Brett Favre: Shell-Shocked, Tired and Not Committed

Brett Favre gave New York Jets fans his tired, sad, uncommitted press conference today.

Lifting up a Jets jersey way too small, Favre appeared on the verge of tears.

The press conference was Favre's personal river to cross. He just left a fan base who understood the joy is in the journey, not the destination. He realized not even his deification by Packer fans allowed him to accuse an entire organization, and thus the organization's fans, of lies, untruths, and dishonesty.

People say Favre won't be able to withstand the New York media blitz. Oh, yes he will, because Favre believes in himself. He believes he is the greatest. And all of you who tell your children anyone can do anything and "believe in yourself" agree.

Packer management made a mistake. So did Favre and his family.

Both the Packer management and Favre and his family forgot the Packer fans.

Packer fans are frequently painted as rubes who wear cheeseheads. How, then, have these same fans, often with cash infusions to the franchise, supported the most improbable franchise in pro sports history? If they are such rubes, why is their franchise one of the most long-lived and most winning in pro sports?

In part it is because Packer fans understand team and the communal joy of supporting a team. Packer fans made Favre one of the most beloved and recognizable in the history of pro sports. Why? We loved watching the journey and loved the hope of the journey, instead of just the results.

Lots of quarterbacks would be ridden out of town if they threw six interceptions in a playoff game as Favre did. Lots of quarterbacks would be ridden out of town if they threw interceptions like Favre did in Packer playoff games against the Eagles and the Giants.

Like watching a rose bloom, a band blasting out great music, or a kid who will never make the bigs playing ball, Packer fans knew the artistry, the sheer magic of hope, and the joy of watching is, was, and always will be more important than the finish line.

Favre will never experience, again, a fan base willing to pay him hundreds of millions of dollars just to enjoy the artistry. His family and agent will likely love all the new endorsement deals and money-making opportunities in New York but Favre, himself, will never experience the special connection with fans again.

You could see it in Favre's eyes and demeanor tonight. While his agent and family and all the folks who ride his shoulders and salary are thrilled, Favre wanted to cry tonight.

Favre isn't the gunslinger anymore. He's the hired gun. There is no community behind him now--just folks who will say "We pay you to win, not just look pretty trying."

Good Luck, Brett. Hope you and your family and agent make out like bandits.