One of my mother's favorite events to experience while I was growing up was watching a Packers game with me. She loved to see my highs and felt horrible for my lows. Growing up a Favre fan I had plenty of both and while I suppose there are bigger Favre fans out there, if any of my friends had to name his biggest, I would be it. There is no way I could have ever believed I would one day become that same emotional fan, hanging on every play, and cheering for that Purple team in Minnesota. However, my passion for watching Favre play, easily shadowed my disdain for the Vikings and I always wanted him to go out on top.
This background leads me to my next issue which centers around the media. I cannot stand, or understand, when people call Favre a Diva or desperate for attention. Ever since all this hoopla began back in 2002, ESPN and other major media outlets are solely to blame for the image Favre has received. Even back then, he was asked before the season ended if he was going to retire and very few have been able to make that decision from so far out. No matter what, year in year out, Favre was asked in January, February, and March if he would retire and his usual response was he wasn't sure (Because his body was torn to shreds). Apparently this meant he was holding his team hostage. To me, Favre was held hostage by the media. There have been few interviews since 2002 where he wasn't asked for his future plans. How many other players in the history of the NFL have been hounded about this issue as much as he has (even before the retirements)? Until last year, he was always there for the start of camp. 8 years he has had to answer these same questions.
Yes he has retired twice. The first time he was pressured into making his decision, but for what reason? He had just led the Packers to a 13-3 season and lost in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants. Why did the decision need to be given on March 4th, only 6 weeks after the teams last game? They already had Rodgers on the roster, so it wasn't like they needed a decision in order to go out and find a QB in the draft. He was FORCED to make a decision because Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy were ready to move on but again most of the criticism was placed on Favre.
ted thompson bashing is as tired as favre watch.
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