I won’t ever forget that first presser Brett Favre had with the New York Jets. Frankly, he looked like Theoden before the Battle for Helm’s Deep — “How did it come to this?”
How indeed. No doubt the Jets were far more sure of themselves than Brett was. They were ear-to-ear just thinking of the jerseys they were going to sell and the news they were going to get. Finally knocked the Giants off the back page!
For Brett, the timing was about perfect. The preseason had just started. All the OTAs and the difficult parts of training camp were over. He would need to learn the playbook, play a little in the preseason and then be ready to go week 1.
September 1, 2008 — Right before the start of the regular season, Brett sat down with the New York media and talked a little about his divorce from the Green Bay Packers. Brett said he felt that he was obviously the guy that gave the Packers their best chance of winning, and that for them to not welcome him back because they were afraid of “upsetting” Aaron Rodgers was “totally ridiculous.”
Something else Brett had never mentioned before was that Ted Thompson had stopped by right after the draft to visit with Brett. During the visit, Ted told Brett the Packers were going to send him his locker back, you know, rather than having it sit there like a shrine. Brett thought it was ridiculous, which is probably what Ted and Mike thought of Brett’s separate locker area in the first place.
Did he think it was a coded message? Well, Ted Thompson had just drafted two quarterbacks, so perhaps it was. But Ted doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy to bother coding his messages.
September 28, 2008 — Brett throws for six touchdowns in a victory over the Arizona Cardinals, which is more than he ever threw while playing for Green Bay. The Jets are 2-2 after four weeks, which is the same record as the Packers at that point.
Deanna Favre would later admit that they followed the Packers to make sure that Brett got more wins than Aaron. It was important to them. Good thing, because that was the only measure in which Brett would outdo Aaron in 2008.
Brett and the Jets played well through the first 12 weeks of the season and were 8-3. With Tom Brady out for the season, the door in the AFC East was flung wide open for the Jets to waltz through. Unfortunately, the last five weeks happened. The Jets dropped four of those five and Brett played terrible, ending the season with an even 22 TDs and 22 INTs after a fast start.
Topping it all off was the fact that the Jets were eliminated from the playoffs in week 17 by a Dolphins team led by Chad Pennington, the quarterback the Jets dropped so they could start Favre. In the game, Brett threw a hilarious INT to a defensive end that went for a touchdown and like with the Packers, his final pass for the Jets was an INT.
If the Jets had made the playoffs, the Packers would have gotten a second-round pick from his trade. Instead they got a third. However, that third was one of three picks that the Packers traded to the New England Patriots to get their second first-round pick of the 2009 draft. With that pick, the Packers selected Clay Matthews.
Packers fans on either side of the fracture would have little to celebrate. The Packers went 6-10, including losing five of their last six. Aaron Rodgers did, however, make it through the entire season and he finished with over 4,000 yards, 28 TDs and 12 INTs. Those numbers were very similar to Brett’s 2007 campaign, not counting Aaron’s 200+ yards of rushing and his four rushing TDs.
It would later be learned that Brett had a torn biceps tendon in his right shoulder. It would also be learned that the Jets knew of Brett’s injury as of week 12 and never reported it. Brett’s playing streak would continue, but another coaching staff would bite the dust, as Jets coach Eric Mangini was fired. He and Ray Rhodes can have a drink and reminiscence some time.
February 11, 2009 — Without fanfare this time, Brett announces his retirement from football once again.
February 16, 2009 — In an interview with Peter King of SI, Brett says that he will probably get the urge to come back, but that he won’t this time due to respect for Jets GM Mike Tannebaum. He says he will not ask to be released.
April 28, 2009 — Right after drafting Mark Sanchez, the Jets release Favre. It took a year of playing in New York to get there, but Brett finally has what he wanted from the Packers all along.
July 28, 2009 — A report surfaces that the Minnesota Vikings have been trying to talk Brett out of retirement. He says he is committed to retirement, for now.
August 19, 2009 — Despite Brett and the Vikings disavowing it for the last couple weeks, Brett signs with the Vikings. It is again about the exact same timing as with the Jets. The Vikings are done with training camp and are through one game in the preseason.
People forget that the Vikings were 10-6 and division champs in 2008. They were a good team without stability at quarterback. Brett would echo his words in 2007 by calling the 2009 Vikings the most talented team he’s been on. Brett knows the offense, is friends with the offensive coordinator, and best of all, Brad Childress is another sychophant for a head coach that Brett can walk over before ultimately getting him fired.
November 1, 2009 — The Vikings and Brett Favre come visit Lambeau Field. It is the matchup the media has been yearning for. For the local media, this matchup is about more than Brett, though. It is about a Vikings team partially built through free agency — Antoine Winfield, Steve Hutchinson, Bernard Berrian, etc… versus a Packers team built almost entirely through the draft, which drives the media nuts.
Brett is soundly booed by the Lambeau Field crowd. For the second time against the Packers, Brett plays very well and the Vikings win an offensive game 38-26.
In what is a surprise to virtually everyone, even his fans and something to be marked, Brett has a spectacular 2009 campaign, quite probably the best of his career. He throws 33 TDs against a career low 7 INTs. That is the only time in his career that Brett threw less than 13 interceptions.
The Vikings go 12-4 and advance all the way to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints.
January 24, 2010 — The Vikings are their usual selves in championship games, meaning self-destructive, and the Saints have a bounty out on Favre. A banged up Favre throws an INT on the Vikings’ final drive when a simple run out of bounds would have given Ryan Longwell a chance to send the Vikings to the Super Bowl. The Vikings never get the ball again. The Saints win the toss in OT and take their first drive for a winning field goal.
This is the third season in a row that Brett ended with an INT and the second straight NFC Championship game that he finished with one. If he would have stayed retired, his final pass for the Packers, Jets and Vikings would all have been INTs.
As agonizing as the 2009 experience was for loyal Packers Nation, it could have been much worse. Regardless of Brett’s resurgence and performance against them, the Packers were a good team again and their return to a contending team was led by their young quarterback. In 2009, Aaron Rodgers had what is arguably the greatest season for a Packers quarterback up to that time. He threw for over 4,400 yards, 30 TDs and 7 INTs, while at the same time rushing for over 350 yards and 5 TDs.
The Packers finished 11-5, only one game worse than the Vikings. It was predicted that the Packers and Vikings would dance again in the playoffs. However, the Packers lost in the first round in a game where Aaron Rodgers was spectacular, but the ineptitude of the defense was even more so.
Regardless, Packers Nation now knew that they had another special quarterback on their hands.
August 18, 2010 — This time Brett didn’t retire. He simply didn’t say anything and the Vikings never asked him to. The Viking coaches, players and fans do about everything they can to encourage Brett to come back, including billboards in Mississippi, fan letters, and visits from Childress and Brett’s closest friends on the team.
Brett does what anyone who has been paying attention should figure he is going to do; he waits until the preseason starts and then reports to camp. The Viking fans and players are thrilled. Of course, Tavaris Jackson is their back up.
Similar to why he retired in the first place in 2007, Brett has said that the chances of another great season and a trip to the NFC Championship game are remote. He is right. Neither he nor the Vikings around him can get their act together in 2010. After being amazingly injury free in 2009, several cogs of the offense, including at the receiver position, go down to injury. In response to this, the Vikings briefly acquire Randy Moss from the Patriots. The media wets their pants at having their favorite QB and WR together.
The honeymoon is quickly over. Moss can do nothing to help the stumbling Vikings or Favre and he has an attitude problem — big surprise. He is released with Childress famously calling him a “programatic non-fit.”
Having blown their window in 2009, the mighty Vikings with their roster of free agent pickups don’t have the depth to overcome their injuries or deal with players simply getting older. The younger and better Green Bay Packers roll by them in both games. First, in a tight game at Lambeau Field, where Brett played well until a late INT for a TD to Desmond Bishop put the Vikings behind. The rematch in Minneapolis would be no contest and better illustrate the direction that each team was headed. The Packers would blow out the Vikings and Brett Favre, 31-3.
December 13, 2010 — Brett Favre’s miraculous starting streak is over. He has a bum shoulder and is inactive for the game against the New York Giants. The remainder of his season would be much like the rest, unremarkable. He would finish with 2,500 yards, 11 TD and 19 INTs. In other words, his career would end as most players’ do — with a whimper. The Vikings return to their rightful place in the NFC North — the cellar. Brad Childress is fired before the season even ends.
January 17, 2011 — With the Packers rolling through the playoffs, Brett Favre finally files his retirement papers. This time there is no coming back.
February 6, 2011 — The Packers win Super Bowl XLV and Aaron Rodgers is named Super Bowl MVP.
To all reasonable members of Packers Nation, the organization has been vindicated. Aaron Rodgers is another potential Hall of Fame quarterback who could lead the Packers to multiple Super Bowls. All but the most Favre fanatical would agree that possibly 15 years of Aaron Rodgers is better than a couple more years of Brett Favre, great as he was. Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy put their jobs on the line in choosing Rodgers — much like Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren once put theirs on the line for Brett — and they were right.
Once in a while I like to think of what could have happened if Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy had taken the easy way out and given Brett his job back. Rodgers was under contract until 2009. There is no reason to think Brett wouldn’t have played at least through 2009. Rodgers could have easily refused to re-sign with the Packers, who gave him the starting job only to take it away when Brett came calling.
In 2010, the Vikings needed a quarterback. They could have easily signed Rodgers. How different things would be.
So, much of the divide has been healed, but not all, nor will it likely ever be. The Favre fans who hate Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy are still out there. We just typically only hear from them after the Packers lose. Their Jets or Vikings No. 4 stay in the closet if they weren’t sold on eBay. But that is okay. Even without the jerseys, their colors are easy to spot.
Maybe the only thing that could completely heal the rift would be an apology. Do I think we are owed an apology? It doesn’t matter. An apology least expected is the one best received.
The ball’s in your court now, Brett.
To read the first two parts of the Brett Favre saga, go here (part one, part two)
Screw the prima donna!! He thought he was bigger than the game and found out he wasnt!! And did not like that at all. The Packers took good care of him for many years and he repays them like a spoiled child who didnt get his own way. He can kiss my a$$…..
No one is bigger than the Pack!! (well except maybe Lombardi!!)
Favre is a national treasure. I cant wait for his standing ovation from the fans this coming season. I imagine it will be similar to Jimmy Dugans return to baseball, waving and muttering behind his smile, “this is bullshit and you can all kiss my ass.”
good work. excellent reading. maybe you should write a book? I know it would sell. It is truly a shame the way it ended, but IMO it went to the script that BF wrote. I have the Min @ GB game in 2010 recorded. When I watch it I am not surprised at how he got booed very loudly when he came on the field and booed even louder when he left after the game. He was being cussed as he limped to the visitors locker room. He seemed to take way too much pleasure in trying to beat the Pack, and I don’t think that sat well with Packers fans. Now, those who are BF fans first, they don’t seem to be too annoyed by it. I still think it isn’t the right time, yet, for a kumbaya with him. I don’t think he or his family is over their “hurt”, and a good deal of fans aren’t either. read the comments on any story about him. Just as much, or more, negative than positive. How about it, Bob? whatdya think?
Nice commentary Monty. Fair representation of the saga. I will always be a Farve fan – I am old enough to remember the years between the 60’s and the 90’s when the Packers were never any good – once Brett came to GB – they basically made the playoffs for 20 years. It was a fun ride. TT should have just given Brett his release. He ended up with th Viqueens anyway.
I agree with the “real Russ” here. It’s still a little early, but the organization will likely try and push it so his number is retired and in the ring PRIOR to HOF induction. He basically spearheaded Lambeau field’s re-build, helped create our current streak/dynasty/whatever….and he also got PAID $12mil a year to wear purple and try to stick it to the old boss….both sides really won in the end. It was also kinda awesome watching my Viking friends wear number 4 jerseys when they hated him all those years…and then watch them emotionally implode at “choke” time during his last NFC champ game.
You write that only now in hindsight. The bullet fired just barely grazed us. But for a fluke technical 12 man penalty, the Vikings would likely be Super Bowl Champions.
gawd, makes me cringe just to read your last sentence.
Ist two articles pretty accurate except I didn’t see where Brett referred to Ted as a Fag or anything about when Ted said within earshot of Deanna that Brett would never olay another down in GB after the interception in the NFC title game. 3rd article is pretty one sided. Brett actually had a brilliant year with the Jets until he got hurt. I never agreed with everything Brett did but he was fun to watch. Like most QB’s he did have some “I’m the King” syndrome. He played great in the title game against N.O. even though N.O. was clearly playing beyond the rules. I understood Ted had to see if Rodgers could play but his complete disdain for helping Brett (& all of us) get another Super Bowl is unforgivable. He could have released him with thanks for a great career or traded him to the Vikings and got a #1. Either would have spared us all a lot of heartache.Piss on Ted! I hated the thought of Brett as a Viking but we were not going to win anyway. Rodgers is a fine player but won a Super Bowl by getting in at the last. Pack wouldn’t have gone to the playoffs with one more loss and look at the 1st Minn. game. Refs gave Pack 8 points or they lose. Nfl even admitted to calls and without the fumble by Pittburgh, Pack probably doesn’t win SB. I’ve seen Rodgers throw a ball out of bounds at the end of the half rather than risk his stats on a Hail Mary into the end zone. Aaron is a fine player but may never win another SB – who knows. I don’t know why we have to run Favre down. He’s like a lot of us that hate our boss and want to get back at him. He sure was a breath of fresh air when he came around and showed up for workEVERY Sunday. One man’s opinion.
Rodgers is a “potential” HOF’r? hahaha. Go ahead and take that to the bank.
Im sick of these BF lovers. No one person is greater than THE PACK. No one player is going to make or break a team (look at “All Day”) BF forgot this simple fact. He made it all about him. Even ignoring his commitments to his wife by doing im sure more than just a crotch shot.
All this paints the picture of somebody who had great power and phoned in the responsibility.
He was once my child-hood hero. My John Wayne. Now, Id just as soon spit on him as even speak his turn-coat name.
For him to apologize, any where close to heart-felt, he would first have to be humble. Which is something as familiar to BF as an Eskimo to a cactus.
Favre and the Packers got a divorce. Shit just went bad between them. But junior’s still mad at his Daddy for leaving and hasn’t worked out his anger issues.
Meanwhile, Daddy went out and got himself a new punch, and almost took it all the way to the altar. And that left Junior still stewing in his own juices, crushed because the ‘Father Knows Best’ ending he had all planned out just ain’t gonna happen. A kid who just can’t get over the fact that even though Mommy went and found a new man after Daddy left, got the big house on the hill and everyone’s living happily ever after, he’s still gotta be pissed at someone because they jacked up his happy ending he’d hoped for.
Now fuck the fact that Daddy and Mommy had 16 great years together. In fact, had they not had that time together junior wouldn’t even have anything to bitch and moan about. They had some great times, some bad times, just lived a full and entertaining life. Daddy was a helluva man who just made a bad choice and fucked up as humans are wont to do. He decided that it was better to follow his heart and go live his life on his terms, not on his wife’s and junior’s, because that’s what men do. But in junior’s world, someone’s gotta pay, because Junior ain’t gettin’ no rest until he has his pound of angry flesh.
Somewhere there’s a dead horse asking if he can just get some peace and quiet.
Anyone guess who junior might be?
I hear what you are saying. but all do respect, a real “man” is going to put himself last and support his family, especially junior first and foremost.
The “man” throws away his selfish tendencies and, for lack of a better term, grows up. Hopefully before junior out-matures him and by extension loses respect for said “man’s” inability to act his own age
Junior isn’t mad at the world, he’s mad at the potential of an irreplaceable role model being squandered on themselves.
Junior takes a lesson from it, be the opposite to be a real man.
(realize I am talking as a guy who has adopted a child not of his own loin but the product of his now fiance’ and a former “lover” who decided to be a “man”, do what he wanted, and not be anywhere close to a father)
I salute you, Tucson Packer, and I’m going to paraphrase an epic line from Boyz in the Hood- from one Laurence Fishburne… aka. the Man.
“Any moron with a dick can have a baby, but it takes a real man to be a father.”
Hahaha too true, thanks Shawn
Hear, hear.
This shit is deeper than a Brett Favre spiral.
This is a false analogy that bears absolutely no scrutiny. Berty is not our father. THe Packers existed for well night a century before he came to town. And we are not his children.
And like the idiotic analogy comparing persons who lost their job working for a competitor, superstar athletes just do not have lives and problems like the rest of us.
Easy now. It’s an analogy and as such can be neither true nor false, but rather an observation or point of view meant to inject a little perspective and maybe even humor into an issue that was overcome by events a long time ago.
Me thinks thou doeth protest too loudly, junior.
Be happy in your new house on the hill and try to forgive Daddy his shortcomings. Try to remember him for the man he was and all he did for you when was with you.
Again, Berty aint my Daddy. I marvel at the homoerotic undertones with which you Berty nutlickers fawn over the guy.
And yes, some analogies are totally false, do not bear any scrutiny. It is true, perhaps, that few analogies bear close scrutiny. But some–like yours–just make no sense whatsoever.
Sorry to break it to you.
Own it man, because it owns you.
To quote Jane Goodall:
“You do not know how wrong you are.”
In order for this analogy to work, Daddy first has to have texted dick pics to his secretary, then fallen off the wagon and started screwing the that white trash town whore who lives in the trailer park. She’s a loser, has always been a loser, and took daddy down with her.
Except the white trash town whore is not our sworn enemy.
Pat,
Watch the falcons playoff game. Arod was playing an arcade game.. He’s the man, wasn’t last year proof..
Need him to win 15 games again?
championships always take a little luck. Deshawn Jackson doesn’t get hurt in philly we probably lose. Whats your point on that?
I will never forgive Favre for throwing that ball to Corey Webster. I swear he had his eyes closed. Can’t wait to see what happens this year..
Pat you are obviously brain damaged. Please move onto the Vikings forum and never grace our presence again. You have no clue what you are talking about Pat. Please refrain from any more idiocy.
Is junior the clippers owner?? I’m confused!
I thought that junior drove # 8 or was it # 88??? I am confused.
Pat, I told you that you yesterday that you wouldn’t like part 3. Just remember that Shawn didn’t even mention certain photos of a SB ring and a johnson.
Shawn, again really good work. Damn fine job!!!
Brett Favre should be happy he got out of a team that was hijacked by peanut buffers. What is going in that little inbred town for goodness sakes? There’s a lot of KY Jelly in their QB’s ass and a GM seeking man love. That’s a lot of queerdom for such a small hick town.
Only you, DD, would be able to fit 3 homosexual references in four sentences.
I guess practice makes perfect.
Didn’t Deanna and her crackhead sister take a picture with a Viking fan who had a custom #4 jersey that said “Thanks-Ted?”
Even better, remember when Nick Collins picked off Favre with that crazy, acrobatic, flying through the air interception?? Sweeeeeet….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFO9UzLIGZo
well that’s over. a little on the sloppy side, the slant is plain, but the facts presented close. a more neutral approach would have been nice, but it shows that there is some hurt all the way around. it will be interesting to see down the road what becomes of AR when he is on the past his prime stage. but for sure, the uniforms will still say PACKERS, no matter who wears them.
thanks, Bob.
Someone doesn’t agree with your opinion and you’re brain dead, not a Packers fan, an idiot and go to a Vikings forum. Intelligent. Ed west, I watched the Falcons game. I’m not taking anything away from Rodgers – He played well. Ted will probably squander his talent like he did Favrers but he’ll sure have plenty of 7th round draft choices stockpiled along with 7th round talent. What I remember about the Philly game was David Akers missing 3 or 4? field goals after he was told that week his toddler son had cancer. And that was the point-that it was a flukey championship in my opinion.
As for the Giant game, there were several calls or plays that if we get one, we probably win. Al Harris had a miserable game and the coaches didn’t get him any help until it was too late. His interception was overturned by pass interference. Collins roughing the passer call was brutal. Jared Bush tried to pick up the fumble instead of fall on it, Ruvell Martin let one of Favrers rocket balls into traffic go right through his hands like a field goal through goal posts.Would have been chip shot FG. Favrer missed a guy wide open in the end zone. A year a so later I saw a replay, the receiver was obviously held and that’s why the pass wasn’t complete- no call. And of course Favrers interception. It was however -3 degrees, we had no running game and every play I just mention was a game changer. Still sick about that game.
Again my beef is with Ted. He didn’t want Favrer. He had to find out if Rodgers was a player or risk losing him. Fine – let him go or trade him where he wanted to go and get a #1.
Remember I never said Favrer was flawless. I said he was fun to watch.
One last thought. What would all of you good people be thinking or saying if Aaron turned out to be a bust? It was a gamble – he was not a sure thing. What if the 49ers had taken Rodgers and Alex Smith was there at 24 and we now had Smith?
Ted was right not to want Berty, all things considered. As for the rest of your rant, it can dismissed with the missive “and ifs and buts were candy and nuts.”
I will also add when I see your moniker I think of Pat from SNL.
For me, it is really simple. Did you ever wear purple and gold during 2009 or 2010? If so, you should lose your Green and Gold privileges, sorta kinda how the Hells Angels strip imposters and traitors from the unauthorized use of the red and white and their winged death’s head logo.
Pat, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, and nor do you. What if Ron Wolf didn’t trade for Favre? What if Reggie White didn’t choose the Packers? Favre would be a Super Bowl-less HOF QB with great stats, that’s it. What significance do your stupid hypotheticals have on anything. Here’s the facts, short and simple. Favre was a great QB, loved watching him as a Packer, ruined his legacy as a Packer because his ego got in the way. Shawn’s articles were spot on, and exactly what I remember how all this bull shit went down. Favre’s fragile feelings were hurt because TT and MM put their foot down, and were sick of his stupid retirement games every season, asking them to put things on hold and beg him to come back each year. Not how a man should act. Thank god they did, otherwise we would be talking about what QB the Packers should reach to get this year in the draft.
Pat, talking about the “breaks” the Packers got in 2010, when they had 18 guys on the IR and two of their losses were only because Rodgers got a concussion, is beyond convenient amnesia.
I also always find it HILARIOUS when someone suggests the team that then went on to win 19 straight games was some sort of aberration or was “lucky.”
The Packers were beating Philly the entire game. If Jones catches that pass, the game is over at halftime.
The Packers were asking for a #1 from Minny or Chicago. Neither would agree to that. So, getting a #1 for Brett wasn’t an option.
If you just let Brett go, then he has two chances to win a Super Bowl with Minny instead of just one. Screw that.
It was Ted’s job to do what was best for the Packers. That meant trading him outside the division and getting what you could for him.
With the pick that Ted got, he was able to get Clay Matthews, and you say, release Brett and get nothing? No way.
Exactly!
You people are incorrigible. Once again if you don’t like someone’s opinion, he is stupid, should lose his green & gold privileges, doesn’t know what he’s talking about. NONE of us know the whole story. My comments are opinions. If I knew Farve, I might hate him. If I knew Ted I might love him. I read everything I can but that doesn’t make me an expert or right all the time, like you all.
Iltarion, you make some valid points-it may not have been a #1 from the Vikes-I thought I read somewhere that it was. Even if it’s a 2 or 3, if you don’t think you can win a championship with Farve, why would you think Minny could? Then you hose them out of the highest draft choice you can for a guy that you think is over the hill and is only going to be there a short time. They lose the draft choice for what you think is damaged goods. I think Ted wouldn’t make that trade out of spite and vindictiveness. Thus my distaste for Ted. Again just my opinion. All of your opinions are just as valid as mine.
Now I’m sure one of you brain surgeons will have something disparaging to say, so go ahead if it makes you feel better. Just be aware that I won’t see it. I have no further desire to communicate with people that have no interest in civil discourse.
You did not answer the question, and I really think this is most dispositive. Were you–or were you not–pulling for the Vikings in either 09, or ’10, or really anytime?
I say you are a turncoat who was. If so, I wish physical harm against you.
As to the rest of your tiresome screed, you miss the point. The test is not whether Berty was overall the hill or a lesser choice than his successor, the question is whether he would make the Vikings a Super Bowl Championship. Very clearly he did.
Rodgers arguably made the Packers better in 09, at least in terms of their long-term future. He certainly did in ’10 and beyond.
But Berty in 08 took the Vikings from being a 9-7 team, which is what they were with Tavarius Jackson, to what they were in 2009. That truly was a team that ONLY required a first rate quarterback. Great defense, monstrous running game, great special teams play.
*THIS* is exactly why Ted Thomspon did exactly as he should, doing what he could to stop the Vikings becoming that caliber of Super Bowl contender. The reasons you hate Ted are the reasons we should all be eternally grateful to the man. I know I am, every single day.
Great job, Shawn! How refreshing to read a piece nowadays about a volatile issue that provides the facts, gives fair insights, doesnt try to jam an agenda down your throat, and trusts the reader to draw his own conclusions. Well done.
I tried to remain objective too while reading despite my ongoing “To hell with Favre” attitude. Thus, I am here to proclaim that, having thoroughly reviewed the subject matter once again, my attitude has not changed. To hell with #4!
TT, on a macro level, did all the right things & made all the right decisions. There is no question about that now. He acted in the best interests of the Packers and we are all better for it. However, he did bungle the transition when you consider he had 3 yrs to chart & find an amicable path with ARod already in his pocket. How & why? I think because of Favre’s durability…..the Packers didnt really know or trust what they had in ARod yet. Thus, they became dependent on Favre, made promises, and surrendered some of their hegemony by allowing him to dictate the timeline & decision making process. That gave Favre enough rope to hang them both & paint each other into a corner until TT finally said “Enough.” TT & the Packers, imo, should have never let the lines be blurred between who was the employer & who was the employee. TT was right in saying “enough” but there could be a case made that it should have never been allowed to get that far in the first place. They let Favre hold them hostage….a scenario both the Niners & Colts avoided when they let Montana & Peyton go. Those two understood it was business because it was presented as such to them. Favre wasnt afforded that because he was promised the door is always open…and when it wasnt anymore, it became personal. Hence his scorched earth demeanor towards the Packers afterwards.
Having said THAT…lol…I believe the Packers did the “right” thing for Favre albeit the incorrect thing for franchise. And Favre’s inability to recognize that the Packers afforded him that respect or to even consider the Packers position.. and to then go on a vendetta against us, only highlights his selfishness, his bloated sense of worth & ego, and his disgusting sense of entitlement. The man’s thirst for revenge turned him into a gang banger on a drive by….spraying bullets & not giving a shit who he hits as long as TT got wounded. What he failed to consider was that his legacy, his reputation, and the respect of thousands of Packer fans got hit too. We are the collateral damage of his choice. To hell with him. He pulled the trigger…now he’s gotta live with the consequences.
This story would be so different had 12 not turned out to be a football god. We really are the luckiest team in the world!!!
And the whole Favre texting photos of his junk thing….that was so creepy!
Hey Monty,
Nice article. Reminded me of the last time I wore my Packers Favre jersey. It was the vikings v the bears and we needed the vikings to win to get us into the playoffs. I drug the old jersey out of my goodwill pile and wore it to the Bears bar I go to with my bf (yes, we had our doubts when we met that we could be best friends). All those bears fans knew I was only routing for the old man cause it would help GB. After a disappointing Bears win, I headed to the bathroom and did my business before noticing the tp was out. I felt it a fitting end to my favre jersey at the time that I used it to wipe my ass before putting it in the garbage. Now I can look back and appreciate the good days he gave us, but I still usually answer the “Whatta you think about Farve” question with a playful, “Who?”
Thanks and keep it up Monty :)