The distance between the Packers and Brett Favre continues to shrink.
In the past few months, Aaron Rodgers and Favre have appeared on stage together, the first time the two were seen together since their final battle against each other in 2010.
Mark Murphy has spoken about the inevitable retirement of Favre’s number 4.
He has also spoken about how he would one day like to have Favre on the Packers Tailgate Tour.
Today, the distance might have shrunk a little more.
Speaking on the Jim Rome Show, Rodgers came out and said he would like to have Favre back in the Packers family before his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2016, including having his number retired.
“I’m excited about it. I really am. It’s been too long. I think our country and the state of Wisconsin, these people are people of second, third and fourth chances, and I think it’s time to let the healing process begin for those who are still upset about what went down.”
“I was totally OK with being out front of that and I’m very secure of the things I’ve been able to accomplish with the team and individually here in Green Bay, and excited about the chance to see him again and get his number retired here before he goes into Canton.”
Whatever distance there was between Rodgers and Favre seems to have dissipated greatly over the past few months. While they may never be best friends, there does seem to have been a burying of the hatchet between the two sides.
Which begs the question: if Rodgers is OK with bringing Favre back into the Packers family, when will this actually take place?
If Aaron Rodgers is willing to accept Brett Favre back into the Packers family, after all of the background between the two, it should be a clear signal that everyone should be willing to accept him back.
John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com and co-host of Cheesehead Radio. To contact John follow him on Twitter @jrehor or email johnrehor@yahoo.com
8 responses to “Aaron Rodgers: “It’s Time to Let the Healing Process Begin””
I,like many other are just fans and I like many fans was very distraught over Favre going to the Vikings,even if it was via the NY Jets for a season first.I,however unlike many a fan,moved on from it and have accepted it as other fans of teams and players have done so,regretfully all to many times.
The reason or reasons some may still be laboring with this fact and are still in hatred mode of his number being retired and name etched into hallowed halls of the Green Bay Packers needs now to be solely inclusive of his play if there is to be a reason.
With that said,and with the words spoken by Murphy and Rodgers recently,it still takes the other side,Brett Favre himself,to offer up some graciousness,not an apology,so this Honoring may come to fruition and closes the door on an un-erasable memory for all.
The door is now completely open with hat-in-hand on one side and the wait begins for the other to walk in from the other side with hat-in-hand.
The down side of this..both sides can be looked at as baffoons.The Packers allowing Favre to take forever and waiting,and Favre for taking too long in acceptance and the offer becomes withdrawn and never happening.
There is one thing which in my opinion Favre needs to do at some point sooner than later, which you mention in your comment. That is some sort of acknowledgement to the fans for their support during his time in GB.
He doesn’t need to apologize for what happened (although that might go a long ways for some in accepting him back) but something to say thank you to the legions of people who stood by him through thick and thin. It is the PR move that should be made, and should have already been made IMO.
Thanks for reading, and your comment!
I say no.
I don’t think it’s proper to “welcome back” someone who went as far out of their way as this individual did to hurt the organization, and fans, who gave him a more than a fair chance.
Not to mention the message it would send to young people that they can act in any way they desire and it’ll all be OK…eventually, with enough time.
He acted hurtfully, with malice and waived his middle finger at all of the people who did all they could to support him.
So, no…this is something this football fan cannot support.
Retire a Viking…as Packer fans indeed HAVE moved on, with you Brett.
This is what makes the Favre/Packers debate something which will continue probably for all time.
While I do not agree with your stance of not accepting him back, I certainly respect it because of the actions of Favre.
In some way, unique to every individual, the actions of 2008 (technically before but we’ll make it easy) affected every Packer fan, every Favre fan, and every fan of both. And we all continue to deal with the actions to this day.
Thanks for reading and for your comment!