What's So Bad About Brett Favre?

Brett Favre is a despicable, ego-driven, legacy-destroying, traitorous 100-year-old diva who personally trashed the New York Jets season and is one step away from boxing Jose Canseco.

Whatever gets him the most attention.

That's what I've been hearing as the latest Favre retirement saga hits critical mass. And boy, are the masses critical.

I get why people are tired of the waffling. I even get why a lot of Green Bay fans wish Favre would retire to a Turkish prison with a cellmate who likes men in Wrangler jeans.

What I don't get is why so many people recoil at the thought of Favre taking another snap.

It's as if they are being chased through the off-season by a machete-wielding madman from "Friday the 13th." Pull off the hockey mask and it's that stubbly-faced good old boy from Mississippi.

He will not die, and neither will this story. But what's so bad about that? Or were you were really looking forward to that Minnesota quarterback duel between Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson?

The NFL is an entertainment product. And love him or hate him, few things would provide more entertainment this fall than Favre quarterbacking the Vikings.

"The pieces are in place," he said.

That Monday interview on HBO broke months of silence and triggered the usual reaction.

"Listen, Favre's 100 years old," Michael Irvin said. "Stop this already. This is killing everybody."

Irvin was downright generous compared to what Fran Tarkenton had to say a couple of weeks ago.

"I think it's despicable," he said. "What he put the Packers through last year was not good."

No it wasn't, but I don't think it rises to the level of despicable. Unless you are an ex-Vikings quarterback who is worried Favre might make people forget you even more than they already have.

"He's 39 years old," Tarkenton said. "How would you like it Ray Nitschke in his last year (playing for) the Vikings? Or I retired and go play for the Packers? I kind of hope it happens so he can fail."

Exactly.

As much as Tarkenton apparently hates Favre, he would be just as enthralled by his comeback as the 1,200 Minnesota fans who cheered the other night when Favre's name came up at a "State of the Vikings" rally.

They see Favre as the missing piece, or at least a much better bet than Jackson or Rosenfels. With him in the backfield, teams will no longer be able to put 15 players on the line of scrimmage to stop Adrian Peterson.

To which Jets fans say, "Suckers!"

They remember the Favre who threw eight interceptions in the final four games as the Jets fell apart. What people forget is how Favre was Broadway Brett early in the season. His arrival electrified New York and he even threw six touchdowns in a game. Then he tore a bicep tendon and turned into Ryan Leaf.

That led to the latest act in the Favre retirement drama. Will his throwing arm return after arthroscopic surgery last month?

"I went through it last year, and yeah I gutted it out or whatever," he said. "But it affected me and our team, and I don't to do that again. I won't do that again."

So a Favre-fatigued nation must again wait, watch and listen to the 249 ESPN reporters valiantly trying to stay on top of the story. Video of Favre throwing passes to the local kids has become a staple in this drama.

John Clayton has embedded himself with the receiving crew at Hattiesburg's Oak Grove High School. I swear I saw him miss a pass and the ball get stuck in his facemask the other day. Then Favre went to the Dairy Queen, where Chris Mortensen Twittered that he ordered a cheeseburger and a chocolate Blizzard.

The obsessed coverage is entertaining enough, but just wait until the Vikings open training camp. The Monday night game against Green Bay will be so big, ESPN might start another channel just to show it. And all warring nations on the planet will declare temporary ceasefire Nov. 1 to watch Favre return to Lambeau Field.

Sounds pretty entertaining to me, even if Favre risks tarnishing his legacy.

So what, it's his legacy.

Who really gets hurt here, except for Favre and all Minnesota fans who seem happy to take the risk?

If anything, the Tarkentons of the world should hope Favre keeps playing. If they're so sure he'll embarrass himself, what could be better than watching him do it?

As for Nitschke having too much class and loyalty to ever play for a team, the Packer connection didn't stop Jim Taylor from finishing his career with New Orleans. Reggie White made his last tackle as a Carolina Panther. Vince Lombardi left to coach the Redskins. Heck, Curly Lambeau himself moved on to lead the Redskins and Chicago Cardinals.

Sure, none of them had Greta Van Susteren chasing them for an interview, but if the saturation coverage of Favre's every move is getting to you, there's a simple solution.

Engage your remote control.

Even Favre's not on every channel. I bet that if his arm comes around and he's in a Vikings uniform in a few weeks, you'll be itching to tune in.

I don't know if Favre will play like he was born in 1909 and lead the Vikings to doom. Or if he will play like the Favre of 1996 and lead them to a Super Bowl.

I do know that either way, it'll sure beat watching Sage Rosenfels battle Tarvaris Jackson.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-19-2009 @ 12:35PM

bradgnoyes said...

I don't like Brett Favre. His actions over the last few seasons have led me to believe he's a pretty scummy guy. But I can tell you I would not give him a moment's thought if not for one thing: the media. As a sports fan, I appreciate sports stories that are about athletes performances on the field, but over the last ten years, particularly since the dawn of the internet (and now blogs), I've seen way too much column space and air time devoted to what goes on off the field, and the Brett Favre saga is probably the most ridiculous of all.

So the question is less about what is so wrong with Brett Favre, but what is so wrong with the sports media who can't seem to such the **** up about him?

6-19-2009 @ 12:55PM

leeamen said...

He's like everyone else. If hes wanted and still wants to play, why not. Brett

6-19-2009 @ 1:00PM

Stacey said...

Personally I think everyone should stop trash talking Brett and let him play if he wants to. I don't think there's any dispute that he's one of the best QB's to ever play the game, and if he can still play at almost 40, well good for him. Another thing to keep in mind is if Ted Thompson wasn't an idiot and hadn't run him out of Green Bay, he would still be a Packer. And anyone who wants to defend Ted with that decision, all I have to say is look at what the Packers did last year without Brett, and what the Jets did with him. Stop hating on Brett Favre and give him the credit he deserves!!

6-19-2009 @ 1:23PM

dustnthwind said...

if you're tired of him why pay attention or comment? i hope he comes back and wins a superbowl with minnasota,i enjoy his play

6-19-2009 @ 1:44PM

johnvdunleavy said...

Michael Irvin and Fran T hit it right on the head. IT IS oVER....GET ON WITH THE JEANS COMMERCIALS. Where will he show up next year with new USFL....he won once and the rest is absurd...please go away

6-19-2009 @ 1:59PM

Scott M. Lanham said...

Go Brett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6-24-2009 @ 3:25PM

tesoro5812 said...

Yeah, Bwett, go back to Mississippi, for good, you bum!

6-19-2009 @ 2:09PM

obamaizadope said...

Go back to taking 15 Vicodin a day, and leave us alone. I used to like this guy but enough is enough..

imshortyk said...

I think it's funny how Brett's almost forty and yet he's still one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. Vinny Testaverde played until he was 44, so this really isn't unheard of. It's only a big deal because Brett's a big deal. These are all the same decisions every older player goes through. Kurt Warner did last season, Rodney Harrison, Derrick Brooks, the list goes on. If he can play let him play. And trust me . . . he'll be a Viking this season.

6-19-2009 @ 3:11PM

T said...

Thats fine and all. But if he felt like playing a few more years, fine, HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER RETIRED. TWICE. Thats what is pissing everyone off. No one likes a flip-flopper. When he first retired he was on top of the world. Everyone appreciated him and waved him off into the sunset. He comes back. Hmm some intrigue and pure hatred from Packers fans. He plays with the Jets. He retires again! He was quoted as to saying this was this last time playing. A few months later and he wants to come back again. Farve is a flip-flopper and a liar. He's ruined his legacy and no one is smiling anymore.

6-19-2009 @ 3:04PM

nicholaswest3 said...

I have no problem with Mr. Favre playing as long as he thinks he can throw a football. What is starting to really annoy me, is the retirement right after the season, the heart wrenching sob story that it's really the end, then leaking out the stories that he wants to come back starting in March. If he wants to play let him keep his mouth shut and play. If he wants to retire let him keep his mouth shut and let training camp end before quitting. He appears to be nothing but a glory-hog who can't bear to be out of the media spotlight.

6-19-2009 @ 3:06PM

Scott said...

Hmmm, Why are people writing about how they hate hearing about Brett Favre? If they hate it so much, why are they even hear reading this?
It seems to me, that If he is too old to play, and not good enough to play, then why is everyone so afraid of how or where he will play?

6-19-2009 @ 5:20PM

I agree! Personally I love Brett Favre and want him to play as long as he can, but if you don't want to listen to it, then don't. Funny how the people who claim to be sick of the "drama" are the ones who keep going on and on about it. I really hope he comes back and sticks it to Ted Thompson! GO BRETT!!!!

6-19-2009 @ 4:43PM

dexterreay said...

I like Favre ,yeah he's old but Fran really cared about the Vikings and not his own ego ,he would admit Favre is the best option for the team for as long as his arm holds up.I'm a redskins fan and he could come bench Campbell till his arm goes I'd be fine with that.

Dennis said...

sounds like irvin has been snortin up again and blowin off again you would think a guy that got fired from ESPN would learn to shut up..and fran who cares what he says hes a nobody... if the man can play at 50% thats better than most at 100%. like most owners will say "its just business". if surgey fixed the arm..you may see the vikes in the playoffs...then of course everyone will say i told you he could play....go brett

6-19-2009 @ 4:48PM

Chef Franson said...

Don't forget Ted Thompson wanted Farve out several years ago..Farve was not to be Thompsons legacy..his guy Aaron Rogers is going to be his legacy. Farve, a little out of character tried to stick it to Thompson by signing with the Jets and as it turned out back-fired on him. But remember the Jets were 1 win away from the playoffs and as we know once in the playoffs anything can happen (ie. 2008 Giants. Jets make the playoffs and Farve's a hero. I say if he wants to play let him...he's been more exciting to watch over the years then 90% of the guys that played this game. If he fails he fails, if he wins he wins and as far as his legacy is concerned do any of us commenting on this really believe that a guy who spends the entire off-season riding his four-wheeler, hunting and hanging with his family in Mississippi actually cares what we think of his legacy..He'd be more enthused about a catfish dinner in one of Hattiesburg's great restaurants.

6-19-2009 @ 5:44PM

gluinc said...

Brett Favre is the greatest QB, who ever played in my opinion. Secondly the man played hurt or the jets would have gone deep into the playoffs. He carried them to 8-3, the team couldn't carry him when he was injured. The man is a winner period, and brought many of teams into the playoffs that never should have been there.

He will win make no mistake 1 losing season in 17 years, never missed a game come on. Diva the Guy is tough and want

7-17-2009 @ 10:04PM

MICHAEL said...

he never missed a game but cost the packers games from trying to play hurt boy thats helpful of mr. interception

6-19-2009 @ 6:17PM

Rick said...

Who are we to deny a person the right to a living.Would any of us want to be forced out or not have the right to work were we to still feel ourselves capable? Those athletes that are complaining are just jealous that Brett still has the ability, want , and drive to continue to play. Let's face it he didn't run a dog fighting ring like another quarterback. He's just a clean cut southern boy who happens to like wrangler jeans (even it's just for collecting a check.) Go BRETT!