Days before Brett Favre signed with Minnesota I'd begun to think he'd bailed because Green Bay had out-flanked the Vikes, signing him to a huge personal services contract.
Looks like I was giving the Bishop & Co. too much credit. That would've been a pretty shrewd move: bring "Jonathan E." Favre back into the Packer Corporation while besting their Nordic rivals one more time. It coulda' been sweet, for the Packer faithful.
Alas, it was not to be. Favre will visit Titletown for his number retirement and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, but never a working relationship. He has the purple taint.
Clearly, money was not the focus for Favre, although the original rumored Viking offer was nicely enhanced. But money does have a way of making hard decisions easier. If he truly was "conflicted," a beefed-up services contract might have tipped the scale.
Corporations rarely act in a manner that reflects emotions like sympathy or revenge, but PackerCorp is different. Resentment towards Favre may've become a matter of policy.
James Caan plays athlete Jonathan E. in the 1975 futuristic movie Rollerball. Corporate wars have made the world safe but prosaic. Behave and live well. When Energy Corp's John Houseman decides it's time for Jonathan E. to retire, the fan favorite fights back.
Brett's battle is not with the NFL. Roger Goodell welcomes the added revenue, although Favre couldn't have been happy with NFL approval of Green Bay's poison pill clause in their contract with the Jets (GB would get three NY 1st rounders if a trade to Minnesota).
Not surprising then, that NFL Network is one of the few to cover the drama impartially.
And Favre's John Houseman is not GM Ted Thompson. His antagonist is the real power in Packerland: the Board of Directors, where seats are passed down through generations.
Green Bay is part of the NFL's old guard, a near-founding franchise swollen with history and pride. Like da Bears, the Packers reach is long (Jets & Vikes?: mere members). One grumble at a golf game and the smear campaign is on, quickly pervading all of sportdom.
ESPN (Wal-Mart of sport media) and most outlets are showing their support for the Bay by piling-on ol' Brett. Company men like Fran Tarkenton and Mark Schleretz (ESPN) are scoring points with the old guard but growing more tiresome than a Limbaugh rant.
Packer fans are rightly saddened by the whole affair, but the media's constant criticism of Favre is exaggerated. Mr. Vick had not received half as much scorn from sport scribes. Given that PackerCorp started the trouble, Favre's injury is worse than most knew and Viking players are generally thrilled with his arrival, isn't it time to stop the charade?
Haywood Broun once described Joe Namath as "that most loved and hated of gladiators." Like Joe, Brett's run will end someday. So let's enjoy it, for we'll never see another like him.
Steven Keys
Lucia Dvorska
Brooklyn Decker
Sled Hockey
Cheerleader of the Week
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Good post, enjoyed reading it. I'll be pulling for the old man, like you say, "lets enjoy it, for we'll never see another like him."
TigerBait10
Hold On Tight, MS
Total Comments (1076)
We won't know what a great man he is until he is long gone. Sad -- he has to take all the bad press. It is easy to hate -- hard to continue to have faith in someone. Brett represents courage and fortitude for me and so many others. One day I will probably be a Packer Fan again. My dad thought Lombardi was a genius...love the Pack even though he lived in Chicago. So much pride in GB then. Favre has it. He took it with him. Yes, one day maybe I might be able to be a Packer fan again.
Purplepassionpower
Marion , IL
Total Comments (10)
so are you saying the giant retirement party for his jersey in 08 they were planning before he misretired and the nice comments from coaches and players on his signing with the vikes are because they hate him as an corporation? Please...how weak is that argument...the flip flopping on his desire to play came from Farve so the packers had to control the only sure thing they could which was to move on and commit to Rogers. The packers will retire his jersey someday when he really retires. He was great player and I am saddened he is taking a route to be in direct conflict with the packers as he could have played for many other teams but he wants to play against the packers as they wouldn't bend under his pressure to come back after they commited to move on.
san antonio packer…
San Antonio , TX
Total Comments (7)
Nice balance article. Couldn't agree more. - Grew up a Packer fan; still am. But, current generation of Packer fans are spoiled and ungrateful. I guess they don't remember, or weren't alive during the 70's and 80's. A real shame. Brett did so much for GB, yet management ready to show him the door because of his waffling in his old age. And everyone wants to blame him for losing in NFC championship. Why not Ryan Grant and offensive line, coaching staff? Brett threw the pick, but the rest of the team didn't exactly rise to the occasion. Packer fans loved it when Brett took a chance and it paid off. But, throw an interception, and they throw him under the bus, and then throw him away. - Brett is faaaaar from perfect, but I believe he has earned the right to do what he has done.
JetPack
Total Comments (1)
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