Bleacher Report - Articles by iowa chick

Tom Brady Leaves Redskin Game With Shoulder Injury

iowa chick — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:42:06 -0400

Tom Brady was playing great Friday in the preseason game against the Washington Redskins.

However, the second quarter ended ominously. Albert Haynesworth fell on Brady and appeared to land with all his weight on Tom's throwing shoulder. Brady got up moving his arm, wrist, and shoulder. He left the game at this time.

Brady came back onto the field at the beginning of the second half, but quickly retired to the locker room.

He didn't address the press after the game.

Belichick was so tight-lipped, he topped himself. When asked if Brady was hurt, he answered that Brady was banged up and bruised like every player would be.

Reporters asked what the team doctors had said. Belichick said Brady was never going to play the second half. There was zero natural flow to this conversation and no smiles on the Patriots' sideline.

A further question about the injury prompted Belichick to say, "Who?" as though he had no idea who the press was asking about.

It's 5:32 AM CST on Saturday here, and no new information. Many expressed concern when Matt Cassel was traded.

If Brady goes out, or has an injury similar to Brett Favre's last year, what happens with the Patriots?

Brett Favre says NO to Vikings- Will the Packer Nation Heal?

iowa chick — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:42:10 -0400

ESPN News has just announced after 4:00 CST that Brett Favre has decided to remain retired. He is unsure of whether his throwing arm would last for an entire season. Disappointment is widespread through not only the Vikings nation, but many other fan bases.

I did predict midsummer that he would not come back. The decision seemed just too hard to make. He would have felt more clearly he wanted to do this to commit to a full season.

I am sure we will hear more as time goes on. Brett himself has not spoken to the public.

A lot of people have had high expectations this summer, mostly Minnesota Vikings fans.

The Packer Nation has thrown pretty harsh criticism at Favre--calling him a traitor, selling Judas shirts (which if you follow the analogy would indicate Favre was selling out Jesus (the Packer Nation?) for the money, FOX naming him the biggest Diva and the Biggest Quitter (???) in sports.

Last year we all went through a very dramatic retirement and attempted comeback by our Icon. Packer Nation was divided about Brett playing for the Jets and not for the Packers.

However, the division was generally whether this was Ted Thompson's fault or Brett Favre's fault. I'm not sure if we were evenly divided or not.

This year, when Brett retired from the Jets and had surgery on his biceps tendon he had one clear suitor: The Minnesota Vikings. This blasted the top off Packer Nation as watching our hero, our legend, our icon march into the Frozen Tundra in purple was beyond anything we had ever imagined we would have to witness.

The Packer Nation was further divided as some fought for Favre's ability to play any place that would hire him, and others felt if he had ever held the "Packer love" he HAD to pass on the Vikings offer.

Interestingly few Packer fans believed he would stay retired and many villified him, assuming he would go to the Vikings to "stick it to the Packers." Those of us with other beliefs were called sissy's, Favre lovers, disloyal Packer Fans, and bandwagon fans who should be locked out.

This summer, in a break from 2008, Brett was basically silent. Early in the season he texted Ed Werder at ESPN the word "NO" when asked if he planned to unretire.

On Joe Buck Live a few weeks ago, Brett said he was thinking about playing now that he had his biceps tendon surgically snipped. He said he had been contacted by the Vikings and did not see why that would upset Packer fans. "I think my 16 years in Green Bay speaks for itself." he said.

Just recently he was seen throwing balls and working out with the local high school as he has done the past five seasons. His comment "I'm throwing pretty good, but pretty good is not good enough for the NFL."

Brett being silent did not stop news from being reported, much of it completely wrong. Fans seemed to blame Brett for all the attention that Brett was getting and more name calling ensued.

When Brett said last week he was not going to play unless he could be assured he could play a full season and that his arm would not give out, I knew it was over. Brett was expecting both perfection and clairvoyance.

No one knows if they can last a whole season. Brett just needed to know how he would do if a coach benched because of an injury that he wanted to play through.

As I write this, Brett Favre has not yet spoken. Perhaps even for him playing in purple was too much, or perhaps, as he said, he could not be guarenteed a whole season of good health. Either way it was a deal breaker.

Well, Brett - we will miss you. You are an electrifying person and it is my hope you do not just stay on the tractor at home. I, at least, welcome you back to the bosom of Green Bay.

You are OUR hall of famer once again.

Brett Favre: It's OK If You Can't Decide; the NFL Has Bigger Problems

iowa chick — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:31:04 -0400

The one reason I am grateful for the story about Big Ben and the allegations of sexual assault is that it has taken some of the spotlight off of Brett Favre.

Michael Vick's situation is the same. Today, on a quick ESPN News they spent the first 3/4 talking about Michael Vick, no time on Ben (what's up ESPN?), and then a very short amount of time on Brett deciding if he will play for the Minnesota Vikings.

What does interest me is that there is no bandwagon vilifying Ben for the reports coming out of Nevada. Lots of insults have been hurled at his accuser, but much protection has been given Ben.

The nice thing is all the insults hurled at Brett Favre for NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE UP HIS MIND have died down a bit as name-calling is blanketed on the accuser of Big Ben and towards Michael Vick.

Criminal allegations are something fans do debate and have strong opinions. They should pay attention to these.

What's disturbing is that readers have treated Brett Favre to the same name calling that criminals have gotten, or women's accusations against athletes.

I don't know what he will decide on Friday (Or That he WILL decide Friday).

I hope we can all come to realize that choosing to play for a rival team when you have no chance for employment with your old team is not of the same magnitude as being accused of rape, being jailed for dog-fighting and gambling, testing positive for illegal substances, or killing someone when driving drunk.

Can we let Brett Favre off the hook now and see him just as a player wanting to play?

Can we stop calling him names? Can we appreciate the positive he has done in the NFL? Can we be glad he is just confused, not a criminal?

We can if we are ready to think rationally. I know we are passionate about our heroes. but if anyone deserves a break, especially in these tempestuous times, it's Brett Favre.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger a Rapist?

iowa chick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:43:08 -0400

Other articles here and many sports sites report that Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is accused in a civil suit of several charges connected to an alleged rape that took place last July, 2008.

A senior shift manager who was in charge of VIP relations at Harrah's filed suit last Friday against Ben Roethlisberger saying he had held her against her will and raped her during his stay at Harrah's Lake Tahoe last July.

Normally the names of alleged rape victims are not identified, but the press has reported the alleged victim as Andrea McNully. She was a long time employee of Harrah's and had just been promoted in the VIP department.

Roethlisberger's attorney stated, "Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone, especially not Andrea McNully." This statement was unfortunate as it makes it sound like the alleged victim was especially not worthy of an assault. While this statement was in reports early on the 21st of July, it was not being reported later in the day.

Ms. McNully reported the major part of her job as VIP shift manager was to be sure VIP's such as Roethlisberger are content and happy with their hotel stay.

She had met him the night before as a VIP golf tournament began at the hotel. The next day, she claims, he called to say his television was not working. She states she could not find a technician and because it was her job to manage VIP relations (sic) she went to his room herself.

Once in the room she determined the sound on the television was working fine.

Allegedly, Roethlisberger blocked the door and did not allow her to leave, thus he is charged with one act of kidnapping, in addition to the sexual assault. He began to fondle her through her dress and then picked her up and threw her on the bed.

She states she was afraid because of his 6'5" 240 pound frame and felt he could really hurt her.

She states she protested and even stated "I am not on any birth control. You do not want to do this."

Ms. McNully also stated she did not file criminal charges because she was afraid management would take the side of the assailant and she would lose her job.

She did tell the Chief of Security who told her that crying and shaking was "overreacting" and that their boss would probably give her a bonus if she continued to have sex more often with Ben. Ben and the President of the company are good friends.

She reports he also said, "Why are you so upset? A lot of woman would love to have sex with the Steeler's quarterback."

She alledges there was then a cover up by Harrah's employees, including by the President of North Nevada Harrah's, who is a good friend with Roethlisberger. She named eight Harrah's employees in the cover-up.

In spite of her fears of losing her job, she was unable to continue anyway and was hospitalized later for depression.

Psychologist's Opinion

I spoke with a local psychologist with experience in sexual assault cases.

She stated, "He said-she said cases are always hard to prove. The alleged assailant also has unlimited funds to defend himself which makes the case lopsided."

"In general, women do not make these claims frivolously because their whole life will be exposed, most often with a negative slant."

However, the psychologist emphasized, she had no personal knowledge of any party to this case and could not speak to the veracity of the woman's claims.

"I do know," she said, "That her pattern of behavior is not atypical. Women think they can put these incidents in the past, but they find out soon that depression and anxiety and a sense of betrayal on the part of her employers will disrupt her life."

"On the other hand," she said, "Men with the wealth and fame of Roethlisberger are sitting ducks. My advice to them would be to never close the door when they are in a hotel with a woman they do not know well."

This case is sure to be a distraction during the current NFL season. After today's headlines about Michael Vick's release it will be interesting to see if this story receives the same publicity as incidents with NBA star Kobe Bryant and others.

How Brett Favre's Legacy Was Ruined By the Press

iowa chick — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:14:29 -0400

My phone rang at the ungodly hour of 6:00 a.m. this morning, a time I rarely see unless I have not yet made it to bed. It was my sister, a busy MD in a city a few hundred miles from me. "Brett signed with the Vikings! Did you get our tickets yet?"

She is referring to our annual trek to see the Vikings and Packers play. It's been a family custom since I was about seven. My sister and I both have birthdays in November, and my dad, a Wisconsin cheesehead before they had them, always took us to a Packer game in November for our birthdays.

My dad died a few years ago, but my sister and I continued the tradition on our own. But no, I had not gotten any tickets for this year yet.

I question her, "Are you sure about Favre? I went to bed at 1 a.m., and the story then was he was going to have his torn biceps tendon surgically corrected."

"Yes, I'm sure, the announcer on the radio just said so. He is a Favre hater, so he wasn't saying anything good about it, but he said Brett signed with the Vikings." Now, my sister is not a regular follower of offseason news, so this was the first she heard about this whole courtship.

I agree to get out of bed and do some research. She gave me her private work number and asked me to call her as soon as I verified the story and got tickets.

I drag to the computer in my bathrobe while I turn on NFL Network to see what's up. NFL is reporting Favre is heading today to Alabama to have surgery on his shoulder. That sounded strange to me, because I know Brett is anti-surgery.

I go to the ESPN website, and they report Favre is NOT going to Alabama and was NOT going to have surgery.

I go back to the NFL Network, and they mention what ESPN is reporting, but for the rest of the hour they stick to their story that Brett is on the way to Alabama for surgery.

I call my sister back. I get voice mail. I leave a message telling her it's just a rumor. No one has the same story right now, but no one is saying he has already signed. I have secured our tickets, however. Our tickets are about history, not about Favre.

I get in my car to drive to work, and the local sports channel is discussing Favre. One announcer says there are two men he never wants to see on a football field ever again: Michael Vick and Brett Favre. They have just disrespected the game too much.

HUH? Wasn't Vick IN PRISON?

He says the way Brett Favre is jerking us around this year is too much, and he should not treat his fans this way.

I come home at noon, and now even NFL is saying that Favre is NOT going to have surgery. Instead of saying they had a poor source, they act like Favre changed his mind this morning.

Through all this, even all the reporters on Favre's lawn have not seen him or heard from him. ESPN reporters have no text messages from Favre. It sounds like the Iron Man has, in fact, said nothing all along.

So, who is jerking us around? Who is turning the fans against Favre? Who is changing their story all the time? Who is ruining the legacy of this future HOF football player?

The answer to each question: the media. There has been no better example than today.

This summer may turn out to be the biggest rube of all. All the Brett Favre news this summer has been a fabrication of the news media. All those vitriolic remarks fans have been making? The press fed them the info.

This year, finally, Brett Favre is not involving the public in his offseason decisions. Good for him. Folks say, "His ego can't take not being in the news."

I have a better theory, "News channel ratings can't take not having Brett Favre in their news"—even if they have to make it up or go with something that is clearly rumor.

When Favre signs a paper, I'll believe it. I have yet to hear anything from the subject in question, Brett Favre—have you?

Do you think about the source of all the news you are hearing before you judge No. 4? That might be a good step for all of us.

If you are tired of the changing story of Brett Favre's summer, don't blame Brett. He's trying to do it differently this year.

Brett Favre To Play for 29 NFL Teams B/R confirms: The Rest of the Story

iowa chick — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:59:37 -0400

The news was broken late Friday by John Breech, Reporter Extraordinaire (Level Seven) of the BleacherReport.comthat Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, has been secretly talking to Brett Favre, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and the Mississippi Rumor Mill about playing for all NFL teams this year.

For clarification, Brett will not be playing this year for the Packers, the Jets, or, as was reported by John, the Lions.

Editorial staff has held onto this piece of the story while waiting for sources at the NFL, ESPN, Yahoo, FOX, CIA, and Wal-Mart to be certain there could be absolutely no primary, secondary or tertiary source connected to the story.

In this economy it had been decided at the owner's meeting that if Favre is really retired, the loss of No. 4 merchandise sales, in particular jerseys, would result in the layoff of another 120 employees throughout the NFL.

Fans and media alike have noted that Favre was released from the Jets after Mark Sanchez was drafted. However, the draft this year was about picking the best available man whose popularity would sell thousands of team jerseys.

This week Reebok confirmed that Sanchez jerseys had sold to the tune of 20,000, making them the biggest seller of this draft pool.

Only then could they let go of Brett Favre, the player who has sold more Jerseys than any player in the NFL for more years than anyone else has played in the NFL. Yes, your favorite quarterback also sells a lot but just not quite enough to keep everyone employed.

They called upon Manny Ramirez's rules interpreter to comb the rules of the NFL to determine how to keep Favre involved enough to keep those jerseys selling. It was determined that any rule could be made with less than (4x + 9y/2 squared) blackballs.

A hot topic was the fact that Green Bay had wanted to be the chief licensee for Brett Favre products. Since sales of jerseys are divided evenly in the NFL, it was felt it just could not be trusted to the smallest (though best, fastest, and coldest) franchise in the NFL.

Stories were leaked that Favre might be coming back to maintain interest in sales.

It was determined that Reebok would produce a No. 4 Favre jersey replica of every participating franchise. Conveniently, Minneapolis papers published pictures of Brett in purple so Goodell could see that a variety of colors do, in fact, compliment Favre's complexion.

Favre, then, would dress with the team, throw out the first pass, and then sign jerseys around the stadium. Several of the weaker teams hoped he could sell some PSL's during this time, too.

X-rays of Farve's damaged right shoulder were requested to be sure he could lift his arm often enough to put on and off all 29 different jerseys. It had already been determined putting on the pants did not aggravate his shoulder.

Starting Quarterbacks in several franchises have expressed concern. The NFL may insist that for each game Brett signs a "Do Not Compete" clause so he will, in fact, leave the field after throwing out the first pass.

Collectors have already been clamoring to have these jerseys sold in a complete set for a discount.

In an unusual moment of candor, Roger Goodell stated, "If it will help us make a few more bucks, you can be sure we will find a way to do it." He added he hoped they could find a way to fairly rip off NFL fans.

While this plan is still locked in a safe in NFL's offshore bank, when Reporter John Breech of B/R broke the news of Brett's itinerary, it was time to tell you...

The rest of the story.

Is Brett Favre on the Move? Private Jet Heads to Hattiesburg from Minneapolis

iowa chick — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:36:46 -0400

Rich Cimini of "The Jets Stream" reports that yesterday a private jet from Minneapolis landed at the Hattiesburg, Mississippi airport. This is the same airport that the Jets used when they flew down to pick up Brett Favre to whisk him away to New York.

Rich states that the private jet landed at 9:11 AM and departed back to Minneapolis at 4:11 PM.

He does not draw any conclusions, nor will I. No one knows if it was a group of Minnesota Vikings execs travelling down to woo Brett Favre, or the flight had nothing at all to do with Favre. Four other planes landed that day in Hattiesburg—of course, none from Minneapolis.

When it was announced that the Jets had released Favre, the door opened to a lot of possibilities (and rumors):

1. Brett has stated he wants to retire as a Packer and is ready to have his number retired in Green Bay. Plausible.

2. About a month ago Eric Mangini, fired coach of the New York Jets, now head coach of the Cleveland Browns, said he was regularly talking to Brett about coming to training camp to give his quarterbacks some pointers.

Mangini emphasized he was not hiring Brett because he was still a New York Jet and he could not hire him.

Is Brett going to become a quarterbacks consultant? That is possible putting these pieces together.

3. You fill in the blank. _______________ The world is full of possibilities for a living legend.

Just a Few Thoughts

It would seem surprising that Favre would sign to play with the Minnesota Vikings. He asked for that last year in reaction to the Packers telling him they did not want him back. He left the Jets because his throwing arm had a torn bicep tendon and refused surgery.

If the arm has healed, there was not much else to criticize about Favre's play last year. He was as good a quarterback and arguably better than any in the league before his injury.

My philosophy is, you only go around once in life, so do it all while you can. Whatever Favre decides will be how he chooses to use his time and talents.

I hope his fans and detractors can just settle back and wait until it is clear what's up. The "here we go again" comes when we, the fans, start wildly speculating when we have little information.

I do realize I have violated that very rule by reporting the private jet from Minneapolis to Hattiesburg.

You'll have to excuse me; it's 1:00 AM here, and I just had to tell someone...

Brett Favre Story Time From NFL Films

iowa chick — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:49:39 -0400

With the economy in the worst recession in memory, NFL Film sits atop a gold mine.

Sixteen—no 17—years of Brett Favre game film in the vault.

This is our first year with no Favre. Some fans are experiencing depression and withdrawal but know it isn't right to get him back to play.

So, NFL films, make my day.

I came upon this idea while watching a tape of the 1992 game in which Favre replaced Majik, the Packers' starting quarterback.

Early in the game, the announcers remarked that Green Bay was "just not that good of a team."

Once Brett came in and he led the team on a scoring drive down the field, the announcers gushed: "Can you feel a new energy in this team? Can you see the crowd is energized? What do we have here in this kid, Brett Favre?"

It happened that fast.

I had not remembered how bad the Packers were before Favre played, nor how exciting it became once his streak started.

Brett doesn't belong in some booth doing a play-by-play of today's players.

So, how about a weekly show—"Favre on Favre."

How about a play-by-play of his own games? He's got 291 NFL games to pick from.

No, even better, we watch Brett play (most likely with the Packers) and then in a TV break Brett Favre and, say, Steve Marucci, tell stories and anecdotes about that time.

Like "Dinner and a Movie" only "A Game and a Story." Think of the advertising revenue.

We have a whole generation of Favre fans who actually missed the beginning—they were busy learning to walk.

Let's see some of those great Packer games. I know they have 10 on DVD, but Brett has 16 years from which to choose. 291 starts in the NFL. If the show is once a week, it should be able to run a couple years.

I'd like to see any of his games from the Golden Eagles at Southern Miss, too. Brett can pick those that have a good story.

NFL Films presents: Favre on Favre.

I'll be watching.

How about a $1.6 million salary cap in the NFL? Owner limits and $50 Tickets!!!!

iowa chick — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:32:30 -0400

How was YOUR raise this year?

Ben Roethlisberger signed for $102 million over eight years, with $20 million guaranteed. Kellen Winslow sings for 36.1 million, with 20.1 million guaranteed. San Diego's Antonio Gates signs for $24 million for six years. Jeremy Shockey at New Orleans for $26 million for five years. James Harrison just signed with the Steelers for $51.75 million over six years. Albert Haynesworth breaks into eight figures.

Expected to ask for more: Jacksonville tight end Mercedes Lewis; Houston tight end Owen Daniels; and Oakland tight end Zach Miller. This list goes on.

Owners are escalating salaries to top talent and salaries of the rest of the players follow suit.

At the same time, player's agents are watching the market, and when one tight end makes a fantastic deal, they start making demands for their player.

Players claim if they don't receive these salaries, owners will pocket the increased profits from new stadiums and stronger, winning teams. Players also claim they needed high salaries because their playing life was limited.

Owners and Players Fight Over Money - But Who Fights for the Fans?

In that conversation, I never hear talk of the fans. Why not, instead of spending more and more money on salaries and into the pockets of the owners, lower ticket prices to the fans. If you have no fans you have no money to divey up. At this time, fans stretch our pocket books to make a game, but many have already been excluded due to prices.

Risk of Injury

Players argue they need high salaries because of the risk of injury and because their playing life is so short. This is probably the one legitimate claim.

Calculating Player's Salaries

I calculated that, say, I make $200,000 a year and I work 30 years. My life income will be $6 million.

On the NFL Web site, they claim the average NFL player plays five years (seems like it should be more, but I guess Brett Favre has spoiled us).

Accepting this figure of five years, I divided the six million I might make in my whole lifetime by five, and came up with an annual NFL player salary of 1.2 million paid per year over five years. This would equal the $6 million a well paid worker would make in 30 years.

I haven't taken into account endorsements. Players who make it past the five years will earn more than the $6 million, which I would give them for resiliency. I also did not temper the $200,000 a regular person could make for the years it would take to get to that salary.

So what would be the effect if top players were paid maximum 1.2 million a year? How much could owner's lower ticket prices and maintain a acceptable profit margin? How much of a profit is enough for Owner's when it is us, the fans being fleeced?

I challenge the NFL to appoint a fan Ombudsman to represent fan interests. I challenge owner's to consider a lower profit margin and lower ticket prices. How about a reasonable ticket so I can take my niece every game?

Finally, I challenge the players to remember why they are there. To the players it is all about winning, but your fans are rooting for you no matter. You are where you are because of the fans who love you or your team. Because of fans who reach deep into their budgets so they can see you, buy a beer and maybe a T-shirt or a jersey.

Many fans are shut out. Many more will be shut out as prices escalate.

Football: a game for the elite and wealthy? It wasn't meant to be.

Please, owners, agents, and players, make one giant step forwards towards the true roots of football as an All-American game. Get together to talk over salaries and owner's profits and do something constructive. Remember your fans. Make adjustments needed for lower ticket prices.

Why We All Have an Opinion on Brett Favre...Jets...Green Bay...Timbuktu

iowa chick — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:25:22 -0500

Now that Brett Favre has “officially” retired again, everybody still seems to have an opinion of what Brett Favre has done, is doing, or will do. Few football players elicit the passion that Brett Favre does.

Some don’t believe he is really retired; others believe he really is retired but still resent he didn’t stay that way last year. Yet others take him at his word and are moping around for how to fill their NFL dance card this fall.

Others hope this means we never hear a word about him again (and yet they love to read his articles).

This past year seemed to bring out the worst in NFL fans, to say nothing of Favre fans. Men who professed to be Favre fans plastered the Internet with pride stating they were now “Favre haters.”

People who defended Favre were accused of drinking “the Kool-Aid” and not being in their right minds.

Writers mocked Favre’s tears at his retirement announcement from Green Bay. No man who had changed his mind was ever under such fire as Brett Favre.

The rights and wrongs of Ted Thompson vs. Brett Favre were heatedly debated well into Brett’s season as New York Jet. (In some places, arguments still rage.)

Brett’s first 11 games with the Jets were largely ignored after the last five games went so badly.

While he was single-handedly credited with leading the Jets to victory through the Titans and the Patriots, he was blamed for personally snatching the Super Bowl from their hands (a team that had been 4-12 the previous season.)

Writers at various web sites even asked “Why are we so hard on Favre?” His accomplishments and character were compared to iconic Quarterbacks throughout history, and he was found wanting.

So why does everyone have an opinion on Brett Favre and why do so many love to hate him?

The answer seems both complicated and simple.

Brett like few others is a "People's Quarterback." He's not spending his millions on private Jets, famous SI models (although Deanna could certainly be one) and diamond earrings. People were angry he had only a $475,000 house in Green Bay.

He is like one of the people. Because of this, we all think he really is one of us. We think we know him. We think he’s a family member. We think we know the true Brett Favre.

We want to advise him, chastise him, compliment him, love him and hate him. All because there is something about him that makes it seem WE own him.

When Tony Romo is on a Yacht in the Bahamas, he's not like us. When Ben Roethlisberger flies his offensive players home in his own private Jet, he’s not like us.

When Tom Brady dates Giselle, he's not like us, and when Kurt Warner really relies on God to help him decide if he'll play, he's not like most of us.

But when Brett goes home and mows, he's like us. When he likes to sit in a tree, hunting or not, he's like us. When he wants to talk things over with his spouse, he's like us.

And when he can't make up his mind, he's like us. And most of all, when he makes glaring mistakes, he's like us. When he makes glorious passes, he's what we would like to be. Sometimes we don't forgive him that he can't do that 100 percent of the time.

And since he's the people's quarterback, sometimes we forget compassion, good will, forgiveness, allowing his humanness. We treat him like we would our brother who just really made us mad. But we do it publicly and with unaccountability.

We wonder why he couldn’t be a good boy and not upset the cart by leaving Green Bay to play elsewhere. We even refer to it as a “divorce”—Somehow Brett broke up our happy home.

We may at times see the worst of ourselves in Favre-times we couldn’t make up our minds, times we fought with our boss and lost, times we were openly self-assured only to be uncertain later. When we see ourselves in Favre, we get angry with him.

We may even say we “hate him.” He just isn’t supposed to have our flaws.

What we have to remember, is that these are also all the reasons millions have loved Brett Favre and he has been so watchable.

Brett displays his humanity; he shows love, excitement and disappointment. Favre refuses to be the one dimensional comic book hero we grew up reading. Instead, he stands before us publicly, unapologetic for being human, for being his own man, and, yes, for leaving the fold because he needed to.

I, for one, never want to give up the parts that make Brett Favre both legendary and human. He brought excitement to our lives as the flawed hero.

He could throw one into triple coverage and amaze us all as the Packers won the game, or, conversely, make us curse under our breath as a championship slipped away. Whether we won or lost, there was always a moment of Favre excitement in every game.

I know this year he has sent in his retirement papers; last year he never did. I accept him in all his glory, his earthiness, and his humanness.

Oh, and also as the Ironman who never missed a game in 17 years. That part is not like most of us, but we would like it to be.