Ingrates.
Backstabbers.
Traitors.
These are not the words we generally associate with Green Bay fans, who are notoriously some of the most loyal and knowledgeable in the NFL.
These are the fans that brave sub-freezing conditions to keep Lambeau field’s mind-boggling consecutive sell-out streak at over 250 regular season games, a streak that started in 1960 and doesn’t include games that were played in Milwaukee before that.
These are the fans that have over 74,000 names on the waiting list in the hopes of one day securing season tickets.
The fans who were recently awarded tickets first put their name in the hat in the mid-1970s.
These are the fans that sold out all those games in spite of having only FIVE winning seasons between 1968 and 1991. But then came 1992.
This was the year that the Packer’s acquired Brett Favre from the Atlanta Falcons for a first-round pick. This was the year Favre replaced Don Majkowski (a.k.a. Aaron Rodgers, the can’t-miss kid) and promptly won the Packers their first game of the season, starting an INSANE streak of 271 consecutive starts for the club. He’s never missed a game.
He brought his fiery best to each one of those starts, even becoming addicted to painkillers just so he could trot out onto the field for the adoring Green Bay faithful.
Over the next 15 seasons, the Packers had 13 winning seasons (and one .500 season), or roughly three times as many as they had been privy to during nearly a quarter century of futility prior to Favre’s arrival.
For all the talk of Green Bay’s titles, only three have come in the Super Bowl era, and the first two were from times when the AFL and NFL were separate leagues.
Green Bay had become a laughingstock, equivalent to the Lions or Cardinals, and was consistently among the league’s worst.
You think Matt Millen’s drafting of Mike Williams was a fiasco? Try drafting Tony Mandarich when Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Derrick Thomas were still on the board.
Favre brought respectability back to Green Bay at a time when the franchise was teetering on the brink. He brought the playoffs, the NFC championship, the Super Bowl title, the MVP, the Sports Illustrated covers, the reemergence of a sports tradition, and the notoriety of a forgotten, backwoods, small-market team.
Brett Favre brought Green Bay respect.
One would think that he deserves a little respect in return.
Apparently, not in Green Bay.
The pressure started building during the disastrous 2005 season when Green Bay went 4-12, and Favre suffered his worst season as a pro. Despite throwing for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, Green Bay fans were quick to point out his league-worst 29 interceptions, and gave him little slack for losing half his offensive line, having no running game, and throwing to receivers who consistently ran the wrong routes.
18 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
Susie West about 1 year ago
Who the hell are you? Are you even from Wisconsin-We stood and stand behind Brett Favre until our dying day. I invite you to any local sports bar and you will only hear praise for Brett and what he has done for the Packers and Green Bay-if anyone wants him to retire it is for his own health-playing Quarterback is tough business and he is already promised years of arthritis for injuries he's sustained playing. We love him like our brother and want only the best for him.
We sir-are not turncoats-not on Breet and not on the Packers-but on you-yes maybe!
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Daniel Muth about 1 year ago
Oh Susie such hostility,
I've talked with plenty of Brett-basher Green Bay fans over the last few years wanting Favre to step down based on nonsensical arguments that Aaron Rodgers is "the future." There has certainly been no love cast his way by current management, whom according to most reports, are not even returning his calls. Favre has also said, through his manager, his impression is that management wanted him out of the picture, which figured heavily in his decision to retire. If you're a Favre fan prove it! Call management and rally the troops! Make it clear that this is unacceptable and that you would welcome him back! Unfortunately, what seems to be the most pervasive media sentiment out of Wisconsin these days is that Favre is "tarnishing his legacy." What they really mean is that he's become inconvenient, which is a horrible way to treat the savior himself.
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Efrem Owens about 1 year ago
WOW!!! That was the first word that entered my mind as I was reading the article.
Let's say I was an uneducated fan about football who just happened upon this column. In reading it, I would have reached the conclusion that Favre was the greatest quarterback ever; leading his team to numerous championships, but yet the Packers have simply turned their back on him. But I'm not that person.
Daniel, we are all aware of Favre's exploits - which, many of them, in my opinion, were media generated. Yes, he was a very good football player and put up some spectacular numbers. But at the same time, and here's where folks' eyebrows raise up, Favre hasn't elevated his team in the playoffs post 1998. More to the point, his interceptions have singlehandedly cost the Packers playoff wins.
He only hung around this long BECAUSE he is Brett Favre playing in Green Bay.
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Daniel Muth about 1 year ago
So Efrem, you seem to be arguing that Favre is a detriment to his team. More or less the opposite argument that Susie was making though equally as vehement.
Favre, by the way, is considered by most in the know to be one of the top five best quarterbacks ever so I guess I am arguing that he is that good. Where the heck have you been? A media creation? If I may borrow your exasperated "WOW!!!". Thanks that seems to have expressed my disbelief nicely. Anyone else want to argue Favre as a media creation??? My friend you would get a lot of hits if you wrote THAT article, and honestly I'd like to see the replies.
I am also arguing that the Packers would and perhaps WILL be a better team with him under center than Aaron Rodgers. There are plenty of players who are considered all-time greats that NEVER won the title, but according to you that somehow invalidates their greatness? I guess Barry Sanders is a worse back than Brandon Jacobs. The truth of the matter is that Brett Favre hasn't been surrounded by a whole lot of talent recently, unless you can provide me with the list of all-stars you've got squirreled away in your back pocket. And the second he at least gets a mediocre team (not great) he absolutely does elevate them to within seconds of the Superbowl. With younger players ready to take to next step, they absolutely have a shot to contend for a title. But only with the gunslinger under center. He has ALWAYS made that team better and continues to do so.
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Efrem Owens about 1 year ago
Daniel: Let me say that there was no venom in my post. Sorry if it came across in that way. Venom is not my thing. Even in disagreement. Again, I apologize if I came across as mean-spirited.
Yes, I am saying Favre is a liability to the Packers. His numbers bare that out. And that's the part of Favre and his legend people just want to gloss over.
The bottom line, Daniel, is winning. And that, quite frankly, isn't what Green Bay has done in the playoffs in recent years. Despite having Favre under center.
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
Didn't take it as such Efrem, it's sometimes hard to judge "tone" in a blog. We're good. As for Favre, the underlying motivation for this article is my own complicity in Barry Sanders retirement (I'm a Lions fan). Since Barry didn't live in the Detroit area, much as Farve lives his off-season in Mississippi, I think he got insulated from how much he was loved in Detroit. He only got to deal with the A-holes in the front office. I think if there would of been an out-flowing of fan support for Barry when he retired, rather than the bewildered-sniping about "hurting the team" he may have come back. I would've driven to Kansas and picked him up myself. I guess we differ on how good a quarterback Farve still is. I, for one, think he's still great.
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Jim Bischoff about 1 year ago
All,
Do ya'll really think this itch thing is 'real'? ? ?
Latest I read is this is all media spin because Bret is on Madden '09, and this keeps his name in lights.
Sorry, but I just can't imagine Bret returning after his Mar conference, and lastly, I believe the Man simply has more poise and professionalism in him.
A Fan before Brett, and after Brett.
God Bless the Green Bay Packers!
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
Well, the only thing that makes me think it's real Jim is that Farve could put a stop to the rumors very quickly if it weren't. We also know that he's been attemting to contact the Packers recently and they haven't been returning his text's. Could be nothing...but I think he may want to play.
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The Packers Lounge about 1 year ago
This article is poor, at best.
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
I guess you're arguing that Farve isn't very good Alex. Because I'm saying he's the greatest.
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James Southerton about 1 year ago
Question . . . If it weren't for Brett Favre, would the Packers even be in Green Bay right now?
We all need to remember that the 2000 Brown County referendum passed by a 53% to 47% margin. If there were no Brett Favre playing for the Packers, do you think that referendum would have passed. I know that the Packers fans are the most loyal in the country, but if mediocrity were allowed to continue through the 1990's, that referendum result would have been the other way around - at best. There would be no atrium (which brings year-round revenue, by the way), no Lambeau Field, and no GREEN BAY Packers. And let's not forget all of the community and charity work that Brett and Deanna have done over the years. Green Bay is definitely better off because of Brett Favre.
I feel that THIS time Green Bay needs to give something back to Brett. Keep in mind, however, that allowing him to play would not just be a favor to him; HE still gives us the best chance to win the Super Bowl this season and the next. If the organization doesn't want to do it for Brett, perhaps they should just view it as another BUISNESS decision to which they should not close their eyes. Brett kept Green Bay on the map in 2000, and if given the chance, he might put us back again in 2008-09!
Go Packers! Go Brett!
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
Great points all James!
I basically am arguing the Favre is the best football decision too. But with Favre, you can't help but talk about all the other things he's meant to Green Bay too.
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Sam Dupont 12 months ago
That article is about the biggest pile of steaming s**t I've read in quite awhile - and that's saying something since I keep a fairly close eye on the presidential race.
Where did this guy get his 'facts'? Does he realize that most Green Bay fans WANT Favre back next year? Does he realize that Packer management tried to get him to come back at the end of last year, and that Brett turned them down? Does he realize that even during the 4-12 season, Favre remained the single most popular Packers player among the fans?
Of course, on top of all that, he fails to point out that by making (possibly) a comeback AFTER already retiring, Favre is placing at the Packer's feet a terrible situation entirely of his own making. With Favre having retired, the Packers several months ago began plans for the new season with the understanding that Rodgers would be the new QB. They've already practiced on the playset that is suited to Rodgers and not Favre. So if they take Favre back, they would need to scrap much of the past 3 months of planning. Secondly, if they took him back, they admit that Favre controls the Packers, which undermines the ability of management to field a quality team year in and year out. So, despite the fact that I have been and always will be a huge Favre fan, the only objective conclusion is that he's being more than a bit selfish if he does comeback. I'm miffed at him and if some other fans are too, they have a right to be. I'm frankly surprised more aren't. But I guess that's because the writer of this article served up a big pile of s**t, because Favre is more popular among NO other group MORE that Green Bay Packer fans.
My two cents.
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
HaHaHa! Sam, you and your defecation.
Yes, I am basically making the arguement that you shouldn't be pissed at Favre. After all his loyal service he deserves a break. I also am not a football moron. I know that Green Bay fans have an acute interest in the welfare of the club and that Favre's indecision is undoubtedly throwing the entire team into more than a little turmoil. I also know that we're quickly approaching pre-season games, and this is an inconvenient time for all this to be going down. I also know that Favre is idolized in Wisconsin, but with that, comes near godly expectations for someone who is really just a man. When it comes down to it, he's a dude from Mississippi that plays a mean game of football. If it happens again be pissed, but the truth of the matter is that if Favre comes back, the Pack contends. If not, mediocrity.
As for any of my facts, they are easily verifiable. Post me a note on my board and I would be glad to point you to my sources.
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Dave Crawford 12 months ago
What I can't figure out is why the GB management didn't seem to want him back for next year and why he was pressured into such an early decision. We should have told him to come back after he has some rest and to just be ready to play at training camp. The guy has done so much for the Packers and football in general. Just having him on the field is a big draw. All I can say is that if Rogers is the QB for next year the Pack had better win at least 13 games or there will be fans across this country questioning this move and this could be a short career at GB for both Thomson and McCarthy.
Dave in Minnesota
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
Nor can I Dave. They should have been clamoring to try to convince him to stay for another year, but they weren't. And don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Rodgers, and he could prove to be an outstanding young quarterback. But is he going to give you 4,000 28-15? Even the most ambitious Green Bay fan will have to admit that to be a stretch.
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felipe torres 12 months ago
for everything that brett has done for green bay. how can you not give him one more shot at the title. i'm extremely dissapointed that many packer fans would allow management to treat Brett with such disrespect. i hope he gets to play again and it would be really sad if he was to win a 5 mvp for another team and win a second mvp trophy but not for the packers. Keep trying brett you might even finish with your first superbowl mvp trophy!!!
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Daniel Muth 12 months ago
It's getting worse Felipe. Green Bay management now refuses to release Favre. They say he can play for them but only as the back up. What a bunch of morons. They are basically admitting (by not releasing him) that he's too good to let a division rival snatch him up, but aren't going to let him start because they're ready to move on. I imagine they want to shop trade options, and want to make sure that either Minnesota or Chicago are not the teams signing him. Again, if he's that good, why isn't he starting for your team?
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