Who cares about Brett Fav-ray?
August 7, 2008 7:04 AM Subscribe
I've been ignorant of the idiotic Brett Favre soap opera as of late. I know he retired, and then like many stupid athletes before him, realized he could still make a pile of money by coming OUT of retirement and playing another horrible season or two. My question is this: Why do people hate him? I've read a lot of stuff about how he's a jerk and my sister was telling me that there has been so much press about this guy. Like, who CARES if he comes out of retirement? Is it because he was a good player? I'd like the hive to fill me in on this issue. Especially now that he'll be a Jet, I can't wait to see how the fans will react.
This post was deleted for the following reason: this is a rant disguised as a question. -- jessamyn
Response by poster: No, I apologize for the rant-like quality. I'm indifferent. But I've heard all of these rumblings of anti-Favreism on the internet and I'm wondering why? What has he said? What has he done? How has he acted? Did he cry? Did he yell? What did he do? Are those enough backup questions?
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:12 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:12 AM on August 7, 2008
I don't think he's particularly unpopular. His reputation as a player and teammate is generally very good; he's had the knock of being a "gunslinger" for a while, which implies poor judgment and impatience, but that he eased up somewhat.
What has tried everyone's patience is his offseason indecision -- retire or not to retire -- has gone on for a couple of years, and then when he finally makes up his mind . . . he changes it again, seemingly with little regard to the good of the Packers. He then goes into high dudgeon because the team doesn't greet him with open arms (they, too, share some blame here), and tries to get traded to the Vikings, a division rival.
As to "stupid athletes": you're joking, right?
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:13 AM on August 7, 2008
What has tried everyone's patience is his offseason indecision -- retire or not to retire -- has gone on for a couple of years, and then when he finally makes up his mind . . . he changes it again, seemingly with little regard to the good of the Packers. He then goes into high dudgeon because the team doesn't greet him with open arms (they, too, share some blame here), and tries to get traded to the Vikings, a division rival.
As to "stupid athletes": you're joking, right?
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:13 AM on August 7, 2008
Response by poster: Haha! Sort of joking. I happen to think they should be paid like $200,000 bucks a year and nothing more but that's just me.
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:17 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:17 AM on August 7, 2008
I know he retired, and then like many stupid athletes before him, realized he could still make a pile of money by coming OUT of retirement and playing another horrible season or two.
First off, I don't think it is want for more money...I think he just wants to play. That's why staying at Green Bay as the backup (with a huge salary) or to take the buyout Green Bay offered him to just go away. Plus, he will have lucrative endorsement deals for many years to come.
Where I think the hate is coming from is that the retire/come out of retirement/etc. rumors really stunt the growth of the Packers for the years to come. Plus, any talk of Favre playing for another team let alone a divisional rival smacks loyalists a traitorous move.
posted by mmascolino at 7:19 AM on August 7, 2008
First off, I don't think it is want for more money...I think he just wants to play. That's why staying at Green Bay as the backup (with a huge salary) or to take the buyout Green Bay offered him to just go away. Plus, he will have lucrative endorsement deals for many years to come.
Where I think the hate is coming from is that the retire/come out of retirement/etc. rumors really stunt the growth of the Packers for the years to come. Plus, any talk of Favre playing for another team let alone a divisional rival smacks loyalists a traitorous move.
posted by mmascolino at 7:19 AM on August 7, 2008
First off, I don't think it is want for more money...I think he just wants to play. That's why staying at Green Bay as the backup (with a huge salary) or to take the buyout Green Bay offered him to just go away.
Ugh...I meant to say that is why he turned those items down.
posted by mmascolino at 7:20 AM on August 7, 2008
Ugh...I meant to say that is why he turned those items down.
posted by mmascolino at 7:20 AM on August 7, 2008
Response by poster: Right, it's like he was taking advantage of the press machine because he knew they would be ALL over his every indecision. Maybe people began to feel he was toying with the system. Hey, if he played well for the Jets I'd cheer. Whatev, it's entertainment is all it is.
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:21 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:21 AM on August 7, 2008
Best answer: I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt despite the spoiled brat tone. As a Jets fan, I am not happy about this. As a football fan, the reason I have ill feelings for Favre, as pointed out above, is that he has now retired and come back three times. And the ex-players who now act as talking heads on every station adore this dude like Jesus to the point that they would rather talk about which pant leg he puts on first in the morning than talking about the next generation of players or people who are actually on competitive teams (yes I know they were competitive last year). It's disgusting. Three years straight we've had the 'Favre is one of the greatest athletes ever' crap from douchetards like Terry Bradshaw and Chris Collinsworth. Then, every year, Green Bay throws him a massive end of season/retirement party at the last game - every station cuts away from their broadcast to show the tears and the streamers - and it's as if Elvis Presley died again. And then hey-oh presto mid summer HE'S BACK! And then all of the broadcasters have to spend two months (like they are doing now) talking ad nauseum about his return and what his prospects are and how great a player he is. My suspicion is that it's racism - he's sort of the last great old school white quarterback and these retired players are from that generation of white quarterback heroes. I should shut up now.
posted by spicynuts at 7:21 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by spicynuts at 7:21 AM on August 7, 2008
Speaking of spoiled brat tone! I should check myself.
posted by spicynuts at 7:23 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by spicynuts at 7:23 AM on August 7, 2008
Response by poster: I'm beginning to sense I have a reputation for being a spoiled brat on here. But check the NYC in my handle. It's inbred. For example, I'm a born Yankee fan and will be until I die, but I still think it's completely irrational to pay them so much money when being a teacher is one of the crappiest paid jobs in the city
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:24 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:24 AM on August 7, 2008
Response by poster: spicynuts you answered the question exactly as I intended. You informed that he is a "repeat offender", expressed your disdain for the sports networks and their coverage, and most importantly, gave me the benefit of the doubt. thank you sir. BWAH HAHA!
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:26 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by ChickenringNYC at 7:26 AM on August 7, 2008
I'm beginning to sense I have a reputation for being a spoiled brat on here. But check the NYC in my handle. It's inbred.
....I'm from NYC, and I don't take that tone with people. It's NOT inbred, and it does a disservice to other New Yorkers to claim it is.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:31 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
....I'm from NYC, and I don't take that tone with people. It's NOT inbred, and it does a disservice to other New Yorkers to claim it is.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:31 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
Re. spicynuts: Wow!
Sports journalists -- esp. the broadcast variety -- endlessly exaggerate the legends of the athletes they favor. And I'm sure that Favre meets certain criteria that amp that up -- small town southern boy who just likes to mow the lawn; plays while hurt; "gambler" mentality; etc.
But I think emphasizing the role of racism goes pretty far. Consider how players like Jeff George or Jeff Garcia, or until recently, Eli Manning, have been pilloried . . . . and, on the other hand, brace yourself for the retirement of Tom Brady.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:32 AM on August 7, 2008
Sports journalists -- esp. the broadcast variety -- endlessly exaggerate the legends of the athletes they favor. And I'm sure that Favre meets certain criteria that amp that up -- small town southern boy who just likes to mow the lawn; plays while hurt; "gambler" mentality; etc.
But I think emphasizing the role of racism goes pretty far. Consider how players like Jeff George or Jeff Garcia, or until recently, Eli Manning, have been pilloried . . . . and, on the other hand, brace yourself for the retirement of Tom Brady.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:32 AM on August 7, 2008
Upon further review, as they say, this thread does seem to have turned into a rant-and-repent. Kind of like talk radio with a soupcon of guilt.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:36 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:36 AM on August 7, 2008
But I think emphasizing the role of racism goes pretty far. Consider how players like Jeff George or Jeff Garcia, or until recently, Eli Manning, have been pilloried . . . . and, on the other hand, brace yourself for the retirement of Tom Brady.
Yes, but you do not hear Bradshaw, Sims, etc get all warbly and dulcet when speaking about Brady etc. Brady is spoken about as a very accomplished player but it is always couched in terms of BILL BELICHICK IS GOD and it's a TEAM etc etc. Broadcasters don't get all dew-eyed and nostalgic like they do when speaking of Favre. They speak about Favre the way Republicans speak about Reagan - an icon of a lost golden era. A beacon in a world they no longer relate to well. Name one black quarterback who gets the reverence that Favre does. Honestly though, it's just a gut feeling - and I don't want to belabor it. It's just that I get a little skeevy feeling in my tummy when I hear these guys speak about this southern white quarterback. Maybe it's just me.
posted by spicynuts at 7:46 AM on August 7, 2008
Yes, but you do not hear Bradshaw, Sims, etc get all warbly and dulcet when speaking about Brady etc. Brady is spoken about as a very accomplished player but it is always couched in terms of BILL BELICHICK IS GOD and it's a TEAM etc etc. Broadcasters don't get all dew-eyed and nostalgic like they do when speaking of Favre. They speak about Favre the way Republicans speak about Reagan - an icon of a lost golden era. A beacon in a world they no longer relate to well. Name one black quarterback who gets the reverence that Favre does. Honestly though, it's just a gut feeling - and I don't want to belabor it. It's just that I get a little skeevy feeling in my tummy when I hear these guys speak about this southern white quarterback. Maybe it's just me.
posted by spicynuts at 7:46 AM on August 7, 2008
Well, Clyde, it was in fact answered, according to the OP. So, he/she got what he/she wanted.
posted by spicynuts at 7:47 AM on August 7, 2008
posted by spicynuts at 7:47 AM on August 7, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DWRoelands at 7:10 AM on August 7, 2008