Posted on 07/03/2008 6:39:32 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
(Apparently still retired, he denies the story about him wanting to play another year)
As of Wednesday night, there was only one public comment from Brett Favre, in a text message to his friend and Biloxi Sun Herald sports reporter, Al Jones.
"It's all rumor."
But what a huge rumor it is.
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN.com reported that Favre had the "itch" to be back on the field for training camp to play for an 18th NFL season. It is a dramatic turnaround for the 38-year-old Favre, who announced on March 4 that he would retire after 16 years as the Green Bay Packers quarterback.
The ESPN story was written by Chris Mortensen, the same reporter who broke the retirement news in March after he received a voice mail directly from Favre, who said he was mentally tired.
This time, Mortensen's story cites anonymous sources as confirmation of Favre's change of heart and says Favre expressed his wishes to come back to Packers coach Mike McCarthy, more than likely after the team's last minicamp practice on June 19. But, according to an ESPN source, the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because "Brett retired for the right reasons, even though I know his family is tugging on him (to play)."
A team spokesman said Wednesday: "The Packers have no reaction." Most of Lambeau Field's front office was deserted, from president Mark Murphy to general manager Ted Thompson to McCarthy. All were on vacation and could not be reached for comment.
But Favre's family did speak out Wednesday to Milwaukee TV stations, revealing one new development and reinforcing a long-held sentiment: first, that Favre is working out, and second, that he might not have felt welcomed anymore by Thompson.
Favre's brother, Scott, told WTMJ-TV that Favre was working out and that the odds were fair for Favre's return.
"I think it's 50-50," Scott Favre said. "There's no doubt he can play. He's in good shape, he's working out, we know he can still play, he's healthy, so, if he did, it wouldn't surprise me."
Favre's mother, Bonita, told WITI-TV that Favre felt Thompson was less than enthusiastic about keeping him around for another year, something Favre's inner circle has expressed for some time.
"He's felt like that for the last couple of years, that the Packers didn't really want him back," said Bonita Favre. "But nothing's been said. You know it's just been bits and pieces throughout the last couple of years, things that would come up, and it just didn't seem like they went out of their way to keep him. It was kind of like, 'You're done.' "
Former Packers general manager Ron Wolf didn't sound totally stunned when he first heard the news Wednesday.
"I hadn't heard anything about that," said Wolf. "When I had talked to him, it sounded like he had had it. It was after he had the press conference up there in Green Bay. But time has a way of healing those things, and there were a lot of people that probably thought he did that too early. You can look at it two ways; you go out the way you're supposed to go out. But I think all of us thought that he could still play.
"It will be interesting what comes of all this, you know that?"
That's what everybody who cares about the Packers is saying right now.
Favre had an answer for that, too, on Wednesday night. When Jones replied to Favre with a text message saying he was being bombarded with questions from the media, Favre sent a text back, "No reason for it."
Favre's agent James "Bus" Cook did not return messages but downplayed a possible comeback to ESPN.
"As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired and until he tells me something different, that's what it is," Cook said.
But the domino effect of this revelation has just begun, and it starts at the top with Thompson and what to do next.
Carl Francis, a spokesman for the NFL Players Association, said Favre is still listed as an active player.
"He never filed any paperwork officially retiring from the NFL," Francis said.
It is not unusual for players to go a long time before filing their retirement paperwork, but Favre does have three years left on his contract, which would earn him $12 million in 2008, $13 million in '09 and $14 million in '10. The Packers placed him on the reserve-retired list in the spring so his salary would not count toward their current salary cap.
Even though Favre announced his retirement in an emotional news conference, he still has every right to tell the team that he wants to play again, which would essentially force Thompson's hand and perhaps push him to make his biggest decision in 3 1/2 years as general manager of the Packers.
Thompson would have to either put Favre on the active roster, trade him or release him. If Favre played for any team other than the Packers - it is not without precedent; Joe Montana and Michael Jordan did it - Thompson would have to accept that he will forever be known as the GM who let an icon leave Green Bay.
Of course, if Thompson agrees to reunite with Favre, it means scrapping the three years the team has invested in first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers.
After spending the last three months preparing to assume the leadership role of the Packers, Rodgers faces the possibility of sitting on the bench for a fourth straight season, being traded himself or at the very least, dealing with even more questions about replacing the legend who apparently was not at all ready to retire.
And then of course there are the two quarterbacks Thompson drafted, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn, who would fall even further down the depth chart with Favre's return.
As Wolf said, it should be interesting. The Packers had planned to carve out Favre's locker and send it to him as a gesture of thanks right around this time, but there's no word if they actually have. One thing is clear. The door on whether Favre could return to the field in 2008 has been kicked wide open.
"I know he has the itch to come back and play," cornerback Al Harris told ESPN's "NFL Live." Harris said. "If he will or not, I don't know."
2. Go coach somewhere. Inspire others. Teach. Be a mentor. America needs some decent Quarterbacks!
3. Go ride your tractor. You've got a tractor, 2,000 acres and more money than God. You're not even FORTY yet! Live, Man! LIVE!
Would be nice for one more go...but you’re right, this ain’t fair to Aaron, so all that’s left is emergency fill-in or being a mercenary somewhere else.
Amen to all 3!
If Brett comes back, and if he does lead us to a Super Bowl win, there will be no end to it. I truly think that’s what he wants. One wasn’t enough?
Rogers is a jerk, but he’s OUR jerk until they boot him or he seriously hurts himself again, LOL!
The NFL virus is incurable for both players and fans.
To watch it all happening on the field while thinking “I should be out there” is sheer agony for mind, body and soul.
Brett should take a hint from the Greatest Packer of all time, Vince Lombardi, and call up Jim Zorn and just see what’s happenin’ in Redskin Land. ;)
Last year was his redemption. Let it go, spend your money.
Thank you for some great years. You have earned the right to retire and rest in the warm sunshine.
Everyone is allowed to change their mind, over and over again. He needs to ignore the haters and do what's in his heart. If he wants to play and can handle however it might effect his stats, he needs to go for it. Bottom line...Brett Farve is the biggest draw of any athlete in the country. Tiger is close, but Brett is in a league of his own. If he's ready ride that tractor come September, that's one thing. But if he's itchin to throw some more TD’s, he needs to go for it. If he has his worst season ever? Oh well, lesson learned. Big whoop.
Who cares what anyone thinks about his decision. It's his decision. Look at all the old farts that continue to play the QB spot.
Like anyone could tell any of you knock it off already if initially you decided to retire from your job, and then changed your mind. The decision is his, and only his. The sports media loves the speculation and people need to lighten up. It's a football game and he's entertainment.
Well said.
Sick of haters. Think if he had listened to all the haters along the way. Where would he be? Or any athlete for that matter. He needs to do what he wants and ignore the media in the most professional way. And if GB or their fans don’t want Brett Favre...they’ll find out right quick that many teams and fans do. Every game would be sold out yesterday.
Whoop!
Oh, for Pete’s Sake. I’m a “hater” because I think he should stay retired? LOL!
LOL. I know....I know....Nobody’s “hating” lol. I actually care about the man. Don’t want him to be remembered as the guy who just couldn’t let go.
Goodness knows I love Brett & I’ve been a GB fan all my life. But the time has come. He will be remembered fondly. Almost every person I’ve talked to has nothing but good things to say about him (even the “REAL” GB haters) And I think he’s a sure bet for first ballot HoF. I’d love to see him come back to Green Bay one day as the coach.
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