Gulfport, Mississippi native, Brett Favre, the man who has been the face and embodiment of cheesehead football in the tiny, football crazed town of Green Bay, Wisconsin for the last 16 years, has shamefully been given the cold shoulder by a front office staff that has obviously bumped its overpayed head. This situation is reminiscent of an affair that took place in the city of Chicago a decade ago.
The Chicago Bulls, lead by the greatest basketball player ever in Michael Jordan, were coming off their 6th championship in 8 years. So what does any self-respecting, arrogant, idiotic owner and G.M. do? Shove Jordan and his all-star counter-parts out the door when they are still at the top of their game to begin "the rebuilding process." This is proposterous! Why rebuild a championship team? Ever heard the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it?"
Obviously, Jerry Reinsdorf and Jerry Krause haven't, and they haven't had a good basketball squad since. Hopefully, these two pinheads learned a valuable lesson in 1998, a lesson the Packers are soon to be introduced to. Brett Favre is the most beloved figure in Green Bay since the late Vince Lombardi and is coming off one of of his most productive seasons ever. The man can evidently still play at the highest level, so why walk away?
Quite simply, he didn't want to. He had been pushed, and pushed, and pushed by the Packer front office for the past several disappointing seasons, but even following a division championship and 13-win campaign, it was still the same song. Pressure, pressure, pressure, until finally, Favre gave in, and tearfully retired. These tears were due to the fact that he was being forced out, and considering everything he had done for the NFL, the city of Green Bay, and the Packers, it truly was painful to watch.
No one should have been surprised when rumors started swirling that Favre wanted to return. But the reaction from the media was downright disgraceful. Basically stating that Favre should have either stayed or should go away. Brett Favre is one of the top five quarterbacks to ever play the game, and has gained the right to make decisions that effect his legendary career in his own time, and on his own. But we stripped that right from him, helping the Packers force him out the door.
Now that Favre has had enough humiliation, and enough of the Packers, he is asking to be released from his contract. Boldly, the Packers have publicly denounced the idea of releasing or trading Favre. To add insult to injury, they released a statement offering Brett the opportunity to return as the backup quarterback. What!?! Is this a joke? Brett Favre, one of the best players ever, coming off a spectacular season, should comeback and back-up the unproven Cal-product, Aaron Rodgers? Absolutely absurd.
The best thing that can come of this is Favre ends up with a division rival such as the Bears or Vikings, and leads them to a terrific season, while the Packers and poor Aaron Rodgers crumble without their unconditional leader. Brett Favre has earned the right to retire with dignity, and hopefully he gets to, without the Packers. Here is a look at some of Favre's career highlights:
