How badly does Brett Favre wish just now that he had hung up the cleats and stayed in Mississippi this time around? How badly does his family wish that he had knocked off his retirement navel-gazing and stayed in Green Bay where he belonged years ago?
Right now, in the wake of arguably his best season ever, Favre is at the center of SO much attention – and most of it unwanted attention.
First, there is the simple matter of his team. The Minnesota Vikings, after going all the way to the NFC Championship game in 2009, is now wallowing at 2-4, just a game ahead of the perennially bottom-feeders from Detroit. Admittedly, the rest of the Division doesn’t look very good, and the Conference lacks a dominant team this year, but still the 2010 Vikings can only be regarded as a great disappointment to date.
Second, there is the internal team drama. When people are talking about a breech between coach and quarterback, you know that’s a bad sign. Evidently there was already stress between Favre and Childress last season, yet still the latter saw fit to beg Brett back into service for another year. “We came so close last year, Brett,” must have been the appeal. “This will be THE year! You’ll go out on top!” Well, instead, Favre has already equaled his interception total from last year, the Vikings have already matched their 2009 loss total, and the coach was calling out his coach in public after Sunday Night’s debacle.
Third, there is the injury. Two fractures, for heaven’s sake! He was limping off the field on Sunday and he was wearing a boot on Monday. He’s 41 years old. And he needs to be able to move, given his proclivity for the long ball and the sketchy protection given him by his line. It’s a significant issue for any team to face the prospect of turning to its backup quarterback, but the drop-off is particularly significant for the Vikings. And, of course, in this specific case, there is…
Fourth, the streak. For almost any other quarterback to miss a game or two is a challenge and a local headline. But if Brett Favre misses a game, that’s a national headline. He hasn’t missed a game since 1992! When the decision finally comes down, we’ll give more thought to the size and significance of his streak. For now, though, we are left with that poignant picture of the play on which the injury likely occurred: Favre, wearing a Vikings uniform, sprawled out on his stomach on the big “G” emblem at the center of Lambeau Field. What an irony if his streak ends there.
Fifth, the other woman. As if the football-related headlines were not enough, Favre also has to continue to deal with the tawdry headlines (and predictable jokes and skits that accompany them) surrounding this Jenn Sterger character. (And am I right? Does she not bear a striking resemblance to Deanna Favre?!) Apparently Brett has admitted to some of the alleged behavior, while denying the most seedy parts. For his wife and family, as well as for a lot of his fans, however, what he has admitted to is enough to be crushing.
He should never have gone to New York. I know that Green Bay and Hattiesburg are not the Garden of Eden – and even Eden was not free of temptation. Still, he never should have left home. He had it all in Green Bay. Where else in the NFL are they going to name a street after you, for heaven’s sake?! He should have learned something from watching Mike Holmgren leave and fail to recreate elsewhere what he had here. And now, after just a few years, Brett Favre seems to have lost so much of what he had here.
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