Packers Fans Should Stand by Favre

We're well on our way to the inevitable. As much as Green Bay Packer fans may not want to think about it, Brett Favre, their 16-year icon, appears destined to play for the division rival Minnesota Vikings. How do the fans feel? Well, there are some who appear to be sticking with the team no matter what, while others are talking about following Favre wherever he goes -- even if that's to Minnesota. Who's right? Both of them have their points, which Bruce Ciskie will lay out as he essentially debates himself.

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There are certain things in life that are practically a lock to happen.

Among them is the idea that a famous athlete will waffle on retirement because he doesn't know when to shut it down.

As much as Packer fans love their team, none of Brett Favre's flip-flopping could possibly have been a surprise. Does it please them that he wants to play for a division rival? No, but should that stop them from hoping Favre continues to add to his Hall of Fame credentials?

Let's take a look at the reasons for Packer fans to stand by their (old) man.

The Packers Had to Know

Come on.

After two straight offseasons of hand-wringing over Favre's future, did the Packers really think it was going to be as easy as a tearful announcement?

When Favre went to the Packers in March of 2008, just weeks after his initial retirement, said he wanted to come back, and then changed his mind again, that should have been the ultimate sign.

Why, then, would you go about making changes in your offense and fully installing a new starter, with no thought in your mind that Favre would attempt a comeback in June or July?

You're Messing With the Wrong Guy, Ted

Ted Thompson may be an old-school football guy, but he can't be this dumb. In an ideal world, yes, you wouldn't have to deal with the shenanigans of a guy like Favre. This is hardly an ideal world, and while Favre may be a diva, he's our diva! You don't just trade the best player in franchise history because he has a bit of a complex and can't decide when to retire.

Thompson knew, when he walked in the door, that Favre had been allowed to basically run the place under the old regime. That's not Thompson's fault, but it became Thompson's problem. Deflating an out-of-control ego while also keeping that person on board with your plan can be difficult. Frankly, Thompson didn't do a very good job of it, as he seemingly preferred to have Favre do things the Packer way or go somewhere else.

If Favre was truly an out-of-control ego at Lambeau Field, and there was no desire to work with him anymore (no matter his popularity among the fanbase), then it's Thompson's responsibility to explain the decision as such.

Saying "We've moved on" 375 times doesn't explain anything, since it makes Thompson sound like a guy who wasn't prepared for the inevitable.


Ted Thompson: Cold-Hearted Football Executive

Thompson brings a lot of the criticism on himself. He's just not a media person. The general manager often appears robotic and unapproachable during press conferences.

Since the Packers are a publicly-owned franchise, they have a shareholders' meeting every summer. Last year, almost 10,000 people showed up at Lambeau Field to hear boring speeches about the state of the team's finances and what things look like on the field.

The highlight of the day was an autograph session with Thompson that took place after the speeches.

Annette DiZinno, a Greendale resident wearing a pink Favre jersey, said she politely asked Thompson to explain his decision but got an unsatisfactory response.

"I said, 'Please explain to me why,' " DiZinno said, pausing to hold back tears. " 'I'm a lifelong Packers fan. Why, if you don't want him to play somewhere else because he can do well there, why he can't do well here?'

"He wouldn't even look at me; he wouldn't answer my question. I said, 'I'm distressed and could you just answer my question?' "

Thompson eventually replied by saying, "There's a lot of distress."

I know that the Favre topic was probably a matter of annoyance for Thompson and his staff by this point in the summer. However, part of the job is making sure the public understands the decisions that are made. Thompson simply didn't do a very good job of this all the time, and he's taken a serious hit in fan support because of it.

He's Brett Favre

You don't just grow up the way many 20-something Packer fans did and stop rooting for Brett Favre on a dime.

Every live game you have ever seen had him as the Packer starter. You got jerseys, t-shirts, hats, pictures, posters, and even Fatheads with Favre's image or name on them.

In return, Favre has never been arrested, never publicly fought over a contract, never held out, never publicly thrown his coaches under the bus when the team wasn't doing well, and was always willing to help local charities, sign autographs, and mingle with fans.

Players came and went. Some showed up and didn't stay very long. Others overstayed their welcome. Many guys missed significant time with injury. Favre was the constant. He was always out there, never missing a start once he got the job in 1992.

Favre and the Packers seemed like the perfect marriage, and you were glad to grow up witnessing it.

Now that the two sides are (for now) apart, you're torn. On one hand, you'll always be a Packer fan, but the image of Favre was always a driving force in your fandom. You tried to embrace Aaron Rodgers last year, but it wasn't the same.

He talked like a football player talks, instead of like the plain-spoken Favre. Rodgers looked to be popular with his teammates, but you just didn't see the boyish enthusiasm, and when you did, it seemed fake or forced. No one will ever lead the Packers like Favre did, and you just want to watch him play.

Favre Will Return to the Packers

No way this doesn't happen.

In fact, I'd be shocked if it didn't happen within a year of his "real" retirement, whenever that is. He will sign a largely ceremonial contract and retire with the team he became famous playing for.

He will be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame, and people at the ceremony will talk about how silly it was that Favre behaved so vengefully. Favre himself will stand up at his induction, embrace Thompson, and give everyone a photograph for the ages.

When he goes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after retirement, Favre will be surrounded by more Packer fans than the city of Canton or the state of Ohio can even fathom. Hordes of No. 4 jerseys will be worn for the first time in years to commemorate the occasion.

Yeah, some guy will show up with the same name and number on a purple jersey, but nobody will give him a lot of grief. He has every right to appreciate what Favre did for his team, whatever that may be.

Knowing this will happen, is it really that big of a deal to root for Favre to get one more shot at glory, no matter what color he may be wearing at the time? After all, it's not going to kill anyone if the Vikings have a really good year, is it?

You don't buy these arguments? Try these on for size, instead.