In February of this year, upon his second retirement from the NFL, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was very clear about his initial return to the league. He reneged on his first retirement as the Packers opened training camp in 2008, and was traded to the Jets for a draft pick.Favre told Peter King of Sports Illustrated that he, at least in part, wanted to "stick it to Ted," a reference to current Packers general manager Ted Thompson. On a conference call with Wisconsin reporters Thursday, though, in advance of his first-ever game against the Packers Monday night, Favre denied ever saying that.
Asked about getting revenge against Thompson, Favre made it clear.
"Never was motivated for that reason, so no. That has nothing to do with it."Of course, this is the opposite of what he told King. Later, speaking to media in the Twin Cities, Favre tried to throw a cover over his earlier remarks.
... "it wasnt about revenge to begin with. ... I felt like I could play. I think I proved that last year. Being released by New York and talking to Minnesota, I still had to have the surgery to play at a high enough level. I eventually decided to have it, so here I am."
He also said he would never play for revenge and that his comments to Peter King in February -- "Part of me coming back last year, yeah, was to stick it to Ted Thompson" -- were ..."about six months, maybe." And that's the only difference.In late January, Favre's Green Bay successor, Aaron Rodgers, stopped by Super Bowl festivities in Tampa, and he did an interview where he was asked about Favre. Rodgers stated that he had tried to reach out to Favre, but the veteran and future Hall of Famer didn't return his calls.
Favre's version of events is a little different. Again, we go back to the conference call with Packers media.
Why haven't you reached out to Aaron Rodgers: "For what? No one's called me. I talked to Driver every once in a while, and some of the older guys."If Favre is to be believed, King conveniently misquoted him on the most important part of the story, and Rodgers is apparently a flat-out liar.
It's obvious that Favre is trying to downplay Monday's game as much as possible. Only time will tell if the high emotions still present in this divorce are too much to ignore once the lights go on.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-01-2009 @ 2:54PM
halen11 said...
1. When will this story die?
2. Can you actually 'renege' on a retirement?
3. The literalist headline 'Favre... Calls Aaron Rodgers a Liar' feels like a lie in itself.
4. I like football, so does everyone else who reads this site. There are so many more intruiging and unique angles to take on this Green Bay/Minnesota or Favre/Rodgers storyline than this Perez Hilton angle. Please just write something interesting.
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10-01-2009 @ 6:40PM
Laura said...
Obviously...he's playing again isn't he?
10-01-2009 @ 3:06PM
John said...
You know, Bruce, I have to agree with halen11. You guys just can't get through a week without Favre-bashing.
Personally, I hope it is all about revenge. And I hope the score is 49 Vikings - 0 Green Bay. Then Maybe Murphy will have the intestinal fortitude to get rid of Ted.
And as far as what happened last year, Ted Thompson might have been the one holding the knife when Brett got stabbed in the back. But I think Aaron Rodgers was right there demanding it happen. "Get rid of Favre or I will look for a new home when my contract is up." And Mike McCarthy egged it all on.
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10-02-2009 @ 3:04AM
Schmitty said...
John, your an idiot. Thompson has done a very good job reshaping the Packers after Sherman single handedly butchered the roster. Know your facts first before letting your emotions get in the way of logic. Favre plays on his emotions like a female. Period.
10-02-2009 @ 8:46AM
John said...
Schmitty said...
Thompson has done a very good job reshaping the Packers after Sherman single handedly butchered the roster.
Right! That is why Favre went 13-3 in 2007 and Rodgers went 6-10 last year. You can't blame Ted. It was all those inept players and coaches that sneaked onto the team without Ted knowing. Had he known he had such inept people he would have done something about it. Yeah - it's not Teddy's fault.
10-02-2009 @ 12:02PM
Schmitty said...
Just like I said John, YOU ARE AN IDIOT. This roster has been transformed into a team that will be successful for years to come. Look at Dallas and San Francisco after there Hall of Fame Quarterbacks retired, and each retired once I might add, it took them many years to get back into being a successful team. Thompson has this team headed into the playoffs in its second season after its Hall of Fame quarterback retired...and came back...retired...and came back again. John, get your head out of Brett Favre's *SS for a second so you can see the light of Green and Gold again.
10-02-2009 @ 12:13PM
John said...
Schmitty said...
Just like I said John, YOU ARE AN IDIOT. This roster has been transformed into a team that will be successful for years to come.
You know, Schmitty, you're just like all the other know-nothing football experts. All you can do is make personal attacks against the rest of us.
I might remind you that the Packers are not doing well at all this year. Their first win came from a comedy of errors by the bears in week 1 and last week's win was with the worst team in the NFL. They lost to an average team.
As for rebuilding, the Packers have something like 15 players going into free agency after this year. that is something like 28% of your team. do you really think Thompson will be able to retain all of them? I don't.
10-02-2009 @ 12:21PM
Schmitty said...
John, that is your come back? There not doing very well? I guess 2-1 is OK, but not for John. You talk about being like the rest of the so-called fans and bashing other fans. It is you John that took the easy way out and are blaming TED THOMPSON for not running after your little queen after HE RETIRED. Get over it John.
10-02-2009 @ 12:59PM
u2rajoke said...
you are both idiots. how bout that! The packers will not make the playoffs anyway. The Vikings will make the playoffs and may win the super bowl. Not that I am a vikings fan. I say let Favre play until he is 80. Leave the guy alone. He still makes impressive comebacks ( i.e. last week ) He throws blocks too, unlike most of the gay QBs of today. He is still old school and I got MAD respect for him...and so should you. Shut up already!! You could be a fan of the Redskins like me. Try that on for size! We SUCK right now. I wish we had Favre...or even Rodgers for that matter.
10-01-2009 @ 3:25PM
VIKINGSOBSERVER said...
"Dittos halen11 & John!"
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10-01-2009 @ 5:01PM
Fink said...
Your headline is misleading, unprofessional, rotten journalism and it sucks: Favre "Calls Aaron Rodgers a Liar." Losers: your reporter and editor like to trump up controversy and create news where there is none.
the story says Favre said Rogers never called him.
Are inaccurate misleading stories what you want?
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10-01-2009 @ 4:43PM
Leftyfixit said...
I hope to see a Great game between Two 3-0 teams battle it out to see who is the best in the NFC North. Tell all of the Favre and Rogers bashers to take a hike. We have Two great teams playing for the top spot. Hopefully all of the hype and bashing can be put aside so that we can see a great football game. And Yes I Am a Vikings fan.
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10-01-2009 @ 5:47PM
imshortyk said...
Green Bay's 2-1, actually. It's a vie for a tie, not supremacy.
But anyway . . . yes, enough with the Brett bashing. I have taken a notice to the lack of haters now that he's lead the Vikes to 3-0 and saved them in the third game (him and Lewis). This story is kinda lame now. Brett's the man, and I believe he'll prove it this Monday.
And no, I'm not a Vikings fan. I'm a Buccaneers fan . . . T_T Woe is me!
10-01-2009 @ 5:03PM
Brian said...
Others touched on this, but I want to emphasize it. Saying that Favre called Rodgers a liar is misleading, probably intentionally so. Poor journalism.
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10-01-2009 @ 5:20PM
Neon said...
As a former professional sports writer, in geeneral, I have to agree with the other guys Halen11, John, VikingObserver, Fink, etc., on the bad headline (which may not be the writer's fault--we have editors who often just look for a catchy line and never really concentrate on the story to make sure the head makes sense, I've been burned by that, myself.) However, the story itself is a waste of reading time. There might've been a better angle to take.
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10-01-2009 @ 5:22PM
laffwriter said...
However, as you can see from my spelling of general, we DO need those editors sometimes! :o)
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10-01-2009 @ 6:52PM
mcjesus666 said...
this story feels as old as farve does.......
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10-02-2009 @ 8:22AM
Me said...
How do you know how old Favre feels ?
10-01-2009 @ 7:15PM
brainslug said...
Brett, why do you have to lie about it? We all know what you said about Thompson, do you think we are fooled that easily? Just when I think I can accept you again, you pull some stupid crap out of your a$$. I'm done listening, whether Green Bay beats you or not talk to us in January . . . doubtless you'll be home after the first round.
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10-01-2009 @ 7:31PM
VIKINGSOBSERVER said...
Brainslug, you forgot to pull the slug out of your brain! You're sounding like Charlie Brown's school teacher, "wha, wha, wha, wha whaaaa!" What the hell and who the hell are you anyway??