Ex Packers Fan
I know I'm going to take flak for this. And some of you could care less. But I've got to get this off my chest.
I've been a die hard Packers fan since I was seven years-old. I prayed for them to win. And I cried when they lost. I have cheese in my blood! So I never thought I'd write these words: I cannot bring myself to cheer for the Packers. Not after the way management has treated Brett Favre.
Sure, Favre should not have waffled about retirement. But he's the only three-time MVP in NFL history. He's won more games than any QB in history! And he has led Green Bay to the best winning percentage since he started his first game in 1992. And you want to pay him $25 million not to play? Are you kidding me? And you want to ditch him for a guy who's never even started a game? Here's my take. There is no way the Packers are better without Favre. But the GM drafted Rodgers three years ago so Rodgers is "his guy." The Packers should be rolling out the red carpet, throwing a party, holding a parade. Instead, they are running Favre out of town.
Is Brett Favre faultless? No way. But in my estimation, the Packers hierarchy are too proud and too stubborn to let him back. If the Packers post a better record than last year's 13-3, I'll eat crow. I'm serious! If they don't, I'll eat cheese.
In one month, I've gone from die hard fan to ex fan. I hope something happens to redeem the situation. But I feel like I'm living in football purgatory!
I've been a die hard Packers fan since I was seven years-old. I prayed for them to win. And I cried when they lost. I have cheese in my blood! So I never thought I'd write these words: I cannot bring myself to cheer for the Packers. Not after the way management has treated Brett Favre.
Sure, Favre should not have waffled about retirement. But he's the only three-time MVP in NFL history. He's won more games than any QB in history! And he has led Green Bay to the best winning percentage since he started his first game in 1992. And you want to pay him $25 million not to play? Are you kidding me? And you want to ditch him for a guy who's never even started a game? Here's my take. There is no way the Packers are better without Favre. But the GM drafted Rodgers three years ago so Rodgers is "his guy." The Packers should be rolling out the red carpet, throwing a party, holding a parade. Instead, they are running Favre out of town.
Is Brett Favre faultless? No way. But in my estimation, the Packers hierarchy are too proud and too stubborn to let him back. If the Packers post a better record than last year's 13-3, I'll eat crow. I'm serious! If they don't, I'll eat cheese.
In one month, I've gone from die hard fan to ex fan. I hope something happens to redeem the situation. But I feel like I'm living in football purgatory!
38 Comments:
I am sure that Chris Jarrell and I would welcome another Steelers fan.
i agree
how does this happen?
i'm thinking the Packers' public relations person must have been on summer vacation when all this went down
Hey Mark,
I'm a HUGE Favre fan... but I have a very differnt take on the whole saga. I'll point my folks over here to read yours... but I encourage you to take a look at mine... funny thing is, it looks like we published these different points of view at almost the identical same time.
http://markdoebler.com/2008/08/05/brett-favre-mccarthy-church-leadership/
As a kid growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with brothers who attended Southern Miss while Favre was there... the guy was my childhood idol.
He might have let this "will he, won't he" thing go on for the last 2 years, but I'd still take him. Even over Drew Brees... who may lead my Saints to a Super Bowl birth this year.
Anyway, why not just root for the team Favre did growing up? (That'd be the Saints, just like all of us on the Coast.)
Here's the best fix: become a college football fan. Apart from the joy you experience from living for God, being an LSU fan is the closest thing to heaven you'll experience on earth. Don't argue. Not until after you've experienced a game in Death Valley. Let me know when you're ready. Put it on your life goals list.
But if you must remain a pro football fan, don't feel so bad. Try being a Saints/Aints fan all your life. Forget cheeseheads. We've worn paper bags. That puts things in perspective, doesn't it? And you thought you were having a difficult time being a Packers fan right now.
Good thoughts, Mark. I am admittedly biased and emotional about this.
Mark
No doubt that Favre was a very good quarterback. Still is a good QB. But his whole "look at me" spend forever deciding to retire only to then unretire saga has been simply pitiful.
The Packers would be better off without him (especially long term). I hope Rodgers wins the job outright in camp.
Minnesotans are shameless Vikings fans (biggest show in town even when the Twins are winning) after being 0 for the Superbowl and enduring Denny Green bunker speeches and Randy Moss shenanigans. We would welcome Favre with open arms because it would be the ultimate insult to the Cheeseheads we love to hate!
A trade to the Vikings would be a dream scenario! Wish it would happen. But I don't think it will.
I wouldn't go so far to say I'm an ex-Packers fan, but I'm definitely not a fan of Ted Thompson.
I understand that the Pack moved on, and let's even set aside the legacy that Favre has - he is still a top 3 quarterback. The front office knows this, which is why they are trying to prevent him from playing.
I say let it be resolved like McCarthy announced it would be - a QB competition. We all know how that would end, and we would see Brett running out on September 8th in a Packers uniform ready to lead the Pack to a potential Superbowl.
I've never been a Packers fan, but I can't help but be a Brett Favre fan. He's everything that's good about football.
It's absolutely ridiculous to see how the management & coaching staff have treated him. Brett never took a game off in his entire career as a starter. They should be THRILLED to have him back - they could content again but, instead, they are treating him like he's owed nothing...
Oh well.
I blogged a bit about this whole thing myself.
There is salvation for all. You are more than welcome as a Dallas Cowboys fan! Looking forward to meeting you next week at MoMENtum '08.
Mark, you know it's time.....the Bears are calling you. It will be a risky step to take, but I believe in you.
I can't help but to think that this is all about money on Favre's end.
His wife even said not to entertain any offers less than $25 million not to play. And don't tell me its about contractual obligations either. This is all about ego and $$ in his eyes. He should have stayed and played the remainder of his contract.
What GB could do is cut him and then they'd have to pay him his money, but he wouldn't be eligible for a trade. That's what I think they should do. And I'm sure that thought will rile some feathers, but it will end their headaches. One player shouldn't hold an organization hostage.
Again...all of that is my opinion.
Terry
Being a die hard Packers Fan do you know what kind of Pastors salary that would be worth in WI? LOL J/K! It is straight up stubbornness and pride on the part of the management! Most teams would kill to have a guy like that! Even if he is aging for the game!
I say 'amen' to becoming a Steeler's Fan. Here's why:
1. Great ownership. Rooneys never pull stuff like this.
2. Tremendous tradition.
3. They can win it soon, again.
4. Roethlisburger is a lot like Farve in many ways. He has that 'throw it up there' personality.
5. Green Bay and Pittsburgh has similar thoughts about football. they both have that 'blue collar' toughness.
6. Five Super Bowl Rings!
7. God is a Steeler's Fan.
I could go on. But I don't want to try to hard to convert you.
With sympathy for your Packer's plight.
Jeff
None of us die hard fans will agree about the team God roots for, but I do agree about the mistreatment of Farve, but at some point, all greats have to exit the stage. I'm a life-long Broncos fan and we haven't been the same since we lost Elway - we do love Cutler, but his still green - the Packers a going to have a rough couple of years adjusting and sorting out the inseparable Favre/Packers dynasty.
Deuce,
Definitely not about the money. Otherwise he would have taken the "bribe" offer :) Can you imagine being offered 25 million NOT to play? It's the "love the game." No one loves the game more! Even at 38!
My two cents or twenty-five million,
Mark
Packers have made a huge mistake. But they made it when they promised Rodgers the position. That was stupid. I hope he does okay because I think he's a good guy, but McCarthy needs his butt kicked for some of the comments he's made about Favre not having his act together. In other words, "Brett's not gonna let me push him around, so he's outta here." That's stupid. I still love my Pack but I'm very anti-McCarthy and Thomson right now.
GM = Sr Pastor
QB (or RB) = Main Worship Leader
If you had to release a popular worship leader, because he/she wasn't following the game plan, you'd want your people to trust you despite an unpopular decision. (Congregation doesn't know the inside story.)
Quitting the packers is akin to quitting your church because you don't like a decision the pastor made.
Quitting is too easy.
That said, I'd put Brett F right back in the starting role.
Come over to the dark side. My Dallas Cowboys have a soap opera quarterback, Terrell Owens, and Pacman Jones, but they're going to win a playoff game this year.
Since you made your home in Chicago for a while, we Bears fans will gladly take an exiled Packer fan like yourself.
Well there is always the NE Patriots to root for. Not only that we have a history of taking great QB's as back-ups. Maybe Favre would be willing to don the blue and silver. Just a thought. ;)
amen mikefoster-
then mark could join the ranks of the wise sports fans on staff like joel and me...
i think we would embrace him into the fold and teach him the ways of the bears and cubs.
and just think, as a bears fan, we can promise him that he won't have to go through the turmoil of losing a hall of fame quaterback ever again... cuz we don't have one :)
*hasler
@pastormark,
You just keep believing that it isn't about money and ego. :-P LOL!
I still think Favre is a whiny baby who needs to realize that he's done. I mean, who kept GB from heading further into the playoffs? Wasn't it him? Heheh...
You know I love ya Pastor Mark! I hope you know I'm not serious. Just gotta give you a hard time!
Terry
"A prophet is without honor in his own cheesecake factory" ... My empathy to all. Kudos to the comments about the awesome Pittsburgh Steeler organization. As a Steeler fan, I'm relieved that we won't have to play against Favre, if we ever play the Packers.
Question to Pastor Mark: Do you get these many comments when you throw a theological/doctrinal rant out there?
Mark,
Even as a born and bred Lions fan, I think this situation is terrible. Now word is, he's going to the Bucs...THE BUCS! I'm sure there is PLENTY of room on the Bucs bus for another fan.
I live in New England now (beautiful Rhode Island), so there is always room on the Patriots wagon. I'd even get you a personalized jersey (in exchange for 1 hour of one on one leadership time of course...and I'm serious
During practice each day all day everyone keeps chanting "We want Brett! We want Brett!"
Poor Aaron Rodgers.
Definitely feel bad for Aaron Rodgers. He got caught in the management vortex. But at least he has the GM chanting his name while the fans chant Brett :)
Mark
For the record, I'm also a Vikings and Redskins fan. So I have two fall back teams :)
I'm a complicated football animal. I was born in Minneapolis--thus the Vikings. Moved to Wisconsin--thus the Packers. Live in DC--thus the Redskins.
I know you aren't supposed to have three teams, but what can I say? I am who I am.
Mark
Nothing wrong with three teams! I have Green Bay, Indy, and Carolina, in that order, for NFL alone. College sports gets two - Tarheels and Tennessee. In that order. NBA gets nothing.
Big time packers fan here...and I say he had to go. I said it two years ago, the first time retirement talk began, and I will say it again.
The way he has handled this situation in recent months has been a total embarrassment of himself. The Packers have moved on and I say it's time for the rest of us to move on with them.
Mark,
I'm from California, about 20 min from where Aaron Rogers grew up, so we have all been excited to see him play. I have one really important question though: When you say crow, do you mean like the literal black bird? That's just gross. I'd rather lick a dead seal than eat crow.
--Kurt Libby
Yes, the gross bird. I will eat crow if the Packers top 13-3 record. Mark my blog! But I think I'll be eating cheese instead :)
Mark
Greetings Mark,
You are always welcome to become a Steelers fan, as a couple of other posters mentioned!
Nothing wrong with being a fan of two or three NFL teams. I root for just the Steelers, but I also am a fan of two MLB teams: the Red Sox and the Nationals!
Wow look at all the comments to your post!! Everyone trying to pull you over to their favorite team. All I know is that Brett is not only MVP caliber, but also an awesome ambassador for the NFL here in Canada. I have known many Packer fans up here because of Brett's heart for the game. Remember the Monday Night game he played after his father passed on? Remember the adversity he faced while his wife was battling cancer? I think that any team would be glad to have such an awesome player.
I hear the sound of crickets coming from Green Bay. Ahh....peace at last. :-)
Terry "Deuce" Hartley
It's about the team.
It's not personal.
Go #12. Go team.
Get over it.
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