As another football season is about to begin I feel obligated to air out my feelings on the Brett Favre situation. Let me first preface this post by telling you all that I live in PIttsburgh, PA. Which under normal circumstances would make me a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. But, be things as they may, I am a Green Bay Packers fan. I wasn't always a supporter of the Pack, in fact I never really had a team. That was until Brett Favre came to Titletown, USA.
Regardless of what your feelings are now of the man, Brett Favre took the NFL by storm. His blend of natural ability to make plays and a cannon for an arm quickly lit up the stage. Brett was unpolished and ready to win. He played with an edge and was always looking for that golden opportunity to bring the fans to their feet. He was tough as nails and was unfazed by the elements. The Packers quickly rose from bargain basement to penthouse and were quickly leading the NFL.
Brett's take no prisoners attitude caught my eye and I was hooked. As I learned more about the organization I learned they are the only team to be owned by the fans and not some billionaire. Yes they have a managing committee that handle the football operations, but from time to time they do open up the opportunity to buy shares in the franchise. You get to travel to coveted Lambeau Field yearly for their owners conference, but that is about the extent of it right now. I do not own a share yet, but if they open it up again you can bet I will be first in line.
My wife and I got a chance to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin a couple years ago and took in the majestic stadium and Hall of Fame underneath. I have to say it is like no other place in the world. The people are extremely nice. Even as I sat in the stands next to fans of the opposing team, there were no problems. Everyone got along and were there to enjoy the home of the Packers. I was completely taken aback by the experience. It felt like home. The stadium felt like a special place to be. Almost as if you could feel that aura around you of good. That you were among the few that got the chance to feel glory. And even though the Packers got pounded that day I will always remember how great it felt to stand in the hallway and look down at the bricks that every great Packer player crossed before heading into battle. I get choked up thinking back on it now. To me there is no greater franchise in sports than the Green Bay Packers. They are trailblazers. One of the first NFL franchises and winners of Super Bowl 1 and 2. The Super Bowl Trophy is named after their coach, Vince Lombardi, a pioneer in excellence. You didn't have to do everything, but what you did needed to be perfect.
Enough about the Pack lets get back to Brett. For 15 years was the face of the Packers. The team and the fans rose and fell with his accomplishments and flops. Fortunately for us Favre meant a lot of success to the team. With a Super Bowl Championship, Back to back Super Bowl appearances, and three NFL MVPs, Brett kept us all on cloud nine. Towards the end of Favre's days with the Packers he began to toy with the idea of retirement, a recurring theme that began to be a joke or nagging story for journalists. Favre would continue to come back. Then the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers.
Regardless of what your feelings are now of the man, Brett Favre took the NFL by storm. His blend of natural ability to make plays and a cannon for an arm quickly lit up the stage. Brett was unpolished and ready to win. He played with an edge and was always looking for that golden opportunity to bring the fans to their feet. He was tough as nails and was unfazed by the elements. The Packers quickly rose from bargain basement to penthouse and were quickly leading the NFL.
Brett's take no prisoners attitude caught my eye and I was hooked. As I learned more about the organization I learned they are the only team to be owned by the fans and not some billionaire. Yes they have a managing committee that handle the football operations, but from time to time they do open up the opportunity to buy shares in the franchise. You get to travel to coveted Lambeau Field yearly for their owners conference, but that is about the extent of it right now. I do not own a share yet, but if they open it up again you can bet I will be first in line.
My wife and I got a chance to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin a couple years ago and took in the majestic stadium and Hall of Fame underneath. I have to say it is like no other place in the world. The people are extremely nice. Even as I sat in the stands next to fans of the opposing team, there were no problems. Everyone got along and were there to enjoy the home of the Packers. I was completely taken aback by the experience. It felt like home. The stadium felt like a special place to be. Almost as if you could feel that aura around you of good. That you were among the few that got the chance to feel glory. And even though the Packers got pounded that day I will always remember how great it felt to stand in the hallway and look down at the bricks that every great Packer player crossed before heading into battle. I get choked up thinking back on it now. To me there is no greater franchise in sports than the Green Bay Packers. They are trailblazers. One of the first NFL franchises and winners of Super Bowl 1 and 2. The Super Bowl Trophy is named after their coach, Vince Lombardi, a pioneer in excellence. You didn't have to do everything, but what you did needed to be perfect.
Enough about the Pack lets get back to Brett. For 15 years was the face of the Packers. The team and the fans rose and fell with his accomplishments and flops. Fortunately for us Favre meant a lot of success to the team. With a Super Bowl Championship, Back to back Super Bowl appearances, and three NFL MVPs, Brett kept us all on cloud nine. Towards the end of Favre's days with the Packers he began to toy with the idea of retirement, a recurring theme that began to be a joke or nagging story for journalists. Favre would continue to come back. Then the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers would no doubt be the future of the organization but getting to the point where Favre would fade into the sunset and Rodgers would get to shine would be a tricky thing. As Favre continued to comeback management pushed more and more for him to retire. Eventually the situation would reach the point of no return. Aaron Rodgers only had one year remaining on his rookie contract and was beginning to vocalize his unhappiness with being the 2nd in command to Brett Favre. Favre still wanted to play. In fact, with a 13-3 record Brett lead the Packers to the NFC Championship.
After the 2007-2008 season management seemed to signal Favre it was time for Rodgers to take over. And in March a teary eyed Favre announced his retirement to the league. The news media had heard this statement before and as Rodgers took over rumors of Favre's return to football quickly clouded the airwaves. The problem was Favre was still under contract. He believed he could still play and wanted to be a starter. The Packers organization would not release Favre to any team that would play the Packers but wanted a good deal for him. Eventually Favre would play for the NY Jets for a season and be released.
So how did this make a Favre and Packers fan feel? I can tell you the first thing I did when it was announced Favre would be QB1 for the Jets was order his jersey. But that wouldn't deter me from the Pack. In fact the entire season I routed for both. With the NFL Sunday Ticket package from DirecTV I was able to follow both. Sadly, neither team performed well. Rodgers did shine in his role and until a torn biceps tendon week 12 Favre did too. Mad could describe the whole situation, but I think I was more disappointed. Not in the team, but that Favre would end up one of those guys traveling the league looking for work.
The problem with the entire thing was the media. A 24 hour media is an impossible media. You never get away from the news. The funny thing was the reporting was a complete he-said she-said scenario. The truth is that both parties had a valid argument. Favre still wanted to play. At the time he was perfectly healthy and never missed a game. He lead the Packers back to the promise land and was oh so close again. The Packers needed to think to the future. Rodgers was drafted for his skill and to be the heir to the throne of Titletown, USA. Sitting on the bench his final year would have led him to seek QB1 elsewhere. The team had to do what it did to secure the future. There was no way everyone could win here. Both sides lost; we all lost. The constant updates about nothing is what brought this circus to ahead. People got tire and wanted a resolution. I myself sat back and didn't worry. When there was real news, Favre or the Packers would announce it. And that is how i am dealing with the current situation.
Now Favre seems destined for the Minnesota Vikings. Favre appeared on Joe Buck live on HBO and explained exactly how I feel. He wants to play. He isn't going to go to the media until everything is ironed out and final. Until that time we should all relax. The day its announced I will again purchase the Favre jersey. My man-cave will always remain painted green and gold in honor of the Packers. When his career is over, Brett Favre will be remembered for what he did for Green Bay. Once a Packer, Always a Packer.
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