Today, February 11th, 2009, Brett Favre officially retired from football. Stop your snickering, this time he's serious. Alright, to avoid being a total hypocrite, I must take back my last statement. Snicker all you want, snicker it up. In fact, let's put together the largest conference call in conference call history, just so we can all snicker together. Perhaps this is my chance to make the Guinness Book of World Records.
After hearing the news of Favre's retirement today, I struggled to a find more exemplary description of a boy crying wolf. After seeing Brett nail the "crying" portion of the program last year, only to return three months later, I really don't think there is one. Sure, Michael Jordan went away, completely sucked at a baseball for a couple minutes, came back, showed everyone why he's the best basketball player ever, left again, came back, played for some CBA team called the Wizards and finally moved to the front office. By comparison, Favre held the Packers hostage for consecutive off seasons, followed that up last year with an end of the season press conference, where he sobbed and talked about how he didn't have the fire anymore. When everyone basically said "We're cool with that, see you in Canton", Mr. Sassypants decided he wasn't getting enough attention, and came back claiming he was ready to go. Only this time, nobody believed the little boy, and went about their business. The Packers moved on, Favre threw a public fit worthy of eternal mockery, and had to go play for the Jets. As for what happened with the Jets...all I will say is this, I thoroughly enjoyed being at Qwest Field for the Seahawks/Jets game last December.
Sure, every player that has been as good for the sport as Favre has been for football, deserves the chance to go out on their own terms. However, that's kind of assuming "their own terms" isn't defined as "pretending to retire 5 years in a row". This brings us to the reason everyone is not so secretly snickering today.
Favre says he's done. I say the Vikings have a relatively vacant position at quarterback. And truthfully, how hard is it for you to picture the following. It's July, we haven't heard from Brett in a while. The Jets have corralled themselves up a free agent quarterback that can serve as a starter while mentoring their newly drafted quarterback of the future. But it's all good, because after watching Favre tank in December, the Big Apple wants him to get lost anyway. Vikings coach Brad Childress is set to hold a press conference, and everyone in the world knows what's coming next. Childress tells us that "After preparing for the Vikings for 17 years, Favre's transition into the Vikings offensive system will be considerably easier than it would be for any other player in game." Childress then goes on to tell us how "bringing Favre in just fits...", and that he "...can't wait to get started." Favre gets his shot at revenge. In fact, he gets at least two shots at revenge.
I'm not saying it's going to happen. What I am saying is that it's pathetically easy to imagine it happening. And unfortuately, I believe it would leave about 40% of "die-hard Packer fans" sporting a purple and gold #4 jersey. As for the other 60% of Packer fans, well, they'd just be a little more disenchanted with professional atheletes, and a little closer to breaking that rule of not shotgunning a Bud Light before 8 AM on game day.
So I beg of you Favre, leave the Wranglers on and stay home for good. The people of my beloved home state have suffered enough.
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What up bro? Well, I just wrote this long response to your Favre blog but apparently it went away when I tried to post it. My point was that Favre definitely hasn't been perfect but I put part of the blame on TT and the Packers organization for not forcing him into a decision years ago. By allowing him to take months to make a decision the first time he "retired" they set the precedent for years to come. I also dont believe that Packer fans would be quick to jump on the MN bandwagon. With the Jets it was easy being a Favre supporter as they are an AFC team and not a rival team. If he goes to MN (which I think would be a rather smart move IF he wanted to win a Super Bowl) the hatred for the ViQueens from their neighbors to the East would intensify to the point where an absolute establishment of disgust would set in that would be difficult to overcome. I truly believe he is done but stranger things have happened.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love the site and will visit frequently!