If ESPN Can Milk the Favre Saga, So Can We

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Brett Favre. Perhaps no athlete has meant more to a community than number four has to the people of Green Bay. The tiny Wisconsin town idolizes the three-time league MVP who brought them a Super Bowl championship in the 1996 season.

As a longtime Packer fan, though admittedly born and raised in Kentucky, I adore the gun-slinger from Mississippi. I always respected Michael Jordan’s abilities, but to me, Favre was god-like. I still have his replica jersey hanging prominently in my bedroom closet.

However, in recent weeks, the skies hovering over Lambeau Field haven’t been quite so sunny.

Favre retired earlier this year during an emotional press conference. Some predicted that Favre still had the desire to play. Unsurprising to those, Favre recently expressed his desire to return to the gridiron for yet another season and last week made it official when he filed for reinstatement with the league office.

Once Favre retired, head coach Mike McCarthy named Aaron Rodgers his starting quarterback going forward. Rodgers, a 3 year backup with the team, has attempted only 59 passes (completing 35 of them) for a total of 329 yards and one touchdown.

The past month has been a rollercoaster ride for Favre, Rodgers, the Packers organization and the die-hard fans of Green Bay. McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson have said Favre was welcome to rejoin the team, but only if he was willing to sit on the sidelines as a backup. Favre, who wanted an opportunity to win back his starting position, promptly requested his release.

The Packers front office, aware of what would happen if Favre found success with a rival squad, rebuffed his request. The team discussed the possibility of a trade with the Jets and the Buccaneers, but nothing came to fruition.

These events, as well as some tampering allegations, have left fans wondering what the future holds for the team. Some have expressed their allegiance to Favre through rallies in the parking lot of Lambeau Field. Other fans seem to be searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am one of the latter.

Though it pains me to admit it, Favre’s image has been tarnished by this whole ordeal. He is still my favorite athlete of all time, but I find his recent actions to be quite selfish.

I have no problem with Favre’s desire to continue his career. He, like Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden, has earned the right to decide when he should call it quits. Favre seems to think that he has all the time in the world to make a decision. The past few seasons have been a perfect example of this. Rather than make a decision in the months following the Super Bowl, Favre has often waited deep into the summer to reveal his future plans. The organization and the fans deserve much better than this.

Perhaps the individual most affected by this charade is Rodgers, who was Favre’s backup for the past three seasons. The former University of California star might not ever lead the Packers to a title, but he deserves a chance to prove his mettle.

Then it was reported that Favre was actually considering a deal with the Packers that would pay him $25 million over the next decade. All he had to do is stay away.

What happened to that desire to play? As soon as someone waved some money in his face, he seemed to waver yet again. Was this all about money?

Thankfully, the answer appears to be no. ESPN has reported that Favre will join the rest of his teammates at Green Bay’s training camp today after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him on Sunday.

According to ESPN:

It’s not yet clear what role Favre will play once he reports to Packers camp Monday, but sources told ESPN’s Wendi Nix that coach Mike McCarthy will announce Monday he’s holding an open competition between Favre and Aaron Rodgers for the starting quarterback position.

This is likely to spell doom for the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay. Favre is the far better quarterback, and will almost assuredly win the starting spot. Even if Rodgers does manage to best Favre in training camp, he will be on a very short leash. The very moment he begins to slip, you can bet the eyes of the Green Bay faithful will wander toward the sideline.

photo courtesy of Time