It began in January 2008 when the Packers lost to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game 23-20. The next month, Brett Favre tearfully announced his retirement having every intention of leaving. In the past, he waited several months to decide. His family needed time with him, and he needed time to clear his head.
So, if you think about it, there would have been only one reason why Favre made his decision so soon: Packer management pressure -- Forget what he's done for the organization and the city, and force him to make a decision now. Having just suffered a devastating defeat after a brilliant season and still aching from head to toe, it's no shock that he stepped away.
Has anyone considered that he cried at the press conference because of what Ted Thompson and Co. were forcing him to do? This man gave his heart to the city of Green Bay, broke just about every record in the book, won a Super Bowl, and two MVP's. Why would you get so impatient with a man who doesn't deserve it? I'm sorry Aaron Rodgers was drafted by Brett Favre's team, but that was his team. He hadn't shown any signs of faltering play so why would they change direction when things were hitting on all cylinders?
Well, they did.
That set into motion a chain of events that rivals The Amazing Race. Brett sees that he's not wanted so he demands a release that results in him wearing a new shade of green in The Big Apple. It's an up-and-down season, he gets hurt, and then retires again. With the new regime coming in with Rex Ryan, he wasn't going to have a job anyway.
Once again, he made a decision that was rushed and forced only this time he admits that he did it to himself and shouldn't have. He is itching to stay in the game that he loves so dearly so he has shoulder surgery and rehabs exceptionally. Before you know it, Favre is wearing the Purple and Gold of Green Bay's most hated rival.
This Sunday, Brett Favre will enter Lambeau Field where it all started. Virtually every one of the 102,313 denizens of this fabled city will be either at the game, in a sports bar, or at home in front of the TV. Parks will be empty. Businesses closed. Bicycles laying in front yards. Tumbleweeds blowing across Main Street. You'll be able to film a movie and no one will know.
How will they view the man that put that city on the map? Will they see a man who single-handily improved the city's economy through increased tourists or the one who caused a 10-15% drop off in business when he left? A hero or a traitor?
It's expected and understandable that many will want to express their displeasure to #4. They will want to burn jerseys, saw up their Cheesehead hats, and display posters that should be distorted for kids.
But, all this man has truthfully done is show himself to be a human who wants to keep living the dream that is ingrained into every bone in his body. Don't get me wrong, this 40-year-old kid has matured in all of this too, but he has come to realize that he just wants to play football, and who would be dumb enough to say no to even more money even if it is with a hated rival?
Brett Favre loves football. He loves competition and thrives (and profits) on attention. He also knows his rights and freedoms as an American. In other words, all #4 has done these past couple of years is be himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment