I was nine years old, sitting on the floor of our living room in the home I grew up in as a young child. Consumed by our 32" tube television, along with the rest of my family, I didn't quite understand the importance of the moment at the time, but simply growing up in the state of Wisconsin was enough. On my back, a Starter youth green #4 jersey. The date was January 26th, 1997, which in the National Football League it was a very special time of the year. The occasion, Super Bowl XXXI, and what is my fondest memory of a man who once played quarterback for my beloved Green Bay Packers, and also the beginning of a relationship with a player that very few fans of the Green and Gold could have ever imagined. That relationship lasted sixteen magical years, and when you combine that with the time he spent as a member of the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, it leaves only five years in which he has not been a part of my life. It's still difficult to reflect on what has happened in my years following professional, and specifically, Packer football. At the age of twenty-three, I've already seen the most historic franchise in the NFL win seven division championships, appear in four NFC Championship games, and make two Super Bowl appearances, winning one World Championship. Each of those moments provided by and attached to one man, Brett Lorenzo Favre.Let me attempt to paint an accurate picture. My childhood was spent growing up in a region of Wisconsin referred to as the Fox Valley (resided in the city of Neenah), a mere 35-minute drive north to Green Bay on U.S. Highway 41 . Although the popularity of the Green Bay Packers encompasses anyone who lives within the Wisconsin borders, to those who grew up so close to or in the city of Green Bay, there's a different level of admiration and gratefulness to this franchise. My grandparents guided me through the Packers Hall of Fame on multiple occasions before I was ten years old. Several August evenings were spent watching training camp on the sidewalk of Oneida St. through a chain-link fence (spectator viewing has since been upgraded). And even on some occasions, after heavy snowfall, making a trip up to Lambeau Field to assist in snow removal. However, not a single sporting experience can compare to game day atmosphere at Lambeau, and the success the organization had while Favre was with the team has only added to the mystique of a such a unique professional sports team, albeit one in the most popular sport in the United States.
There have been many players and coaches that came and went during Favre's time in Green Bay. Current Cleveland Browns General Manager Mike Holmgren is the most memorable, but my recollection better recalls moments with Mike Sherman and Mike McCarthy. Until typing this, I never realized that all three men had a first name of "Mike". Additionally, some fans likely still ridicule the hire of Ray Rhodes in 1998, resulting in a very mediocre 8-8 season. Favre was able to play with Packer greats like Reggie White, Leroy Butler, and Sterling Sharpe, just to name a few. At quarterback, he spent training camps with Mark Brunell, Kurt Warner, Matt Hasselbeck, and Aaron Brooks (remember him?). He even made it on the cover of Madden '09, although I remember him more for being on the cover of Nintendo's NFL Quarterback Club (just an awful game).
Favre's imprint left on the NFL is already astonishing, and he will be remembered as one of the all-time great players to ever don an NFL uniform. However, there is still sour taste that remains in the mouths of Packer fans, and it's not from expired bratwurst. It's tough to put a finger on where or why the sour taste exactly began, but its presence cannot be ignored. But finally, as today marks the beginning of the 2010 NFL season, that sour taste is beginning to fade.
"Fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Fool me... you can't get fooled again." - the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush
On December 31st, 2006, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 26-7 on Sunday Night Football. For the entire 2006 season, there had already been heavy speculation that Favre would retire after the Packers' final game. The man became so entrenched with emotion that he broke down into tears in a postgame interview with Andrea Kraemer. This left most of Packer Nation to believe that Favre already had one foot out the door, and I the majority assumed the legend would finally call it quits. Thus began what we'll refer to as simply "Waiting", where no matter what happens in the world [of sports], we need to know what Brett Favre is doing, and how he feels doing it.
The 2007 off-season was a walk-in-the-park compared to off-seasons to come. Favre had his customary ankle surgery, and made an "early" announcement in March noting that he would be returning for the 2007 season. This season would surely be his swan song, the team was the most "talented" (per Favre in 2006), and they looked prime to make the playoffs, giving Favre one last opportunity leave the game on top. Fans in Green Bay were stirring with excitement.
In 2007, Favre posted his best numbers in three years, and also recorded his highest completion percentage (66.5%) as a member of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers finished the season with a 13-3 record, and earned the 2nd seed in the NFC. This gave Favre the chance to possibly play all playoff games at home, where if a moment in which the season came to an end, at least he would be in front of the fans that loved him so much. However, it seemed as if the story had already been written. Favre would guide the Packers to one last Super Bowl where they would undoubtedly take on the undefeated New England Patriots in a game with more story lines than Constantine. An easy snow-covered divisional win over Seattle gave the Packers an NFC Championship matchup against the New York Giants. Surely Green Bay would be the favored squad, but unfortunately fans were mistaken by the team of destiny, and Favre proved again that he makes questionable decision in pressure situation (more on that later). As it turned out, the Giants were truly destined to win it all, taking down the Patriots in a game that was so damn entertaining, even Packer fans temporarily forgot about their recent agonizing defeat.
Now a bit more prepared, fans in Green Bay again entered the period known as "Waiting". Sensing that it was only a matter of time, fans spent about a month speculating on "will he, or won't he" discussions before Favre declared that he would be making a formal announcement on March 4th, 2008. As a college student, I was forced into class for a portion of the live press conference. I was able to make it back to see the player I adored so much, and for so long, yet again reduced to tears, and sounding a lot like a man who was no longer mentally invested in playing such a mentally rigorous sport. My most vivid memory that remains is how Favre repeatedly mentioned that the retirement was his decision, and that the Green Bay Packers organization did not push him in any direction. Favre was decisive, and his declaration seemed final. Oh, to be so naive...
Summers are quite beautiful in Northeast Wisconsin, and the summer of 2008 was no different. Sure, Favre had yet to sign those oh-so-important retirement papers, and fans certainly were not 100% sold on his retirement, but the hysteria caused by the press conference had since died down, allowing some fans to come to terms with "the end". But in midsummer, just as those across the nation were getting ready to celebrate America's Birthday, Favre had to steal the spotlight again. Yes, Favre stole the spotlight from America, because on July 2nd a report surfaced that he was considering a return to the team. General Manager Ted Thompson informed Favre he would not simply be released, and that the organization now had a commitment to their former 1st-round quarterback selection from Cal, which caused an indescribable uproar throughout the entire state. Seeking an appropriate way to address those who wanted to hear the words come from the horse's mouth, naturally Favre selected On the Record with Greta Van Susteren on the Fox News Channel (as opposed to a relevant media medium). A mere four months later, the same man who was committed to retiring by no fault of the Green Bay Packers, was not fully committed, and felt pressured by the Packers to make a decision before the NFL Draft. Here comes that sour taste.
Officially, on July 15th, 2008, Favre said he was returning to the NFL. Fine. Making a decision to step away from the only game you have ever known has to be difficult, as I am not able to relate. Reports began to surface about Favre changing teams; the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers needing in the most obvious need of a quarterback. Then came speculation that the Minnesota Vikings were involved, due to former Packers Offensive Assistant (and Wisconsin Badger) Darrell Bevell and Favre being good friends, and Bevell now the Quarterbacks Coach with the Vikings. The Packers sought tampering charges, but Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled no such thing. After causing yet another ruckus by arriving in Green Bay at the beginning of training camp, Favre was shipped off to the New York Jets in exchange for a 4th round draft pick, but with stipulations that would ensure the Jets would not flip him back in a trade to the Vikings. At long last, it was the end of an era in Green Bay, and the atmosphere surrounding the team felt, for lack of a better term, weird.
"When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way." Or at least halfway.
To be frank, and I may have been in the minority, but I felt incredibly indifferent to Favre and his new team. The Jets were in the AFC, and were not in a position to contend in 2008. The Packers would not encounter Favre unless it was in the Super Bowl, and those chances were slim. As the Packers struggled to close out games early in the season, my attention shifted to baseball, where the Milwaukee Brewers were busy ending their 26-year playoff drought. Favre and Jets got off to a hot start, but fizzled late, missing the playoffs in spectacular fashion as their gunslinging quarterback tried to tough it out with a bum throwing shoulder. Favre certainly had to be leaning towards complete retirement this time around, his torn muscle should be enough to deter him this time.
On February 11th, 2009, Favre informed the Jets about his intentions to retire. Never formally addressing his retirement, the Jets officially released Favre from the team on April 28th, and it appeared as if the final chapter of his career had been written.
Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, and the Minnesota Vikings
Let me first preface this by informing readers that for my undergraduate degree, I attended the University of Minnesota. It truly is a great post-secondary institution, and I will continue to endorse my alma mater. The unfortunate part is that it is located in the Twin Cities, which allowed me to experience first-hand the series of events that took place next...
We all knew what Favre wanted, he was simply vying his time to see if an opportunity to play for the Minnesota Vikings would present itself. The most interesting aspect of this already dicey situation, was that the Vikings seemed to want Favre more than he wanted to play there. The Packers on the other hand, simply did not want to see their legend go to their most intense division rival, but knew they no longer could stop that from happening. I was already preparing for the worst. Having lived in Minneapolis for four years already, I observed and endured the hatred Vikings fans have towards Packer fans. On local sports radio station KFAN 1130, it was commonplace to hate on everything Wisconsin, including yours truly, Brett Favre. However, once speculation began that Favre to the Vikings had legs, the fanbase in Minnesota had no problem flipping the switch, ignoring years of disdain due to absolute desperation for a championship.
With most of the fans in Green Bay confident in the abilities of their new quarterback, Favre went ahead an announced his retirement again on July 28th, 2009. Most who were following the situation closely assumed he was forced into this decision based on his shoulder. In a predictable turn of events, on August 18th, Favre went public with his decision of returning to professional football, and quickly signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings that day. This is a day that will always stick out in my memory, because I remember walking through Downtown Minneapolis feeling genuinely sad for those reveling in news. The Favre acquisition captivated the entire state (unlike in New York), and purple #4 Jerseys were flying off the racks. I simply did not understand how a team that despised a player for sixteen seasons could change allegiances so quickly. It was complete exultation, and my mouth suddenly tasted as if it were chock full of Warheads (come on, you remember).
To understand this situation completely, one must take a look at the Minnesota Vikings organization. The Vikings are in desperate need of new stadium, and simply renaming the turf at the Metrodome as Mall of America Field is just not going to cut it. The Metrodome is horribly out-of-date, even for dome standards, and in previous seasons (with the recent economic downturn), the Vikings were in danger of television blackout each week before the networks usually bought out a remainder of the tickets. On top of all this, there isn't enough agreement in the Minnesota State House, which voted against the new Vikings Stadium on May 5th, 2010, citing an increase in taxes would be difficult given the increase needed to support the construction of the recently built Target Field. How did they not see this coming? In 2009, your city has two major professional sports teams that played their home games in an old, run-down stadium. People in Minnesota are definitely "Minnesota nice," just not "Minnesota smart." Now, with the Vikings lease ending in 2011, there is immense pressure to figure out a solution for to build new stadium. Otherwise come 2012, say hello to the NFL's newest relocated team Los Angeles Vikings.
Back to 2009, Favre immediately made the Minnesota Vikings a legitimate Super Bowl contender. His season got off to an unbelievable start, as he had no problem adjusting to his new surroundings. His success was difficult to digest, as Favre talk was ad nauseum, which I had no problem understanding. The two marquee match-ups against the Packers came early in the season, and a sieve of an offensive line in addition to Favre's spectacular play led to victories in both games. The Vikings victory at Lambeau was particularly difficult to swallow, but I was encouraged to hear the ravenous boos coming from the fans as Favre took the field. His storybook performance made headlines on a weekly basis, as he recorded the best statistical season of his career. But other than the two losses Green Bay endured to Minnesota, I was largely unaffected by Favre's success, there was only one wish I had while watching Favre last season...
Without delving into Favre's failures with the Packers too deep, I will quickly remind readers of the 2004 divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where in overtime, Favre lofted a prayer in the direction of Antonio Freeman only to be intercepted by Brian Dawkins, setting up an easy game-winning field goal. Or maybe you remember in 2002, when the Packers were also in a divisional game against the St. Louis Rams, and Favre threw five interceptions and virtually handed over the game. And lastly, the NFC Championship game against the Giants in 2008, when Corey Webster followed in Dawkins footsteps, intercepting the all-time great in overtime, resulting in another Packers playoff loss by field goal. What does each of these performances represent? They represent the feeling, the hope, and the overall expectation that he would do the same to the Minnesota Vikings in a similar situation. How quickly we forget why Favre has failed to reach a Super Bowl since 1997, and he has played on some more than capable teams.
Fast forward, the date is now January 24th, 2010. The Vikings are set to travel down to the Superdome to play the New Orleans Saints for the NFC Championship, and Favre is fresh off a stellar performance against a tough Dallas Cowboys team in a playoff game a week earlier. To be honest, I was nervous. The only thing better than Favre losing this game, would be losing the Super Bowl, but I didn't want to take that chance. It's not that I didn't want Favre to win another championship. In fact, if he had done so the previous year with the Jets, it would not have been difficult to swallow. I, however, despise the Vikings, and would not have taken Favre hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for that organization very well. So as the Vikings played the Saints, I was hoping for the worst. More than ever, I found myself hoping Favre would get sacked, throw interceptions, and make ill-advised mistakes. As a team, the Vikings were not able to take advantage of the Saints lackluster effort, turning the ball over a total of five times. But as the end of the game neared, the Vikings were threatening to win the game and advance to a Super Bowl by virtue of a field goal (ironic), and Favre was moving them into position. A costly coaching error by Head Coach Brad Childress (twelve men in the huddle) put the Vikings in a passing situation on 3rd & 15 with on the Saint's 38 yard-line. No description for what followed is needed.
2010, a Season to Forget
So after one more season of ultimate disappointment, we now arrive at September 9th, 2010. Now it was Vikings fans that had to endure retirement talk for months, and never-ending speculation with the question, "When will Brett make his decision?" Showing what little continuity the team has under Childress, it took Jared Allen, Steven Hutchinson, and Ryan Longwell flying down to Mississippi to convince the legend to come back for one more go at it. The Vikings are putting their chips "all-in" this season, but due to injuries, players leaving, and Favre's physical health not being 100%, this season will inevitably bring an end to Favre's career. Other than the NFC Championship, everything went right for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009, and they still were not able obtain that first World Championship. When a few things go wrong in 2010, the wheels will fall off, and it will spell the end of a cowardly and tainted attempt to win a championship in Minnesota.
At this time, I will formally bid you farewell #4. Your image has been drastically changed over the past few years in the eyes of the only team and fanbase that gave you a chance. In time, you will come back to Green Bay so we can recognize all that you did in your time here as a player. Hey, maybe Grove High School will take you on as Quarterbacks coach to ease those retirement blues.
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