If you look up the word selfish in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Favre.

The guy is a one man wrecking crew. What did Aaron Rogers ever do in his life that his punishment is to end up playing behind the most self-absorbed loon in the history of the NFL?

The guy threatens to leave season after season, disrupting the team. Then after his hysterical farewell drama queen scene, it seemed at last he had slunk back to Mississippi once and for all.

But, like the Terminator, the guy won't stay dead. The Packers should pay him and sit him. He isn't enough of a grown up to play with the adults.

Sheesh, between he and Clemens, it's hard to find two more self-involved, narcissistic, dishionest lunatics anywhere in society, much less the sporting world.

Talk about a mid-life crisis and meltdown. Favre is clearly on the verge of the big one. Your column is on the mark.

We, the fans, create theses mega egos and then wonder why the choosen ones respond with super ego personalities.

These guys sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment. Yes they are well paid but this man gets concussions - for our giggles. So he jumps the gun on retiring. Maybe he feels bad about always leaving the Pack in limbo, so he does it too early. He wants to come back but the Pack say they have moved on. Then he says I want to play somewhere else and they say No, we haven't moved on that much. So competitive hall of fame quarterback is supposed to say. Okay! I'm done! Thanks for slamming the door in my face.

I can see the Packers side on this too. Don't get me wrong. But here is this hostility coming from?

Favre vs Packers reminds us of Jordan vs Bulls.

1)Was dealing with fathers' deaths a psychological factor in regards to their premature decisions to retire?
2)Could da Bulls have won another championship?
3)Did anyone ever expect to see Jordan in a Wizards'(or other)uniform?
4)Does anyone ever expect to see Favre in a Redskins'(or other)uniform?

"The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind"

Each side is to blame, but I can't feel too bad for Rogers when he's sitting on the bench raking in tons of money. I'll work out everyday and take home a six figure salary. You have to know theat you're going to be sitting a lot when you back up Favre. But again, each side is in the wrong.

OK, tell me how the Packers are to blame in this? When Farve wavered in the spring about his retirement, the Packers FLEW TO HIM and said "we'd love to see you back, but you've gotta let us know so that we can plan for the year". He said he wasn't ready to commit. The Packers had to move on.

You hear it all the time ... Favre is one of those athletes that should be allowed to decide when he's done. The key issue though is that HE HAS TO DECIDE. I think the Packers have been more than fair and don't owe him a THING.

One of the greatest ever. It's a shame it has come to this.

But you have to admit, towards the end of the season and in the playoffs the side of Favre that the cheesheads are afraid of came out. The last interception he threw was embarrasing.

And some of the passes he threw in the Dallas game were downright sad. I was yelling at the TV set for the coach to pull him out of the game. Makes me wonder if he really got hurt or the coach heard me yelling.

You want to punish him? Take him back and make him sit on the bench...for the entire year.

"These guys sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment."

Thanks for clarifying that. I was so concerned that they were sacrificing their bodies so that I could be about $300 per game and so that they could make about $5 or $600,000 per game.

This wouln not have occurred if Brett's daddy were still alive. He is showing the effects of a father wound..

I know I will get skewered for this but I think Favre is the most overrated quarterback in the history of the NFL.
He has thrown the most interceptions in the history of the NFL. He has played in the league for what, 18 years, and he has only 1 Super Bowl ring? A 10 year old girl could be the quarterback of an NFL team and have more then one Super Bowl ring in 18 years. Didn't Baltimore win one with the worst quarterback of all time? Favre's legacy to me is that he is just not very good. The Packers should say good riddance immediately.

I have never considered Favre a great quarterback. I cling every time he throws an pass. He does complete a great many passes it is just that too many are to the wrong team. He has lost many games for the packers by pass inceptions that even an rookie quarterback would avoid.

The Packers have been put in a terrible spot here. Sure, Favre had a great season last year, but he stunk out Lambeau in '06. What if the Packers cave and the '06 Favre shows up again? Will they bench him two games into the season if he throws 7 interceptions in those games? When a quarterback (or any football player) gets to this age, he's one hard lick (or even one awkwardly placed foot) away from mandatory retirement. I saw what the greatest of them all, Johnny Unitas, looked like in his last days in a Charger uniform and it was ugly. Favre will get there--and he might take the whole Packers season with him.

There is no better quarterback in the NFL today than Brett Favre. The statistics prove it, the fact that he has gone 275 consecutive games proves it, and the simple art he exhibits on the field proves it. A man who has gone 275 games for 17 season deserves more credit than what you pinheads are giving him. How is it that 212 quarterbacks have gone in and out of the NFL since his start? You amuse me, stop criticizing the best and worry about your own weak life as a lamebrain. Enough already pinheads of America--face it--you're jealous!!

i think favre shouldn't come back, because he is on the cover of madden..not a good idea to come back

A football player who wants to play football. String him up and burn him.

If this was some schmuk who was a career backup no one would care but because it's Favre he's penalized for doing what he grew up doing? I still don't get it.

Favre has been and still is a great quarterback. He has not missed a game in 18 years, and he wants to win.

He is NOT, as you claim in your column, "the epitome of a self-absorbed, attention-craving, ultra-high-maintenance diva". He has been, for a quarterback of his stature and tenure, remarkably humble over the years.

Last year, he tried to get Packer management to trade for Randy Moss. Favre knew he needed a great receiver. He did not get what he asked for, nor what he needed.

If the Packers don't think he has enough gas in his tank, do what he asked, and release him. Let them start Aaron Rodgers.

Speaking of that, Packer management's lame excuse that they have moved on, and that they have structured the team around Rodgers is a pant load. Rodgers could get injured, as could any player. So do they call off next week's game? Of course not, they adjust in short order. Training Camp hasn't even started yet, so there is plenty of time to work this new guy Favre into the system.

Favre has not put Packer management into an impossible situation, as you suggest. They are suffering from an embarrassment of riches. Let's have no more crocodile tears for management, the poor dears. I'm sure there are a lot of teams that would love to have the hard working, durable Favre as their quarterback.

It's hard to understand how all these well-paid boys in this whole affair, from Thompson and McCarthy to Favre and Bus Cook, can't pool enough intelligence and strategic know-how amongst the four of them to sit down and work this thing out in PRIVATE.

It should not have gotten to this point - they should've been able to have a civil, rational discussion in an attempt to satisfy both parties. Maturity is too much to ask for in today's professional sports.

As one NFL, hall of fame, Green Bay, player stated yesterday in the local Wisconsin paper. The issue is untenable. Both sides are in a rock and a hard place. In conclusion he knows the fans would love to have him, the games "may" be more interesting, but in the reality is Brett (our beloved #4 should retire with pride. This has become fodder here in Wisconsin and Brett needs to be in the Hall of Fame in 3 years.

Patrick Randolph
I think if you look at the WINNING numbers for guys like Brady, Manning, Bradshaw, Young, Montana, Johnny U., etc. you will find that Favre is not even close to the same league as them. I currently live in Iowa where there are a lot of Packer fans and 75% of them are saying Favre was an average quarterback and hope the Packers say goodbye to him - NOW.
I say he was and is a below average quarterback. Before every Packer game I bet the Packer fans around here that he will throw at least 2 interceptions and I am WAY ahead on that bet.

I currently live in Iowa where there are a lot of Packer fans and 75% of them are saying Favre was an average quarterback

Posted by: dw | July 18, 2008 10:22 AM

Favre was neither average nor below average. I'm not sure how anyone could come to that conclusion. You can say for a few seasons he was average or below average but over the course of his career he was well above average. I'm not even sure how one would come to that conclusion.

I can think of very few players on that super bowl team other than Favre.

As a Packer fan, I disagree that Favre gives them the best chance. Remember the Dallas game last year when Favre stunk up the joint, got hurt, and Rodgers almost led a comeback out of a deep hole? Or the Giants game last year? It wasn't Favre who sparked the Packers, it was Ryan Grant and an improved defense.

skinz
I don't see how anyone can come to the conclusion that Favre is anything but average at best.
Career leader in interceptions thrown and only one Super Bowl ring in 18 years.
Absolutely nothing in those two stats to say anything but below average.

There were many seasons where Brett had no one to throw to, and yet they came out doing just fine. Who won those games? Go back and watch the plays and see what kind of phenomenon he is. Think about it: 275 straight games! One has to be an idiot not to admit that such a record is god-like! Again, if you think Favre is average, you need to see a psychiatrist. Okay?

History is against Bret coming back and making much of an impact. Unitas, Montana, Jones, Nemeth all went somewhere else and did nothing. The odds are not in the Packers favor that Bret will lead them to the promised land. They should trade him and get something for him. If he returns and has the same kind of year he had in 2005 and 2006, the Packer fans will turn on him...let him go somewhere else and be mediocre and let the Packers get some value out of their property.

Patrick Randolph,
So he played 275 games times 25 minutes at a time (the amount of time the offense has the ball in a NFL game) = 114.583 hours. And of those 114.583 hours most of the time he was just hading the ball off and standing there. So iron man Bret worked 14 days in the last 18 years. Man what a stud! Or what a prima donna loser??
Its football. Its not finding a cure for cancer, its not saving your fellow soldiers in a war, its not even not taking any sick days at your desk job in 20 years.
It is a man playing a little kids game for half a year, making millions, getting massages, personal trainers, and living the good life. To say he is god-like is an asinine statement.
And the only reason he has been the starter all of those years is the Packers are the only team dumb enough to let a below average quarterback be the starter for all of those years. He would have been benched years ago if he played in New York, Dallas, or the majority of other cities in the NFL.
In DC the message boards would have been packed with people calling for his head years and years ago.

DH: "Favre is the most overrated quarterback in the history of the NFL."

He is the greatest QB to ever play the game.

"He has thrown the most interceptions in the history of the NFL."

His interception rating is the best in history among the top 5 QBs of all time. He has made more completions, has the most attempts than anyone in history. But, the lowest ratio of interceptions compared to completions in history. Name a top 10 QB. Anyone you want to in history. Brett Farve has thrown less interceptions per completions than they have.

"He has played in the league for what, 18 years"

Like Dan Marino, Elway, Staubach, etc.

"A 10 year old girl could be the quarterback of an NFL team and have more then one Super Bowl ring in 18 years."

Like Dan Marino, considered one of the best qb's in history? Or Dan Fouts? Or Jim Kelly? How about Bernie Kosar, Warren Moon, Donovan Mcnabb, Fran Tarkenton, Boomer Esiason, Archie Manning, Doug Flutie, Randell Cunnigham? Or how about the 210 other starting quarterbacks who have left the NFL since Favre started playing?

"I currently live in Iowa where there are a lot of Packer fans and 75% of them are saying Favre was an average quarterback"

Very few Packer fans would say that. So we know this is a fabrication on your part. And I seriously doubt you have spoken to every Packer fan in Iowa. I have Packer friends in Iowa and they say he's a great quarterback. That makes 100% of Packer fans in Iowa who say he's the greatest qb ever, according to your polling methodology.

"I think if you look at the WINNING numbers for guys like Brady, Manning, Bradshaw, Young, Montana, Johnny U., etc. you will find that Favre is not even close to the same league as them."

Favre has WON more games than any quarterback in history. You are right, no one compares to Brett. Next dumb statement?

"I don't see how anyone can come to the conclusion that Favre is anything but average at best.
Career leader in interceptions thrown and only one Super Bowl ring in 18 years.
Absolutely nothing in those two stats to say anything but below average."

So another retarded statement, proving your ignorance again and again. This is great fun.

So he's won a Super Bowl and went to 2. How many QBs can say that. Out of the hundreds upon hundreds of starting qb's to ever play the game, how many went to 2 championships? Even before the merger.

So he's thrown the most interceptions. So I guess him being number 1 in every significant QB stat doesn't count for anything. Most wins. Most completions. Among the best in history for completion/interception ratio. Most starts. Most yards. Most TDs.

Yeah, that's average. ROFL

------

Btw, here's a list of some of the great QBs in history. None of whom won a championship.

Ron Jaworski, Steve Grogan, Sonny Jurgenson, Steve Deberg, George Blanda, Doug Flutie, Steve Bartkowski, Danny White, Archie Manning, Bernie Kosar, Jim Zorn, Billy Kilmer, Jack Kemp, Steve Spurrier, John Hadl, Jim Everett, Ken Anderson, Dave Krieg, Boomer Esiason, Dan Fouts, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly, Warren Moon, Dan Marino

Mark, thank you for putting into words exactly how I feel. I am as big of a Packer-backer as anyone here in the land of cheese. To say that this situation is upsetting is an understatement, and I, too, blame the whole thing on Favre.

Conversely, like you've suggested, I still want #4 as the starter - if his interest and committment to playing is genuine. As much as I liked what I saw in the pre-season and the Dallas game last year, I just don't trust Aaron Rodgers to stay healthy enough to last a season, much less a career.

Brett, please please please apologize for creating this drama and Ted, despite #4's behavior, swallow your pride, step up, take the high ground, and let Brett start. #12 may or may not get you to a Superbowl sometime. #4 is still your best shot to get there right now.

...but this is the real world, not fantasy land, and my plea is unlikely to happen. In this drama, I don't think we've even seen ugly yet...

PLEASE

Favre was average at BEST, and certainly wore down as time wore on. Yes he played a bunch of games. Is Cal Ripken the best player in the history of baseball? As to the poster who "cant remember another player on the SB team" how bout Reggie White, who basically delivered that win?
As far as quarterbacks BETTER than selfish #4, just off the top of my head, how bout Troy Aikman, Steve Young, John Elway, Ken Stabler, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Joe Montana and heck, I'd take Joe Theisman ahead of Farve and I HATE the Skins. Lastly, what happens if the Pack takes him back and he changes his mind again in September or October?

I'm not going to say Favre is the best of all time but to say he was average at BEST is really just making you guys look foolish.

You put Favre in his prime on those Dallas teams that Aikman had and he might have 5 Super Bowls. Aikman was an average QB who was surrounded by talent.

Name everyone you can think of on those Dallas SB teams then name everyone you can think of on the Favre SB teams.... I just did and it was 12 to 4 .

Brett Favre wasn't even the greatest PACKERS QB ever. That title has to go to Bart (I have a championship ring for each finger on my throwing hand) Starr.

Favre, stay retired or work with the Packers to get yourself traded to Buffalo.

tom,
You are 100% correct. EVERY guy you listed is much better then Favre!!
Favre is also very close to having the most losses in NFL history.
Raven Lee, you listed a bunch of quarterbacks who have ZERO Super Bowl wins, therefore they are NOT great quarterbacks.
In fact I would say that if ESPN listed the top 10 quarterbacks of all time only Marino would make the list of the guys you mentioned.
Here is how I came up with my 75% figure. I know 8 Packer fans, 6 of them say Favre is average and 2 say he is great. Also, this morning the local sports radio program had a call in show about this very subject and by a 3 to 1 margin the vote was Favre was an average quarterback.
So I am in the vast majority on this subject at least in Iowa. And this message board is also mostly anit Favre.

Let us wait for the 2008-09 season to unfold, then all of you silly skeptics will be, once again, biting your not-so-loquacious tongues. I offer you to look at Favre's statistics of last season and then say that his is mediocre. If you look at the seasons that his ratings were low, well, then look at who he had protecting him, who he had to pass to. Very few commentators and experts of the game would not rank him as the best ever. All the above "other mentioned" quarterbacks always had top-notch receivers, but this was not the case for the god of the gridiron, i.e., Favre. I would simply like to reiterate that if you have a problem with Brett Favre, you have a problem with your sense of self. He and his wife have done colossally more than anyone could ever hope to accomplish in his or her lifetime. Moreover, Brett's records on the field are so far above and beyond other quarterbacks, it will be a while before anyone catches up. In short, if you think he is not the best, be honest with yourself, look in the mirror and ask, "Why I am I a fool? Perhaps Mr. P has a point." One merely needs to go into the record books, speak with those who have played next to number 4, and the answer will unfold.

Patrick,
I will make a deal with you. If Favre comes back and the Packers make him the starter I say the Packers would go 8 and 8, or worse, and his quarterback rating would be somewhere between the number 12 and number 20 quarterbacks in the league. If he finished higher then the 12th rated quarterback using quarterback rating numbers I will come back to this board and say he was one of the greats. Otherwise, I am sticking to my below average label.

Brett Favre announces retirement from Dolphins, Bucs, Saints, plans comeback with Jets. See the story here:
http://www.wundurfulwurld.com/2008/07/brett-favre-retires-from-dolphins-bucs.html

The character of a man is best gauged by his actions, with Brett the writings on the wall.
When His father passed away, Brett avoided his best opportunity to show the fans that he was a team player. For all you statistic quoting, self indulged ego-maniacs out there, he wasn't at home with his family, who probably would have appreciated him setting aside his self indulgence, offering a bit of compassion, and showing those close to him that they mattered as well. Rather, there he was in Oakland, the heartless warrior.

test

Unitis, Jordon, Woods, Montana, Gretzky, etc. Each generation seems to be blessed with the opportunity to tell their children about a rare individual in the sports world that for their moment in history, captured the attention of a nation. For the past decade, Favre has been one of those gifted few. I'm sure many are willing to debate who the greatest QB ever may be. Many will say Montana because he has the most Super Bowl rings. Many would say Marino because of his records. And Elway rightfully enters the conversation.
I don't believe without the aid of google, many readers could easily identify who has won the most world series, the most stanely cups, or the most NBA championships. it was surly not Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, nor Michael Jordon. And yet we generally consider them the greatest to have played in their respective sports. For this reason, every major QB record, and certainly his love of the game, Favre has earned the right to be considered part of this debate.
So in this era of atheletes routinely holding out on their contracts for more money, others charged with illegal drug use, DUIs, domestic abuse, gun violations, spitting on referees, punching fans, etc, why would we be anything but supportive of an athelete who has shown nothing but respect for his sport and his fans, and a relentless love to play, simply because he made the horrific mistake of choosing to retire before his buring desire to play has been completely extinguished.
Yes, the audacity to quit while your still capable of playing at a level nearly no other QB will ever achieve, and then realize you miss it too much to stay away. Meanwhile we continue to welcome back the criminals to this and every sport that should not only be denied the right to play, but as well the right to freely walk the streets.
Rather than explain to my young kids, why various convicts are making millions each Sunday while we sit in front of our TV, I for one can only hope I can put my arm around them and point to number 4, and say, "anything you choose to do in life, do it with that kind of joy and love. THAT is how football is meant to be played. watch closely, you wont soon see anyone like him again."
lace em up again Brett......you deserve it, and so do we.

I couldn't have said it better! I am a huge Favre fan. Your view on this situation...er, drama....is EXACTLY how I feel. I am embarrassed by how Favre has been acting BUT when everything is said and done, Favre is the one of the best players that has ever played for the Green Bay Packers and he should be welcomed back with open arms.

Do people in Iowa only look at the nubers they want to? I dont think its fair to the other residents of Iowas to say they are all in your little boat. Is it that suprising to you that he holds the int record when he also holds the pass attempts record? Lets all just ignore the records of Most TD passes, Most passing yards, and most completions(those dont mean a thing).

"hysterical farewell drama queen scene"

LOL

Ted Thompson will always be remembered as the guy who shoved Brett Farve out the door and then slammed it shut.

Disgraceful

Reason Favre retired...Packers mngt wanted to move on with Aaron Rodgers

Reason Favre wants to un-retire: The guy wants to play and has shown that he is still one of the top QB's in this league.

What Packers should do: If your ready to move on, then MOVE ON. Let Favre play whever he wants.
If you think he will hurt you if he plays elsewhere, then he is obviously good enough to play so make him your QB.

We have to remember that they are banking their future on Aaron Rodgers...once again Aaron Rodgers...who will be a tiny footnote in Packer history...can't wait to see Aaron fail under the pressure of being a No1 QB, or he will be hurt in the 3rd game of the season...