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Paolantonio defends Favre remarks

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ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio has received a record number of e-mails in response to his controversial column about retired quarterback Brett Favre, with the majority coming from angry Packers fans. In response to a column by Press-Gazette sports editor Mike Vandermause that appeared online and in print today, Paolantonio sent this letter to the editor via e-mail: "Thank you for Mike Vandermause's smackdown of my espn.com column on Brett Favre. But I take issue with one major point: I was not trying to criticize Brett Favre, only offer some healthy perspective, provide an alternative take. Favre, as I pointed out, is a bonafide first ballot Hall of Famer. But I just wanted to hit the pause button on the over-the-top deification of No. 4. In my view, he is not even the greatest Packers quarterback of all time. That would be Bart Starr. Bart Starr has always been treated like Ringo Starr -- underappreciated and, these days, overlooked. I was trying to provide some historical context that my brethren in the media often ignores. By the way, I do use a hairblower, but I never bring it to the press box with me."

PackersNews.com

Brett Favre, AP Brett Favre, AP
March 17, 2008  07:15 AM ET

As inflammatory as it might be, Paolantonio does make some vaild points regarding the Brett Favre "legend". But he likely will not live down this knock against a QB who quite a few do view as legendary! Present company excluded!

March 17, 2008  07:19 AM ET

3years in a row MVP thats wont be tied or broken anytime recent thats for sure. Too much emphasis is put on current players vs old historical players. Its apples to oranges. Compare the now to the now and the then to the then.

March 17, 2008  07:37 AM ET

Sal Paolantonio is just trying to get press for himself with over the top remarks. Pretty lame trying to hi-jack someone's career and make your name off it.

March 17, 2008  07:57 AM ET

His next article will be about how Babe Ruth was over-rated because he stopped pitching ...

March 17, 2008  08:11 AM ET

Anyone who thinks past eras can compete today is a fool. They Cant... there we made it simple. They shouldn't be compared because things are far too different. Farve is a Legend, just as much because of the person he became as well as the player he was. Its just another typical article written by a man who was forced to watch sports his whole life and never play them... not at any level.

Sal, we are all sorry some bully gave you swirlies, pushed you in lockers, and stuck you in a dumpster all through your child hood, but hey at least you had your poster of Bart Star to go home too... He always treated you like a man when you stared up at him... Didnt he...

March 17, 2008  08:18 AM ET

The man just looked at Favre's stats and wrote an honest article about him. Get over it Cheese Heads..

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March 17, 2008  08:31 AM ET

No Cheese Head here. As an Eagles fan, nothing was more maddening then watching the last few moments of a game my team was winning, with Brett Favre on the other side of the field, ball in hand and driving down the field.

This is real simple. Brett Favre still is, and has been a great QB. No team keeps him around as long as GB does with out really believing it.

Brett Favre didn't come into the NFL with a ton of fans and media slopping on his package. He came in unknown rookie just like every other new and green QB.

He paid his dues and earned respect. You wanna know how great Brett Favre was or wasn't? Just ask the players he competed against on the grid iron. Im confident that a great deal more will tell you about how great he is then not.

March 17, 2008  08:32 AM ET

Loki, there was no HGH 30-40 yrs ago.
No "fountain of youth".
although Im sure there were strip clubs..

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March 17, 2008  08:33 AM ET

brett farve is/was a great QB. Sal's right though. He has somehow been elevated to a iconic state. I loved watching him play but at the same time was happy he finally retired. There only so much media love for fest a person can take

March 17, 2008  08:41 AM ET

Favre's popularity is based on a few things.
1. Overall longevity within the league
2. Overall longevity with the SAME team (unheard of once SC and FA came in)
3. his persona as the "Nicest guy ever to grace a football field"
4. Historical fanbase of the Packers.
5. Wrangler jeans.. sigh
6. Stats/Awards

I think probably what Sal is saying is that whenever a player of Favre's caliber retires given his immense popularity even among arch rivals, the emotional feeling of the fans is to beatify him. Hell, even I like Favre and his beat us in the SB ! .. Its impossible to dislike Favre, but when businesses close on the day he retires and flags get flown at half staff, that slightly over the top. He isn't a head of state, he made no signficant changes that will speed along world peace or end hunger or AIDS, He's not a national "hero". He's a QB on a football team that was highly likeable.
It is what it is.

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March 17, 2008  08:50 AM ET

you almost gotta feel sick inside for Aaron Rodgers....lol

 
March 17, 2008  08:50 AM ET

later jc :-)

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