Brett Favre Runs a Lap: 'It Is Kind of Funny'

Jets quarterback Brett Favre and center Nick Mangold fumbled an exchange during today's practice, and that meant that Favre and Mangold had to run a lap, just like every other Jet who commits a turnover:

Jets coach Eric Mangini is one of the few NFL coaches who uses the old Pop Warner standby of forcing players to run laps when they make mistakes, and Favre said he found it funny, and that he had never done it before. Favre's comments about running the lap, as transcribed by the Jets' PR department, are after the jump.

On running a penalty lap with Nick Mangold after fumbling a center-quarterback exchange...

It is part of (being on) the team. It's not punishment. It's more of a team unity thing. Nick (Mangold) and I ran it. I told to Eric (Mangini) day one that unless I pass out, I am going to try to do everything that everyone else does. I'm no different aside from being a little grey headed and a little bit older. Tony Richardson and I combined have 33 years, that counts for something. But ultimately it is about the team. Is it to get into shape? No. Is it a punishment? No. It is a reminder of how important the team is.

Brett Favre Photos

New York Jets NFL football quarterback Brett Favre (R) runs a lap around the filed with team mate Nick Mangold after fumbling a snap during practice at the team's training camp in Hempstead, New York August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre (R) runs a lap around the filed with teammate Nick Mangold after fumbling a snap during practice at the team's training camp August 10, 2008 in Hempstead, New York. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre gestures during practicing at the team's training camp August 10, 2008 in Hempstead, New York. REUTERS/KeithBedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets NFL football team quarterback Brett Favre gestures during practice at the team's training camp in Hempstead, New York August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets NFL football team quarterback Brett Favre signs autographs after practicing during the team's training camp in Hempstead, New York August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Quarterback Brett Favre of the New York Jets football team practices during the team's training camp in Hempstead, New York August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre waves to fans as he signs autographs after practicing during the team's training camp August 10, 2008 in Hempstead, New York. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre signs autographs after practicing during the team's training camp August 10, 2008 in Hempstead, New York. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Quarterback Brett Favre of the New York Jets NFL football team practices during the team's training camp in Hempstead, New York August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

On the last time he ran a penalty lap...

I don't know if I have ever run a penalty lap.

On if he ran one in little league...

Maybe little league, maybe. Some coaches believe in doing things like that. It all serves its purpose in the end. You are trying to build unity. In our situation here, you are trying to build chemistry. There is a great mixture of veterans. When I say veterans, I am going from eight games to 15, 12, 10 years. A lot of those (experienced players) or faces are new here so we have to build some chemistry pretty quickly.

The crowd was cheering and all of that stuff. I am not embarrassed by it (running a lap). I think it is kind of funny, but yet it serves its purpose. I think things like that are important in the fact that everyone is involved in it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

8-10-2008 @ 3:09PM

dokovacich said...

How many people in New York will be laughing after missing the playoffs again this season and having BF quit on them in the postseason? Not many. AR may end up being a bust in Green Bay, but at least they won't be held hostage every postseason by a player who sees himself as bigger than the team.

8-11-2008 @ 2:57AM

merlin said...

Once again, those who know nothing, try to say it all. Brett has never held GB hostage. He has only been willing to give up his own money to help get players, only kept the Pack competative when TT, trades away our linemen, running backs, and recievers. Has kept Aron Who?, in a job. If Arron had been on any other team they would have cut him the first time he sat out the season injurded, much less the second. Has the "BEST" winning percentage of any QB in GB history, and has made MM look like a brain child. I could go on, but you look like you need more koolaid...

8-10-2008 @ 3:57PM

Oh No Romo said...

He's cutting corners! Somebody tell Sal Paolantonio!

8-10-2008 @ 4:38PM

Frederick said...

I hope its 5 laps per INT

8-10-2008 @ 5:15PM

kyle said...

eventually we'll have to run out of Favre headlines, right?? What's next: "Favre still pees Packer yellow!"

8-10-2008 @ 5:20PM

judy said...

I SAY IMPEACH THOMPSON AND MCCARTHY
BRETT WILL AWLAYS BE NUMBER ONE. I WAS BORN A PACKER FAN UNTILL NOW, I WILL NOT CHEER FOR THEM ANYMORE.

8-10-2008 @ 8:00PM

PJ said...

It should make Brett feel much younger. That's a plus after his comment on the grey hair. The Jets have a new fan to cheer them on this year. Go Jets! Go Brett!

WI PJ

8-10-2008 @ 8:19PM

BUFFALOBILL said...

I'm surprised the old fart could even run a lap!!!

8-10-2008 @ 8:36PM

Trevor, Dallas Fan said...

He better get used to running laps, the King of the INTs.

8-10-2008 @ 9:11PM

anne said...

One to talk about Favre .You have MELT DOWN TONY.They can not win a Play off Game.

Go Tom Tom and The Patriots

8-12-2008 @ 8:44PM

Doug said...

"King of Interceptions" yeah Brett has tossed more picks than anyone in NFL history. How many QB's play EVERY game for 17 years? Of course he threw more interceptions. He threw more of EVERYTHING. Which is why he holds every significant QB record in the NFL. Try to think about the whole picture before you you start chewing feet. He had a great season last year and is perfectly capable of repeating that with better receivers and a better offensive line in NY. If you're going to naysay, try not to display your ignorance like a neon sign.

8-10-2008 @ 9:07PM

pat said...

Ya know Bret knows football and He'll take the jets to new hights no doubt about it you just wait ,, I hope He andthe jets Soar through the atmosphere !!
Green bay will Soon learn how much of a mistake they've made! And I'm a GREENBAY FAN, they made the same mishandling when Holgrm left ,They just havent got managment skills up there !GO JET's GO FARVE !!

8-10-2008 @ 9:26PM

Tiger said...

Bret should really hang it up. He's is over the hill as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He is too old, his skills have dimenished and he lacks the desire. It's painful to watch a great talent hang on beyond his time.Take the advise of an old pro and retire to the pasture.

8-10-2008 @ 9:40PM

Green Bay Fan said...

His skills are diminished, oh, i forgot he had his best season in 9 years last year, what was it , um, a little over 4,000 passing yards and his highest qb rating. Yeah his skills are diminished.

And im still a Green Bay fan, even though they did something stupid.

8-10-2008 @ 11:02PM

debra said...

Tiger,Rocky Balboa was told he was to old,why slam the man,he prolly plays better football than you im sure,tiger.
Go Farve and kick some A$$
A New Fan,The Girl