Letters to the Editor
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His last pass
Was a poorly thrown wobbler that was intercepted and kept his team from going to the Super Bowl. To me, that summed the guy up. He made a great show of being all about everything, but he was ultimately too arrogant to keep from throwing up balls like that, because he couldn't fathom the idea that his team could succeed without him being the sole reason for it. That may have played in Peoria, but it never played with me.
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An era is over
Once upon a time a QB called his own plays.
The game got too complex for that, but still many of them had "it". Style. Pizzazz. From Broadway Joe in his fur coat, to Jim McMahon in his sunglasses & headband, to Favre leaping around the field after throwing a TD.
Today's QB however is a different breed. Robotic in many ways, just a cog in the machine making the correct checks to operate the system. An automaton. When did QBs get so dull?
Favre was one of the last ones that really did seem to love going out there and flinging the ol' pigskin around. He will be missed.
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Goodbye Brett.
Brett Favre is my all time favorite football player, and possibly athlete. He really did love the hell out of what he was doing. He probably needed some closure on his retirement, good for you Brett for making the decision. I wonder what he will do now? Whatever it is I hope he loves the hell out of doing it too.
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Damn you, King...*tear*
As a diehard cheesehead who moved to Milwaukee in the same year that Brett played his first full season for the Pack, I've been in a sad funk since hearing the news of #4's retirement earlier today.
But it wasn't until I read your wonderful column - which perfectly encapsulates the player, legend and man that Brett was and is - that I lost it, and tears started to flow. Dammit...
I'm gonna miss you, you ol' stubbly gunslinger.
For '96-'97....for all the crazy, oh-my-god-how-did-he?!?! passes...for your courage and honesty about your painkiller addiction...for your humanity in the face of Deanna's cancer battle, and your dad Irv's passing...for your true love of the Game...
For all of this and so much more, this Packer fan says thank you, Brett.
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A Nomination for the NFL Version of Gretsky or Jordan or Ruth
Jim Brown.
Before your time? Different from our era? Maybe. But look him up.
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And! Brett's dad George gave him a wonderful sports upbringing!
George Brett was a champion, even if he was not quite as great as his son Brett Favre.
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From a Wisconsinite...
...or Cheesehead, if you wish (although I have never worn one). I lived in Wisco for my first 28+ years ...
We will miss you Brett.
I am just home from the Kettle of Fish, one of the great Wisconsin/Packers bars in this fine country. I was not the only one to show up this evening to have a beer at the wake for Brett's career.
There were a few folks hoping Brett was putting on a show, hoping to be talked back in. I hope that is the case. But I doubt it.
So many memories.
I was in the front row at Oakland the day after his father died. (399 yards!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqe2GSKpzro
I was at Lambeau when Freeman caught the ball while on his back and ran it in, with my best friend, a Vikings fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co3tAV104bw
I was at 4th and 26 in Philly (ouch). Can't find video...thankfully.
I was at the Kettle for the loss to the Giants. We all saw it..no need for video.
So many more.
I think I owe my football fandom to Brett Favre. He owes us nothing more.
But I'll take it if he gives it to us.
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Ripping a Hall of Famer on his way out the door?
It takes a very rare class of individual to play that game at a high level for 17 years and even more phenomenal to do that without missing a game.
He was a personality, a class act, and clearly a near great if not great quarterback.
And yes, his personality was infectious. He looked like a little kid running around out there, as if he was rejuvenated.
As to calling their own plays? Steve Grogan was the last one I recall who was allowed to call his own plays by Raymond Berry back in 1985. Could have been others subsequently, but that's the last one I knew who essentially was thrown the car keys and told, "Here you go. Don't fuck it up."
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Thanks, Brett
I felt good watching my kid grow up rooting for you.
We'll miss you.
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All Good Things Must Come To End
Brett Favre had numerous days in the sun. His "Oh shucks" wonderment of life in the fast lane of professional football was waning last season. His career,unpretentious public demeanor made him accessible as a human being.Under that image,seemingly lay a fiercely willed professional athlete, that's the only way to survive in that competitive universe. Who was the real Brett Favre? It is hard to say.
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Will he dye his hair when he gets that MNF gig
that's the only relevant question.
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I used to look forward to the day when the state of Wisconsin could follow it's own motto...
and move along. Or Forward. Whichever.
Alas, it remains quite clear this shall not be the tack.
There is Bread & Circuses, and then there is the Pack. And I thought Ditka was beyond stupid whilst in Chicago, but at least that wasn't a 12 month affair. It's been unbearable for thinking fans to experience the cult of personality surrounding Brett. It permeates everything. There at the grocery store tonight? None other than Deanna's mug on a hardback, a couple hundred copies trotted out for the occasion. Because, hey dumpy sconnie folk -- if the wife of the richest fellow in the state with a whole world of docs and resources at her disposal can beat an early diagnosis, so can you! Just as soon as you get Packers-level insurance. Maybe.
Poor, poor Mr. Rogers. Have fun there, guy.
Favre was a fine QB, and really made the NFL a lot more interesting, especially if you think the most interesting thing about the NFL is the betting, which I do. But to hear the press spout on, you'd think this franchise didn't even exist PB -- pre Brett. Thing is, I recall a time growing up when listening to fans of the Pack was just as insufferable -- when they were the classless hits machine under Forest Gregg, or when Don Majkowski was the heir apparent. (No youtube link necessary -- Packer fans know in their heart of hearts he was over the line.) By listening to them, you would think no one ever else enjoyed playing the game of football. (Hell, I would enjoy it too, but eventually the painkillers would get to be a pain, you know? No pun intended. Is "mentally tired" the NFLers way of checking in for "Exhaustion"?)
Yes, yes, he was an excellent QB, but just as the sports fishwrappers turned on Bonds and the sports-watching public lapped it up, so they elevated Favre. There is no question about cause & effect here -- really, try to ask most folks about his career and you get a string of anecdotes that just HAPPEN to be the same ones you'll see on ESPN, a couple of Raiders Games here and there (evidently, 95000 Packer fans had the good fortune to be in Oakland the day Irv died), Snowballs Thrown......but really? Only as many super bowl rings as Trent Dilfer?
Not looking forward to 2009, when it is officially renamed Favre Turf at Lambeau Field, with your host of hosts, Peter King presiding.