Brett Favre: The Final Word?

Had enough of the Brett Favre story? I have.

That's why, when I was unable to move the above photo into position so it did not cut off Favre's head, I decided to keep it anyway. So much symbolism: nip this story in the bud, the man has lost his head, the head of the Packers is gone...take your pick.

I cannot escape it. ESPN would talk about Brett Favre every five minutes if they could.

Everything has already been said. When I used to work for an environmental organization, we had a saying: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." The media have parts two and three down pat.

I think the supersaturation has the opposite of the intended effect. The media wants to keep us informed. Instead, we cannot sift out real information from the same ol', same ol'.

For instance, I have heard many pro-Favre people say Ted Thompson did not want him from the start, even that he was pressuring the star into retirement. However, the evidence is strong to the contrary. Consider the following from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's July 13, 2008 issue:

• Feb. 22: Thompson calls Favre after hearing his star quarterback is mad he had not been called. Aside from the possibility Thompson feels Favre has earned the respect not to be pressured into a decision, Favre directly tells him what he heard was not true.
• Feb. 25 (that's just three days later, people!): Coach Mike McCarthy talks to Favre about lessening the star's load to help make it easier for him to come back.
• Feb. 29: When Favre says if he had to make a decision now he would retire, Thompson and McCarthy tell him to think about it over the weekend, and McCarthy suggests changing reps or offseason things to help ease the load. Remember last year when Favre wanted to miss spring camp to plan his daughter's graduation party, even though it was weeks after the camp? They were basically talking about giving him that kind of leeway.
• March 4: Thompson, McCarthy, and PR director Jeff Blumb are in Thompson's office and Blumb reaches Favre on his cell phone and talks for a few minutes before handing the phone over to Thompson. After what the GM describes as 15-20 minutes of conversation, the decision was made to hold the press conference announcing the retirement.
• March 6: In the press conference, Favre mentions not being fully committed or being able to give 100 percent, saying this would not be fair to the team or fans.
• Late March: Favre asks offensive line coach James Campen whether the Packers would take him back. McCarthy calls Favre and hears the same question. After a talk with Thompson, the two agree they would be fine with his return and call to inform him, adding they want to come see him. By the end of the month, however, Favre calls back to cancel the visit, saying he and Deanna (his wife) had a long talk and decided to stick with their original decision.

This only considers what happened in just over five weeks. Thompson also paid Favre a visit on May 6, before those late-May team activities. He said the furthest Favre went in addressing a return was saying he may have some doubts or change his mind.

Then, last night (July 15), I read more details of his FoxNews interview on the ESPN scroll. It turns out he has said he questions Thompson for several reasons:

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