Sunday, July 13, 2008

Play ball

I can sort of understand why people like Stephen A. are growing tired of Brett Favre's confusion over whether to suit up once again or fade gently into the night.

But I can also see where Favre is coming from, regardless of the headaches it might cause the Packers, Ted Thompson, angst-ridden Green Bay fans and football media folks who would prefer not to be bothered in the weeks before training camp opens.

I've never really understood why a guy like Favre, who clearly can continue to play at a high level and seems to delight in fall Sundays, would even remotely choose to go through the motions of retirement when he still has some gas left in the tank.

He played at a Pro Bowl level in 2007, came within an ugly overtime interception from taking on the Pats in the Super Bowl and seems to be relatively healthy. Why rush into a life without football so soon?

Favre has the rest of his life to putter around on his Mississippi property and reminisce about the old days in Lambeau. You only get so many game days, you know?

I don't really have an opinion about where he should play, or whether or not the Packers should grant him his release. I just know that as a recovering football player (a mediocre one) myself, I'd throw on a cup, girdle, cleats and helmet this quick if I had the chance to play under those lights again.

Favre will likely feel this urge even more intensely than someone like, say, John Ed Bradley, who spent a good portion of his adult life trying to recover from his post-gridiron high. I think he should ignore the noise and listen to his heart.

Play ball.

2 comments:

Zen said...

I don't think anyone is questioning whether or not Farve should be allowed to play ball. It's the manner in which he's handling the decision. No one forced him to retire in March.

His indecision has a negative affect on so many people, he's being very selfish. His cap number will cause at least 5 people to be out of work (No matter what team he plays for.)

I've never understood why athletes retire while they're still healthy (especially in this day and age considering how much money they make.) I think you ride it until the wheels fall off, make them make you quit.

Brett is acting like a little child, which he's entitled to do, but in turn the team is entitled to treat him like one.

People keep saying that he holds all the cards, last I checked the Packers have the final say on where he finishes his career and if he even plays IF he decided to come back.

You want to come back, go fill out the paperwork first and then come talk to the team. I have a suspicion that Mr. Favre wants out of Green Bay and I don't understand why. Initially I just thought he wanted to skip the off season training program, but this is looking more and more to me like it's personal. Either that or Mr. Favre is just a SELFISH, SPOILED ATHLETE. (It's probably the latter.)

blackink said...

There's only a few times in an athlete's life when they hold the leverage and public sentiment over the front office.

This might be one of those times.

And I think Favre should use any and every advantage he has over the Packers. Why not?

Brett knows that the Packers don't want to be in this situation: there's no way he's backing up Aaron Rodgers come September. Not without a massive grassroots uprising in Wisconsin.

Either the Packers capitulate and allow Brett to start, or they will release him and allow him to play elsewhere. It's that simple. Who cares if five special teams guys get cut in the process?

This is Brett Freakin' Favre! No one is coming to Lambeau to see some undrafted free agent cover kickoffs, zen.

It's not about being spoiled. It's about being selfish. Which really ain't a bad idea in a cutthroat biz like the NFL.