the New York Giants upset win, was a mistake by the legendary quarterback.
The Mississippi-born Favre was supposed to have thrown outside, toward the sideline, when, instead, he threw inside, leading to the interception. The pick by Giants corner back Corey Webster, led to the game-winning field goal, giving the underdog New York Giants an improbable 23-20 upset in the sub-arctic conditions of Green Bay's Lambeau Field.
The Giants, of course, went on to defeat the previously unbeaten New England Patriots two weeks later in Arizona in Super Bowl XLII.
But let's face facts, Favre was clearly bothered by the weather conditions in the NFC Championship game. It is surprising when you consider how often he's played in similar weather, that the Green Bay legend looked like he wanted to be somewhere else, while his counterpart, Giants quarterback Eli Manning looked like he couldn't get enough the icy conditions.
The Packers' organization is in a tough spot, but they will have to decide soon. It is unclear whether Farve's determination to play is greater than his desire to man the helm at Lambeau Field once again, which may result in him wearing the uniform of another team.
Favre probably realizes that his somewhat narcissistic decision might cost him some fans in Packer nation, for now. But then again, Favre has always made his decisions by his heart. This time, instead of putting one in the end zone or throwing one away, he might even fumble before the ball is snapped.
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3 months ago
I think Favre has earned the right to do what he wants. he's busted his butt and not missed a game in forever. If he wants to come back, who are we to say he can't?
He just had one of his best seasons in his career, he's far from being over.
Sure I wouldn't be thrilled if I was the Packers about how he's handled this, but you have to bring him back because he can lead that team to a Super Bowl, Rodgers isn't ready for that yet.
from 3 months ago
I agree that Favre has earned the right to do what he wants, but this is now 3 straight years where he has used that right to essentially hold the Pakcers hostage because he can't make up his mind. So maybe he has earned the right, but he is showing no concern for the organization or the other players on the team by doing this. and let's play this out - what if Favre comes back, what happens next offseason? The Packers will go through this whole thing again. Is Favre their QB or are they moving on? At some point you cross the line from having the right to do something to abusing that right. Favre also owes the packers some respect and he isn't showing that.
from 3 months ago
Favre doesn't have the right to disrupt his team. He's spent his time in the NFL, now give someone else a chance.
3 months ago
What happens if Favre returns to the Packers and plays poorly? You have divided Packers fans, divided sportswriters who cover the Packers, and, more importantly, a divided Packers locker room.
Favre should stay retired for the good of the Packers.
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