Brett Favre Is Spiteful; Who Knew?

I think it's about time to just accept reality -- we'll never stop hearing from or about Brett Favre. He is more powerful than even the saddest of athletes who can't resist an opportunity to get a headline, and more savvy than we give him credit for -- under the "awww shucks" exterior lies a man who will exploit every last bit of his newsiness, even if it means saying something that makes everyone say Well, duh.

Brett Favre Photos

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of The New York Jets looks to pass against The Buffalo Bills during their game on December 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. According to reports February 11, 2009, Brett Favre has informed the New York Jets he will retire. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Getty Images

** FILE ** This is a March 6, 2008 file photo showing Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre getting choked up as he talks about his retirement during a news conference at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc. Brett Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)

** FILE ** This Sept. 28, 2008 file photo shows New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre acknowledging fans as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

** FILE ** This is an Oct. 19, 2008 file photo showing New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre walking off the field after the Jets lost 16-13 in overtime to the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

** FILE ** This Aug. 28, 2008 file photo shows a fan of New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre, Kelly Odenwelder of Allentown, Pa., holding up a sign during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

** FILE ** This is a Nov. 2, 2008 file photo showing New York Jets' Brett Favre during the first half of the NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets.(AP Photo/Dean Duprey)

** FILE ** This Oct. 26, 2008 file photo shows New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre throwing against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen, File)

** FILE ** This Dec. 21, 2008 file photo shows New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre walking along the sideline in the first half against the Seahawks in an NFL football game in Seattle. The Seahawks won 13-3. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

** FILE ** In this Nov. 2, 2008 file photo, New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre looks on after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets.(AP Photo/Don Heupel, File)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Channing Crowder #52 of the Miami Dolphins pressures quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 24-17. (Photo by David Drapkin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre;Channing Crowder

Getty Images

Peter King, obviously, is willing to make it easy for Favre by giving him a seemingly open forum. Which brings us to this.

The reality, Favre knows now, is he not only wanted to play again, but he wanted to show Green Bay -- particularly general manager Ted Thompson -- that it was making a big mistake in going forward without him. "Part of me coming back last year, I have to admit now, was sticking it to Ted,'' he said in a rather startling admission.

Again, Favre is a savvy guy, so I have a hard time believing that he's oblivious to the fact that he's only giving himself more rope to hang from, which makes me think that he simply doesn't care. But career suicide by the figurative noose is what Favre has continued to commit, and each quote or soundbyte that exposes Favre's "good guy" act as a sham (a fact that should be obvious by now) is just another shovel full of dirt preparing his grave.

After all, we can certainly replace "gunslinger" with "liar" as the go-to adjective for No. 4 after he's displayed an uncanny prowess at unsuccessfully convincing the public of one thing before revealing later that the truth in our minds was the truth in reality. This time, it was his ridiculous assertion that he wanted to play for the Jets strictly out of the love of the game.

Right. Anyone who loves the game as much as Favre has claimed wouldn't so quickly desecrate it just for some headline space.

The funny thing? While the Packers struggled in sub-mediocrity last year, all Favre has done since leaving the Packers is reinforce that Thompson's decision was the right one.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

2-16-2009 @ 1:36PM

MsLucky said...

I don't think he was trying to stick anyone until they wouldn't let him back in, which is very childish if you think about it. Left a bad taste in our mouths for the GB fans. Everyone loved him and he should have gone out respected for all he did for the game and the team. Instead he left with us with mixed feelings. I hope he means it this time that he is retiring.

2-16-2009 @ 2:47PM

brendenlyons said...

I don't know how anyone can be shocked by this. I respect his talent as a football player, but goodbye and good riddance.

2-17-2009 @ 8:01AM

Hugh Jassol said...

This is a "stunning confession"? Let's see: Guy gets "fired". Guy goes to work for the competition and wants to stick it to his old boss. Wow! That's some earth shaking news you've got there. Got any more big stories? Here's one for you: I got up this morning and had to pee. Now, that's big news! What a joke...

2-16-2009 @ 1:40PM

dapuck28 said...

I agree. While Favre is one of the greatest of all time, it is sad that his legacy will have to end this way. He should have gone out as he did, retired as a Packer.

2-16-2009 @ 1:42PM

globalsetback said...

come to Minnesota win a superbowl then retire Bret

2-16-2009 @ 1:44PM

tendertimesdc said...

How disappointing to hear this. I had great respect for Brett and have been a GB fan forever. I will still continue to be a GB fan, but there is a sense of loss without Brett. Oh how I wish he would have just stayed retired. He would still have the respect and love from GB and surrounding NFL teams. So sad, Brett, go retire. You really messed up by coming back. :(

2-16-2009 @ 2:01PM

Michelle said...

First let me say that I am MOST DEFINATELY a lifelong Packer Fan. This whole situation has truly made me so angry. The majority of Us in Wisconsin KNEW that was his intention. The fact that those Favre wanks supported his selfishness is beyond Me. The Fans here once treated Him as if He were a "G*D"..NOW all He is here is a BIG JOKE. Way to go Brett for ruining what tiny respect You once had!!!! LMAO How sad....

2-16-2009 @ 2:11PM

mdyblgal50 said...

Wow you can tell by that article that the author / sports writer does not like Brett Farve. Isn't it funny how he slams Brett about constantly being in the news / news hound. Hey if it wasn't for Brett Farve, Tom Mantzouranis you wouldn't have nothing to write about. Or if you did no one would read your column. So quit slamming Brett your the one trying to grab headlines.

2-17-2009 @ 12:04AM

kent108 said...

The author doesn't have anything against Brett Farve. We are just simply tired of him thinking he is bigger then the game. What annoyed me about Brett was his intrusions into other player's contract negotiations. Where does he come off telling people what to accept? Brett says he came back to "stick it" to ted Thompson...but look how he ended the Jets season...9 interceptions in the last 5 games. Thats almost 3 picks a game not to mention that he didnt have the heart to even win one game to propel the Jets into the playoffs...what did he prove?

2-17-2009 @ 10:22AM

ski4fun120 said...

Kent108,

Where did you go to school? 9 picks in his last five games is almost 3 a game????? You must be another fine product of the Green Bay school system. Oh, By the way in Chicago they taught me that 9/5 = 1.8 interceptions per game. That would be less then two per game not almost 3.

bobbren1 said...

At one time I really liked Brett but after listening to him cry so many times about retiring and then the Jet thing I have lost a lot of respect for him.

In reality he played the game longer then most but only won one super bowl.
Most of his records were set due to the length of time he has played.

I think he does like the headlines and I believe not only did he have something to prove to Green Bay but in some way he thought as a Jet he could beat New England again and walk away with two rings.

2-16-2009 @ 2:16PM

Speak for yourself Michelle. I am also a life long packer fan, as well as a Brett Farve fan. I still am both. It to bad you believe everything you read instead of looking at the man himself and listening to what he says. Not what everyone else says he says. As far as I'm concerned if I don't hear it coming out of his mouth I'm not going to believe it. Those of you who do believe every stupid thing you hear are idiots.

2-16-2009 @ 3:10PM

wakko66 said...

You're kidding, right? Which thing that comes out of his mouth do you believe? The first? The second that contradicts the first? The third which claims never to have said the first? Good lord. Get your head out of the cheese & pay attention. The man has more faces than the hall of presidents!!!

2-16-2009 @ 2:24PM

JB said...

MsLucky, speak for yourself. You don't represent all Packer fans. I think he stuck it to us by the way he jerked us around the past 4 years. Good job Ted. Good riddance!! Go Aaron!

2-16-2009 @ 2:54PM

Brian said...

Good luck with Aaron...when he's hurt this year and wimps out...like he ALWAYS DOES! Packers need to start planning for a real future and I doubt Aaron will take us anywhere without a defense.

2-16-2009 @ 2:52PM

Here is the problem all the Time Warner writers don't like favre...but on the same note they LOVE him. Because it gives them something to complain about. Favre would likely go into the shadows and live his life...but people like this author won't let him. I'll always support the guy. He was/is a great QB one of the best the league will ever have. It's a shame that the public and the news media turn on a guy when all he wanted to do was play. Comments are comments it doesn't change what Ted did....

brett101 said...

brett rocks. come out of retirement and play for the vikings :DD super bowl for sure. dont worry about all these haters talking crap. I bet none of them played football ever in there life.

2-16-2009 @ 3:27PM

66hof78 said...

I would give his #4 to the first skinny, walk-on, free agent punter that walks in the door. And give him the first locker to the right of the door. You won't be seeing any Favre statues in Green Bay.

2-16-2009 @ 3:28PM

howardfrankfort said...

A reporter who doesn't like Favre, where on earth did they find him. Reporters are THE worst. If only the athelete would confess, we would forgive him, the when he does the ahha police arrive. If this story isn't newsworthy, then this reporter should leave it unreported. The majority of fans are not as self rightegeous as reporters.

2-16-2009 @ 3:31PM

timbergarden77 said...

The idiot who wrote this sanctimonius piece of crap blog is a fool, and doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to what happened in Green Bay, or football in general. And all of these people who identify themselves as "Packer Fans" seem to share the same traits as the idiot blogger. I doubt Tom Mantzourasshole, or any of these Favre detractors, have actually watched more than a couple of Packer games. If they had, they would know that Favre carried that team, on his back, practically by himself, for most of the years he played with them. He had to try to win with pathetic coaching (Ray Rhodes, Mike Sherman, and occasionally, Macarthy), crappy defense, no running game, and mediocre lines. He HAD to throw risky passes to try to win games, since he had to win the game, or no one would, and his recievers over the years lacked speed ( and frequently, good hands). True football experts rave about Favre because they understand the game in its totality, not as some airheaded bimbo that moved to Wisconsin and wants to be in with the crowd. Ted Thompson is an idiot, and violated every rule of common sense, loyalty, and ethics, in his disrespectful, vindictive treatment of Favre. If any of you bigmouthed morons out there were as good at ANYTHING as Favre was, and were treated the way he was, you'd be trying to stick it to the person that ruined the end of your career too, you dumb assed hypocrites. By the way, the Packers SUCKED last year without Favre, and his great leadership.