By Jason Klein
Originally Written For The Official Steiner Sports Blog – 6/10/09
According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, 25 to 30 hotel rooms were recently blocked off by friends and family of “retired” quarterback, Brett Favre. Their itinerary: Green Bay, Wisconsin, November 1, 2009. Certainly, the Packers must be planning a “Brett Favre Day” as part of their 1:00 PM matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. They must be retiring his legendary number 4, and honoring his 16 seasons of work in green and gold…right?
Wrong. These travel plans were made amidst the latest rumors regarding Favre’s potential comeback – this time, with the archrival Vikes. His entourage would be better suited booking rooms in Canton, Ohio for the summer of 2013, the first year he’s eligible for induction into Pro Football’sHall of Fame. Instead, the ole’ gunslinger just can’t stay away from the game he loves. As a result, his comeback story has become a tired one.
Like a dinner guest lingering long after everyone else has gone home, Brett Favre has outworn his welcome in the NFL. There’s no debating hisresume – he is one of the greatest players, and leaders, to ever play the game. But its time the 39-year-old pack it up, head held high, and retire for good.
He looked weary, and old during the final weeks of his short stay in New York. He looked defeated following the Jets 24-17 season-ending loss inMiami, at the hands of the man he replaced, Chad Pennington. Despite it all, Jets owner, Woody Johnson, gushed over the job Favre did, and publicly expressed interest in bringing him back (after all, Johnson still had PSL’s to sell).
But, just as he did following the 2007 season in Green Bay, Favre, once more, opted for retirement. It was back to Mississippi he went, riding off in the sunset, never to throw another touchdown, or interception, again.
Then a funny thing happened, Favre had surgery on his injured shoulder – an odd move for a retired player. Whether it was feelings of resentment for the way he was exiled out of Green Bay, or his true passion for football, it appeared that Favre wanted to come back, again.
The decision to play, or not to play, ultimately belongs with the player. No one else has the right to tell a willing and able athlete that he has to hang it up…after all, athletes have a very limited career shelf life, they should get as much out of that time as possible. Instead, it is Favre’s constant uncertainty about his intentions that rubs fans the wrong way.
Had he expressed a desire to play again in 2009, no one would begrudge him the right to do so. Instead, he told Johnson and the Jets, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and retired from football. The Jets moved on without him, gave him his unconditional release, and drafted USC Quarterback, Mark Sanchez as his replacement.
Now, just five short months after the season ended, with his ties to the Jets cut, Favre has flipped again, and appears ready to get back in the game, a move that has further alienated him with fans tired of this stale act. If he goes through with it, hotel rooms in Green Bay will certainly go for a premium this November 1st when the Vikings come to town. So will rooms in Canton, OH the next time Favre would be eligible for Hall of Fame induction, the summer of 2014…or 2015…or 2016…
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