More thoughts on Brett Favre and the saga that seems to be near an end. Just what you needed, I'm sure.
First, there seem to be no winners in this entire debacle. The Packers played the entire thing terribly poorly. The Favre's played the entire thing terribly poorly. And the fans (fanatics) soaked up every last syllable of every story.
There were huge egos at work on all sides. Packer's GM Thompson seemed to be the biggest ego problem on that side of the fence. President Murphy seemed to be along for the ride for the most part. Head Coach McCarthy seemed to have the best interests of his team at the top of mind throughout the process.
Brett and Deanna seemed both naive and very knowledgeable at the same time. These are no one's fools; nor is Mr. Cook, the agent.
Fans, and that is rightly derived from the word 'fanatic', were hooked throughout the entire process. Favre has been the face of the Packers for some fans' entire lifetimes. For other fans, like me, he was simply the 'go to' guy who almost always seemed to get the job done. I am a casual fan; I never played football and I never thought I could coach the team. I was disappointed when "we" lost and I was elated when "we" won.
I was moved when I watched the tearful retirement ceremony many months ago. I felt for Brett and Deanna. I hated to see his era come to a close. I questioned the abilities and the durability of the expected replacement for #4.
Then, the comeback talk began and the intensity increased as fans and sports writers got into it. At that point, the whole thing took on the typical 'larger than life' aura that surrounded Favre.
Finally, it got to the point where too many words had been spoken, too many subtle signals had been received, too many stories had been written; where feelings had been irreparably damaged and where hopes were dashed.
It apparently came down to two men sitting and talking for what seemed way too many hours. And finally, it came down to one trying to humanely tell the other that his home wasn't there anymore...for better or worse, it just wasn't going to happen.
So, we now wait to hear to which team Brett has been traded...and the money seems to favor Tampa Bay. And...we wait to see if our new quarterback can take us into the playoffs. And, we reflect on all the Brett brought with him from Atlanta...the gunslinger...the toughest QB ever...the human being who had his problems and overcame them...all on the front pages over most of America. It would be very hard, if not impossible, not to believe all the hype about yourself. We all have egos needing to be fed, after all.
I am sad today. I am sad that it had to come to this. I wish that we all, including Brett and Deanna, could've been spared this last chapter in Packerland. I am hopeful, but, frankly, skeptical that the new QB will get it done this year. I wish Brett the best and hope he has a great season. If with Tampa Bay, I hope we beat him but I hope it goes down to the wire.
