Oh Brett Favre

Let the record officially state that I am not upset that Brett Favre is still playing football, or that he is playing for the Packer's second biggest rival (sorry kids, the Bears are still #1), although I suppose the Vikings are the biggest rival now.

I am more frustrated and ticked off at how the process went. If two years ago Brett Favre had told the Packers that he still wanted to play, I would have been fine. Sure I was getting sick of the 'I might retire after this year' shenanigans, but who wasn't? I would have been fine last year if he went to the Vikings or Bears or wherever. The Packers are a better team with Aaron Rodgers, I truly believe that. Brett Favre leaving was better for the Packers future because it finally allowed the team to move forward. I, like many people, am just sick of this 'will he or won't he' crap that happens EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

The part that bothers me is that I always thought Brett Favre was different. I didn't think that he was the prima donna. I believed that he didn't care about the records (at least not THAT much). I believed that he didn't like the attention. I believed that he was the kind of player that would go out and throw 4 touchdowns, 3 picks, and still have a PBR after the game just like one of the guys. I believed he wasn't New York City or LA, he was Green Bay. He was wranglers and John Deere. But it turns out I (and most Packer fans) were wrong. Brett Favre is no better than Terrell Owens, a player that wakes up every morning and thinks 'how can I get onto Sportscenter today?'

Perhaps the worst part about Brett Favre is that he has added to my already depleting stock of faith in athletes and other public figures. When I hear someone say something now that makes me think 'they are different,' I will question that thought even more. Barack Obama almost tricked me, but it turns out he isn't that different either (health care reform anyone?). Seems the further you get into the public eye, the more Hollywood you become.

I won't miss Brett Favre the person, but I will miss the fun that he was as a Packer, and going to the Vikings has sort of ruined those memories. Now when I see Brett Favre running around the Superdome field with his helmet above his head, I will think about these last few years, and not those 14 or so years of pure joy.

I could write for pages about this subject, but I am sick of it. And the sad thing is that I bet we are still discussing this NEXT summer when Brett hasn't decided if he will come back for the NEXT season.