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Is Favre being fair?

So it's of no surprise to me that Brett Favre is hinting at his availability, but I am starting to think this is bordering on selfish behavior here.

Brett FavreBrett Favre retired from football. I realize he is the master of his domain, but last time I checked this is a team sport. And if Brett's as loyal to the Packers as he said he is, I would think he would have considered the team -- the only one he's known since 1992 -- as well as himself when he made this decision.

And now, he should consider his former teammate, Aaron Rodgers. It would be different if Rodgers was a fourth-round pick and just happened to be the lucky guy who is listed second on the depth chart. No, he was a first-round pick. The Packers paid him good money to be their quarterback. He basically has this season to prove himself and earn a second contract from the Packers. This is a crucial time for him.

Brett says he recognizes Rodgers' opportunity and that he would only be tempted in coming back if Rodgers got hurt. Well unfortunately, the spectre of Brett hasn't been dispelled, not even close, with that pronouncement. Now, we'll hear about how Favre is one phone call away every time Rodgers throws a bad pick or loses a game with a so-so fourth quarter.

To me, that's selfish. If you think there's a chance you are going to leave the game, tell the team you are thinking about retiring and let them know they might have to make contingency plans. Michael Strahan was considering retirement up until August last year. And yet, I feel what he did was far less unfair than for Favre to tease his old team and the fans with the notion that he (easily) could be talked into returning.

Am I wrong here? I love Brett, but this bothered me. 

Comments (11)

Rick:

I would think think you're a bit off. All Brett has done is answer the question AND he began by saying "How great this organization has been to me..." So, I think....again the media has made much more out've this than as was Favre's intent.

Peace,
Rick

Craig Oswald:

I actually think that Favre's decision to retire was unselfish in that in his heart he knew it was time to get out of Rodgers' way. It seems like he was looking for McCarthy or Thompson to talk him out of retiring when he first told them of his decision and that when that did not happen he went through the motions with a decision that he was not sure of. It seems like he wants to play but wants to do so in a situation where he is under the expectations of Super Bowl or bust when everyone knows that the Packers have to see if Rodgers can play before his contract is up.

kazman:

GO HOME! BRETT FAVRE, your time is done, you proved in the NFC Title game when you were downright awful. PACK IT IN! GO FARMING, DISAPPEAR!

Michael Schuttke:

At minimum, Green Bay can force his hand by mandating he submit his retirement papers, something he has yet to do, and use the additional cap space to improve the team (i.e. extend existing contracts, acquire free-agents, more money for a higher draft selection if they trade up, etc.).

Mr. Football:

At first when I heard Favre may come back "if" the team needs him, I felt it was a slap to Aaron Rodgers because the job is his now. But then I find out it was due to a "reporter" just trying to stir up some "gossip". To the tabloid writers; "it's only an issue, if you make it one.

Mr. Football:

At first when I heard Favre may come back "if" the team needs him, I felt it was a slap to Aaron Rodgers because the job is his now. But then I find out it was due to a "reporter" just trying to stir up some "gossip". To the tabloid writers; "it's only an issue, if you make it one.

Packer Fan:

If you go and read the entire original article about Favre possibily returning, you will see that he was openly talking about his decision with a reporter friend. Who wouldn't be conflicted about retiring? Favre was explaining the pros and cons about retiring and returning, something that he should hold back on with reporters and save for close friends. At the end of the article he says he is not coming back and is happy with his decision to retire. But funny how a lot of news articles left that part out. The media likes to stir up drama. When football starts this Fall, Favre will no doubt be upset, who wouldn't? Favre is a guy who has never quit in his life, so he is doing something that he has never done before. Give the guy a little break on that point.

Packer Fan:

http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/475495.html

Favre answers Sun Herald questions about 'un-retiring'
SUN HERALD


-- Recent media reports have suggested former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre may not be retiring after all.
Since shortly after he made his announcement on March 4, pundits and fans have speculated that perhaps he wasn't done after all. Others have said they'll believe he is retired when the Green Bay starting lineups are announced this fall - and not before.

Amid all this speculation, Favre has remained largely silent, preferring to let others debate the issue of his retirement.

But in a recent interview with Sun Herald sports writer Al Jones, who was working with Favre on a foreward for the Sun Herald's upcoming book, "The Brett Favre Story," the Hancock County native did some speculating himself on whether he'd consider coming out of retirement.

Favre admits he's thought about it and has had moments of reflection since his decision. But, bottom line, he said, is that he's happy with the decision he made.

Here are a few excerpts from Favre's conversation with Jones:

• When asked if he would return to football if the Packers called because of team injuries, Favre said:

"It would be hard to pass up, I guess. But three months from now, say that presents itself, I may say, you know what, I'm so glad I made that decision. I'm feel very comfortable in what I'm doing and my decision.

"Yeah, I can probably be up there doing that and playing, but again, I don't know. It's only speculating. I think the world of that team. I had a lot of fun, not only this year, but over my career. Those guys I played with this past year, a lot of young guys, a lot of fun.

"I think of that, when I think of now being retired, I think I won't be in the quarterback/receiver meeting on Thursdays joking around and having fun and game plan and all that stuff together. It was a fun year. That was fun throwing the ball around like we did. There's no reason to think that won't happen again. Aaron has fallen into a great situation. And if that opportunity presented itself and they did call, it would be tempting. And I very well could be enticed to do it."

• But upon further review, Favre added this:

"But I don't want to do it if I'm not in shape. It would be hard to go up there at 38. It was hard to stay in shape. I say that, I worked out and I worked out hard. Week in and week out, I was just drained. Finally, for the first time, I felt, not that 38 is old, but I looked around at practice and these guys are bouncing around. And I practiced every day and all the time people would ask me, god, how do you do it? Inside I'm saying, 'I have no idea.' It's a struggle.

"But to think that if they called me in October and told me, 'Hey, we need you this week.' That would be hard. I'm sure mentally, I would be refreshed. I'd be away from it for a long time. But mentally vs. physically, the last thing I'd want to do is go up and it's 'Oh this is great and all that stuff and me be excited and then just flop.

"You just can't show up and play."

• On the issue of filing his retirement papers:

"To be honest with you, never having retired before, I didn't know you had to do that. But Bus (Cook, Favre's agent) and I were talking about it the other day. The Packers had to call. At some point, you have to do it so you don't count toward the (salary) cap.

"So at some point, Bus told me this, too. 'OK you send your papers in today. You send one in tomorrow that says you're unretired. So it's no big deal.' So once you send them in, yeah, it's official, but you could be unofficial the next day. So it's not like, 'Oh, he's over and done with.' You can change your mind the next day.

"As I was flying up to the press conference, I thought, 'Do I really want to do this?' I don't know if I was ever completely convinced one way or the other. That's what I wanted to do at that particular time. I felt like that was the best move for me and the family."

• About the timing of his retirement:

"I could keep saying one more year, one more year, one more year until something happens or they say, 'Brett, we don't want you anymore.' Or you get hurt. Or whatever. And who knows when that time will be. But I just felt it was the right time.

"Come fall, I may think it ain't the right time. But that's the chance I take. Could I possibly see coming back? I think there's a greater chance of me not playing than there would be of me playing again, especially at 38. (Troy) Aikman thought about it. (Dan) Marino thought about it. I'm sure a lot of guys thought about it. Will I think about it? I'm sure. Especially knowing I can play and the way we played this past year.

"It's tempting. Right now, I feel at peace with my decision. Today is no different that it was last year. I'm just sitting back enjoying my free time."

• And the final word:

"I guess the best response would be, right now no (I'm not coming back).

"I'm happy with my decision. Just taking it one day at a time."

forlibra:

If Favre isn't sure on retiring from football, he should stay retired for one year, and then decide. That way he would know more clearly what he would prefer more, football or retirement. He can't come back to Green Bay, there would be a conflict with two top flight QBs, but some other team would take him. If Favre just wanted to play or stay in the NFL, he could possible be a back-up, but he probably has too much pride to consider that. I think he made a good decision to retire and he deserves that reward.

kazman:

Aaron Rodgers a top flight QB? HILARIOUS!

Russ Marquardt:

I am a long time Packer fan-70yrs-and am hopeful for a Farve retun! Ideally, I would like a trade with Dolphins where we give QBRodgers for DE Taylor and a 2nd Rd Draft choice. This assuming Brett comes back!
Russ M

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