Brett Favre Betrays The Packers, and Other Ridiculous Assumptions

Brett Favre called Matt Millen and talked about the Green Bay Packers. Allegedly.

He did or did not offer advice on how the Lions might stop the Packers. Supposedly.

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to win the World Series. Maybe.

This ridiculous back and forth game of assumptions between the media, fans, and the actual people being accused has gone far enough. It was bad enough with the entire Favre retirement situation, which was aided by the media and misquotes in imploding.

The ending could have been avoided, or at least could have been a little cleaner. But no, we like sloppy, don't we?

And what's with this story coming out of nowhere now? Was Matt Millen bored? Did he miss the spot light so badly that he wanted to be in a story that sparked talk of conspiracy, cheating, and ethics? While I wouldn't put it past him, it's highly unlikely.

In an public statement on Wednesday, Favre gave out head-shakes and sighs as he said," I did not call the Lions, and I didn't call Tony Romo."

There it is, people. Clear, fine print, right for you to read. Right for you to believe.

I mean, really, why do we find it so hard to just believe the guy? He said he didn't say anything inappropriate. He admitted something we all know, that there's nothing he could possibly tell Millen or the Lions about Green Bay that they wouldn't already know. He had nothing to gain. Millen had nothing to gain. Matt Millen was just looking for a hunting buddy.

Jay Glazer should be ashamed of himself. Who knows how he got this story, who leaked it, and why he saw this as a big deal, but with the end result, one thing remains very clear: Hot news will always be more important than respect.

Brett Favre is a legend, yet the media continues to treat him as if he's not. He stood before the microphones and cameras, even though he didn't want to, and he answered everyone's questions.

No, he didn't do anything wrong. No, he didn't betray the Packers. And no, he wasn't sorry for having a (shriek) conversation.

BREAKING NEWS! This just in: Brett Favre called his mom and said that all of this has become an annoyance to him.

And if you can't give Brett Favre a break, try giving Mike Holmgren one. Yes, he's going to cash in Seattle's season because they're 1-5 and he wants to go coach San Francisco next season. Why, because he was an assistant there 20 years ago? Sure, it'd be cool and make sense, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.

The guy is tired. He's worn out from trying to answer questions, trying to fix his team's problems, and attempting to meet expectations. This is what happens to a successful man. His triumphs consume him, if he's unfortunate enough to live through them.

Two ex-Packers, two sad men. Both are facing the media at a staggering pace, pushing away cameras on their way to public restrooms. Just let them eat their steak without interrupting. It's just one meal.

But getting away from the quotes and misquotes, there is something else going on in the NFL that has come to my attention. It's the fact that the off-field antics have begun to out-weigh the actual on-field performances and production.

All pre-season long we listened to Chad Johnson (or whoever he is), only to watch him do almost nothing and lead his team to a disastrous 0-7 start. What a classy guy. Running his gold mouth until it went out of style, leaving fashion to stare mediocrity in the face. Yet, behind closed doors, why would I not be surprised to see him smiling? because, while on the field he isn't winning, off the field he already has. He's got his money, his fame, and he's already registered himself as a great NFL receiver.

He wants out of Cincy'. Playing poorly for a season does two things. It shows the Bengals who's boss, and it boosts his ego. He gets his money, the spotlight, and he won't be a Bengal for long. Yes, Chad Johnson wins again.

And sadly, we're the ones who lose.