Okay, Brett, you son of a gun. You got us again. For the third time, you have succeeded in centering yourself in the NFL media offseason, and it’s still the same question: Are you retiring or are you playing?
Normally, my purple uniformed friend, I don’t like to write about you. I mean, the Daily Barometer isn’t exactly the largest media contributor out there, but I’ve always been one not willing to add to your already spiraling soap opera. We’re talking Lebron James “The Decision” level right now. That’s where you are, except you’re classier than he is.
I’m not sure what it is about you, but it seems like every time you even “hint” at retiring, the media world goes into a frenzy. Yes, we know you’re old – molding like a loaf of bread. Yes, we know you probably shouldn’t be playing. Yes, we know there isn’t a man in the universe willing to take the risks you do. But dang you, Mr. Favre, you just can’t seem to help yourself!
So Tuesday morning, we got these articles “reporting” that you were “supposedly” set to retire (so definitive, I know). They say you have informed the Vikings that you will not be there this season and that you’ve sent text messages to multiple teammates that say, “This is it.”
First of all, I don’t know how the media gets hold of personal text messages from players – some real TMZ work if you as me. Second, that three word message may have been taken way out of context. Maybe you’re saying “This is it,” as in, “This is my last season to win a Super Bowl with you guys.” I mean, we’re talking about you, Brett Favre! It can’t be over now!
What’s even better is that as I write this on Tuesday morning, nobody has heard from you regarding the reports, or from your Vikings coach Brad Childress, who promises that if there was a solid decision made, he would know about it first – and I believe him. He’s the guy who visited you at your home this offseason to personally discuss your decision. You have to tell him first, right?
Now, you’re supposed to give us an official announcement later today (Tuesday) regarding your status as the oldest, and maybe most decorated quarterback to ever play the game (leader in all-time wins and TDs). I don’t know what you’re going to say, but I’m going to jump out of this moving vehicle you’re driving and say there’s no way you retire. Not after the season you had, not with the personnel you have, including the best running back in the league, and not with the salary you’re supposed to be given ($13 million next season). You are one lucky old geezer!
Brett, you, and this whole thing reminds me of the movie Titanic, when Rose is about to jump over the boat’s edge to her sure death, and Jack is trying to talk her out of it. Except you are Rose, and we, as your fans, are Jack. The scene goes like this:
Us (Jack): Don’t do it!
Brett (Rose): Stay back! Don’t come any closer!
Us (Jack): Come on, just give us your hand. We’ll pull you back over.
Brett (Rose): No, stay where you are! I mean it! I’ll let go!
Us (Jack): No, you won’t.
Brett (Rose): What do you mean, “No I won’t?” Don’t presume to tell me what I will and will not do. You don’t know me!
Us (Jack): Well, you would’ve done it already.
Brett (Rose): You’re distracting me! Go away!
Hilariously paralleling, yes, and eerily similar, I know. But if you think about it, Mr. Favre, this is how the last few years have felt for you.
I think you want to retire, and you know you should, but your love for the game of football, and your willingness to be completely unselfish for us fans, continues to bring you back.
You’ll find a way to stay. Whether it’s today, or if it’s a day before the season starts, you’ll come back. You are exactly what sports should be about – and we salute you. We NEED you to come back.
So please, never let go, Brett, never let go. (cue Celine!)