In case you haven't heard, Brett Favre is getting ready to start the regular season as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Thanks to the good people at ESPN, this off-season has been the most Favre-filled since, well, last year. It is a shame that with the regular season just two weeks away, Favre has captured the headlines again.
What is disappointing about the whole Favre saga is how he will look down the road. There's no question Favre has a spot waiting for him in the Hall of Fame, but there's something to be said when it comes to knowing when to quit. Sports will always be about one's legacy, what a player left on the field.
To be fair, Favre is not the first, and certainly not the last, star athlete to play the retirement game. Michael Jordan made a triumphant return to the Bulls after announcing his retirement. Unlike Favre, Jordan was successful when he returned to Chicago, although Jordan did have a slightly less memorable return with the Wizards. Favre's return last year to the New York Jets was mediocre. The team finished with a winning record of 9-7 but missed the playoffs, mostly due to poor play towards the end of the season. His age showed and it was a clear hint that it was most likely time to hang up the cleats.
Maybe it would have been different if Favre had earned his Super Bowl ring in his late 30's rather than his late 20s. The NFL has a history of great players who decide to leave the game as champions. Players like former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Jerome Bettis and Denver Bronco John Elway both decided to quit after they won a Super Bowl.
Favre has a good shot at making the playoffs this year. He has the league's best running back behind him in Adrian Peterson. Last year a strong ground game did not end up helping him that much, even though Jets running back Thomas Jones led the AFC in rushing.
Another question that comes from Favre's decision to join the Vikings is how it affects the rivalry between Brett's old team, the Green Bay Packers, and his new one. What if Derek Jeter finished his career with the Red Sox? What if Mike Krzyzewski got a job as head coach at North Carolina? There would be outrage and uproar, but things seemed to have moved on in Green Bay with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Favre certainly does not owe anyone anything, and he has the right to decide whether he can play or not. That said, the whole situation since he retired from Green Bay seems ridiculous. He could have left everyone with that tearful goodbye after he led the Packers to the NFC Championship game, instead he will most likely be remembered for his failed returns.
You can reach this staff writer at slindauer@theeagleonline.com.
