Zero2Cool
14 years ago

Brett Favre's return to Green Bay will be 'a real passion play 

Do you want to finish your career here? Peter King

Definitely. If in two years, say, they want to trade me, Id probably walk away. Retire. Brett Favre

Whether its a politician or a pro athlete, its hard to hold someone accountable for statements uttered in a different context.

Yet how you choose to interpret Brett Favres dusted-off words from a Sports Illustrated column nine years ago also could determine whether youll openly applaud or brazenly boo the Green Bay Packers legend when he exits the Lambeau Field visitors tunnel on Sunday.

Surely, Favre followers will find comfort in No. 4s affirmation, noting that his devotion to the Packers was so pronounced prior to General Manager Ted Thompsons tenure that he would have happily ridden off into the sunset with a green-and-gold cape tattooed to his back.

For those who feel betrayed by Favres purple reign in Minnesota, his previous give-me-Packers-or-give-me-death insinuation only pushes the knife deeper.

No matter which way you view Sundays proceedings, one thing from this sordid Shakespearean drama is certain.

As a celebrated Friend of Favre since the time No. 4 wore braces, Peter King probably has exchanged more text messages with the future Hall of Famer than anyone in the sports media. And neither he, nor Favre, nor Thompson, nor anybody in Green Bay, Minneapolis or Kiln, Miss., could have predicted that a man synonymous with Titletowns return to prominence would be donning Vikings purple at Lambeau Field.

I think he was positive hed never play for another team. Positive, King said. I never thought there was a question about that, either. I mean, I really thought, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that hed finish his career in Green Bay.

But I also think thats one of the reasons why you just never say never. You never make an absolute statement anymore. Especially with Favre, who we probably all should have figured is a guy you were going to have to rip the uniform off of.

The Favre quote, from a December 2000 column called Out on the Range with Brett Favre, is among several archived entries in Kings new book, Monday Morning Quarterback (Sports Illustrated; 256 pages; $25.95).

Named after his widely read column at Sports Illustrated.com, its a compilation dotted with several intriguing odes to Green Bay from Kings appreciation for Wisconsin hospitality to his fondness for local landmarks like Nickys Lionhead Tavern, the Union Hotel and, of course, Lambeau Field, which he names his favorite NFL stadium.

But make no mistake about it. King often came to our humble neck of the woods for a reason. And to not talk about a certain former quarterback prior to Sundays monumental clash would be a disservice to not only Favres folk-hero status in Wisconsin, but also to the magnitude of his fall from grace among some Packers loyalists.

Its a real passion play, this second game, said King, who also works on NBCs Football Night in America crew. I thought the first one was interesting just because it was Favre playing the Packers. But this second game in Green Bay is going to be very interesting theater.

Now, well find out if all the people who were huge Packers fans will turn the page and either be sort of respectful, and maybe even appreciative of what Favre did, which I doubt will happen in the game. From what Ive gathered from people I know in Green Bay, I think the boo-birds will definitely be out. I kind of think Brett will hear it.

Long accused by fans and fellow journalists of favoring Favre, King addressed his status as a purported apologist both in the book and on the phone, saying, Did I cover a lot of seminal events in recent Packers history that included Brett Favre? Did I celebrate those events and him? Absolutely.

Ive tried to be honest and honorable all these years.

Blemishes and all, Favre allowed King into his circle. The two often had dinner together. Text messages were routinely exchanged. And like everyone else, once retirement reports began leaking, rampant speculation led to several predictions in Kings column ones, that he humorously noted, were wrong every time.

Yet as proof that Favres annual will-he, wont-he drama could eventually erode even his staunchest support base, this latest round with the Vikings led King to write in August, Favres the wishy-washiest player in memory and the Vikings are his enablers. Its ridiculous.

I think a lot of people were surprised by that (comment.) But it was all because of one thing, King said. Two and a half weeks before he came back, or maybe three weeks, he told me on the phone, very emotionally, I cant do it. I want to do this more than anything, but if I come back, Im not going to make it. Ive been working out hard on my own, but it feels like Ive played a game. I just dont think I can do it.

So it was all based on that And look, I absolutely dont want him to fail. But Im just saying, using his words, and then three weeks later he comes back and everybody is like, Oh yeah, yeah, hes healthy it was just disingenuous, both on the part of the Vikings and on the part of Favre.

Because he no longer travels on Sundays due to his NBC studio duties, King wont be in the press box for one of the most eagerly anticipated games in Lambeau Field history.

Hed love to be in the locker room to get reaction from an old friend who has provided him with priceless quotes before. But if the first round in Minnesota was any indication, it might be a mixed bag for whichever side proves the victor fans included.

I think Brett thought it would feel so great after a game like that, but I also think it was a little bit difficult because he has so many friends on that team, King said about talking with Favre in the Metrodome tunnel after the Oct. 5 game in Minneapolis.

Its easy to say, I cant wait to play the Packers, I cant wait to beat them, or whatever he felt deep down inside. But I didnt really sense any of that revenge, that he was so glad to have beaten the Packers. Maybe privately at home he felt that way, but he didnt pass any of that along to me.


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Mucky Tundra (19m) : Now look, trading up to 13 to take a TE might not seem like a good idea later but it will be later!
dfosterf (2h) : (Your trade up mock post)
dfosterf (3h) : Mucky- The only thing fun to watch would be me flipping the f out if Gute goes up to 13 and grabs Brock Bowers, lol
beast (6h) : DT Byron Murphy II, Texas... whom some believe is the next Aaron Donald (or the closest thing to Donald)
Zero2Cool (7h) : What? And who?
Mucky Tundra (12h) : *sad Mucky noises*
Mucky Tundra (12h) : @JoeJHoyt Murphy said he’s been told he won’t slide past pick No. 16.
wpr (19h) : Just about time to watch Sonny Weaver stick it to the seahags. I never get tired of it.
Martha Careful (19h) : *game plan
Martha Careful (19h) : IMHO, not even close. He is not a guy you game play around.
Mucky Tundra (22h) : is Aiyuk worth a 1st rounder?
Zero2Cool (23h) : 49ers are seeking a 1st round pick in exchange for WR Brandon Aiyuk
Mucky Tundra (22-Apr) : Based on Gutes comments, now I don't feel as silly having 13 picks in my mock the other day
Zero2Cool (22-Apr) : Zach Wilson to Broncos.
Zero2Cool (22-Apr) : Gutekunst says he'd love to have 13 or 14 picks. He's trading back huh lol
beast (22-Apr) : Someday we'll have a draft betting scandal
beast (21-Apr) : Sometimes looking extremely amazing, sometimes looking extremely lost
beast (21-Apr) : I haven't looked into the QBs, but some have suggested Maye has some of the most extremely inconsistent tape they've seen
beast (21-Apr) : Well it also sounds like Patriots are listening to trade offers, not that seriously considering any, but listening means they aren't locked
Zero2Cool (21-Apr) : Maye needs to be AFC
Mucky Tundra (21-Apr) : Not liking the idea of the Vikings getting Maye
Zero2Cool (21-Apr) : Vikings HC joked that he may or may not have sent flowers to Bob Kraft. That's where rumor came from.
beast (21-Apr) : Can't tell if this is real or BS, but some rumors about a possible Patriots/Vikings trade for #3 overall
dfosterf (21-Apr) : One playbook to my knowledge. I was shooting for facetious.
beast (20-Apr) : I'm not sure they have different playbooks for different OL positions, and Dillard run blocking is supposedly worse than his pass blocking..
dfosterf (19-Apr) : The only problem with that is he isn't a guard either.
dfosterf (19-Apr) : Put him at right guard. That is where he will be coached. That is where he will compete. He is not even allowed to look at the LT playbook.
dfosterf (18-Apr) : Kidding aside, I hope the best for him.
dfosterf (18-Apr) : Went to a Titans board. One comment there. Not very long. I quote: "LOL" They don't sound overly upset about our aquisition.
beast (18-Apr) : OT Dillard has been absolutely horrible... like OG Newman levels
dfosterf (18-Apr) : Suit him up and have him stand in front of the big board as a draft day cautionary tale.
Zero2Cool (18-Apr) : Packers sign T Andre Dillard.
Mucky Tundra (18-Apr) : Adds most of the information this time of year comes from agents.
Mucky Tundra (18-Apr) : @RealAlexBarth Bill Belichick says accurate draft information doesn't leak from teams until about 12 hours before the draft. Adds most of th
Mucky Tundra (18-Apr) : I am very happy that for moment, Jordan Love seems like a normal human being
Zero2Cool (17-Apr) : Belichick * whatever
Zero2Cool (17-Apr) : "There's a lot of depth at Offensive Tackle and Wide Receiver." Bill Bellichick
Zero2Cool (17-Apr) : Thanks! I can't believe it's over haha
Martha Careful (16-Apr) : Congratulations
Zero2Cool (16-Apr) : Boom. Student Loan. $0.00. Only took about 20 years.
Zero2Cool (14-Apr) : Packers DT Kenny Clark: New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will 'allow us to be way more disruptive'
Zero2Cool (12-Apr) : Saints have agreed to terms on a contract with former Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.
beast (12-Apr) : No, but of it's for legislation, then half of the country will find it evil, not good, whatever it says....
Mucky Tundra (12-Apr) : Draft is still 2 weeks away. UGH
dhazer (11-Apr) : Does anyone know of a good AI generator to create letters of Support for legislation?
Zero2Cool (11-Apr) : Gordon "Red" Batty retires as equipment manager
Zero2Cool (10-Apr) : Sounds like that's pretty certain now.
Zero2Cool (10-Apr) : Packers "at" Eagles in Brazil. Week One
dfosterf (10-Apr) : Va' Fazer As Malas Va' !
Zero2Cool (9-Apr) : Mark Murphy tipping us off?
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