Ever so slowly, the Packers and Brett Favre are inching closer toward a reunion.
The year started with Favre and Aaron Rodgers presenting an award together at the NFL Honors Ceremony.
Mark Murphy chimed in and said that retiring Favre’s jersey was a priority for the organization.
Aaron Rodgers addressed the divide that still exists between some fans and Favre, saying that it is time to let the healing process begin.
Murphy has even mentioned the possibility of having Favre join the Packers Tailgate Tour some day.
It has been the “Winter and Spring of Favre” so far during 2013, with a lot of conversation taking place on the Packers’ side regarding the inevitable reconciliation between Favre and the organization. Yet Favre had remained quiet about these comments.
Until recently.
During an interview with Joe Buscaglia on WGR 550 in Buffalo, Favre opened up about the past, speaking candidly about the possibility of a reunion with the Packers, Mark Murphy, Aaron Rodgers, and his divorce with the Packers.
Among the highlights of this interview is this very frank comment about retiring his number:
I don’t know of any player who would not want that to happen. I’m honored just by the thought. Obviously there was, if you want to call it, ‘bad blood’ or whatever, I just think that people started picking sides. And really I’m over that and have been over it. Mark Murphy and I have talked on numerous occasions. I never expected them to do anything. I’m not one to sit here and say I think they need to do this and do that. They have a very good ball team and that’s their primary focus and it should have always been, which it has.
As time goes, it heals a lot of things. I know for me as I’ve gotten further and further removed from the game, I think of statistics and things of that nature, which I don’t know any player where that didn’t matter some. It matters a whole lot less now. So the things that transpired that led to us ‘breaking up’ if you will, to me, are over and done with. When will that happen? I don’t think either side is trying to push the issue. I think Mark Murphy — and Mark really came in the last few weeks of my career in Green Bay — he kind of came into a hornet’s nest if you will. He’s been extremely great in trying to make this work. In our discussions, it will happen. I think both sides are genuine. I know they are. And that’s the way it has to come across because that’s the way it should be. We don’t want to go out there waving to the crowd with our backs to each other. And I don’t think that’s going to happen. Aaron has said some very nice things. He and I have a good relationship. I had a chance to present an award with him at the Super Bowl and that was for real. It wasn’t for show. And so I think everything will be fine.
Even more important is for the first time, Favre takes public responsibility for the mess that the Summer of 2008 became:
It’s over and done with. I was at fault…I feel that both sides had a part in it. If you could go back, would I or them have done things differently? I’m sure both sides would. But you can’t.
Very honest words from someone often viewed as being incapable of being honest.
It is interesting to note that Favre mentions that he and Aaron Rodgers have a good relationship. After what was perceived as incredibly bad blood between them, both sides have gone out of their way to state that there is no ill will between them. That, more than anything else, is important, because it is good for the Packers franchise.
At this point, it is only a matter of time before Favre and the Packers reunite. How that will transpire remains to be seen. But the thawing of the ice that has taken place so far this year seems to have left just a few ice cubes that still need to melt. The upcoming summer may be just what is needed to eliminate the last of the ice between the Packers and Brett Favre.
The entire interview with Joe Buscaglia and Brett Favre can be heard right here.
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
30 responses to “Brett Favre Opens Up About the Past, Present, and Future”
Hey John, nice article. I haven’t stayed in touch this off season so when I saw your FB post I clicked. Thanks for the update.
FYI, I do hope they sort it out. I still like Brett. Of course I like Aaron. It’ll be good for all.
No problem Wayne. Glad you liked it.
Your last sentence is the most important thing that everyone needs to understand. You can love Favre or hate Favre. You can love Rodgers or hate Rodgers. You can be somewhere in the middle. But Favre being part of the Packers family is what is good for the Packers.
I think it is good that the Packers and Favre should reunite. Nobody knows for sure what all happened. Time heals wounds. Favre should have his number retired. No matter what happened Favre did a lot for Green Bay.
Exactly. We will (probably) never know everything that happened. But it is important to remember what Favre did for the team while he was there. The divorce may have been messy, but he brought a lot of joy (and some angst) to the fans while he was there.
I don’t know how to express how fortunate us Packer fans are to have 2 great QB’s back to back!
Can’t wait for the day Favre is back at Lambeau, where he belongs.
Looking forward to another exciting season!
Hang the 4 on the ring of honor right next to 15, and save a spot for 12!
“Hang the 4 on the ring of honor right next to 15, and save a spot for 12!”
That is a great comment!
I started watching the Packers back in 94/96. Not sure exactly. But I fell in love with Favre. He is a wonderful QB & did a lot for the team. Rodgers is just as good (if not better) & I can’t wait to see how far he will take the Packers in his career. With the both of them tho….possibilities are endless!!!! Great job guys & keep up the good work! GPG!!!
How could anyone be mad at a guy who did so many things for the Pack? If hes guilty of anything its he loved the game so much he didnt want to quit! He couldnt stay in Green Bay and he wanted to keep playing what were his options? You have to respect that in anyone. Brett, thanks for playing your heart out!
The thing I loved about Brett, he was genuine. He certainly was not a character to be set as a role model. But lets be honest, you knew who he was. He played hard and was not one to give up. He made household names out of players. Each time we lost a receiver to injury or what have you, up comes the next greatest receiver in packers history! (One in particular who should also be pinned as retired number. The best smile in the team history and all-time team leading receiver in catches and yards, no.80 Donald Driver.)
Aaron has shown a lot of class in his tenure so far. His confidence and abilities have made packer fans forget what we lost, and enjoy what we have. The organization definitely made a great but hard choice that summer. How do you pick from a legend and see the legend in the shadows of that dark time?
Lots of great takeaways from your comment. My favorite by far was this:
“How do you pick from a legend and see the legend in the shadows of that dark time?”
That is a great comment.
Thanks for reading!
I personally think Brett is one of the best QB’s that ever played in the NFL. What he did for the Team was put them back in contention in the NFL. And if you all remember how bad we were in the 70’s & 80’s then you know what he did with the team to inspire their play in the 90’s. I will always like Brett. Now my wife thinks he was a traitor and doesn’t like him as much any more. She thinks that Brett made the Packers what they are today.
The 70s and 80s we so bad. Success was so rare. Remember when 8-8 was considered a success?
Favre was a huge part of the rebirth of the franchise in the 90s, and that success has carried into present day.
He is one of the best to ever play. No questions asked-despite some-shall we say- ill timed throws at times.
Thanks for reading!
Brett is a Packer. Always has been, always will be. He is one of the most prolific QBs the game has ever seen. One of my most special moments not only as a Packer Fan, but as a sports lover was the game after his dad died. If you deny that #4 should be retired as a Packer, then you need to give one of our titles back.
I never burned my #4 jerseys like some did because I KNEW, one day he was coming home.
I was lucky enough to be at Brett’s first game as a Packer. Does anyone remember Kitridge Taylor’s name or his end zone catch? No…they remember Favre and his unbridled enthusiasm and love for the game. Regardless of the outcome, we could never question his desire to be a winner. Like a bad divorce, eventually the parents have to come together for the sake of the children. The same is true here!
“Like a bad divorce, eventually the parents have to come together for the sake of the children.”
And that is what Favre and the Packers went through-a very messy, public divorce.
Favre becoming part of the Packers family again is good for the franchise-and it is the right thing to do.
Thanks for reading!
I think it’s wonderful that sides are softening, and hopefully soon the fan hearts will, too. I’ve always enjoyed watching Brett play and he sure did give the Pack a run of good years! Living on the west side of WI gave us opportunity to watch him play as a Viking. He was still a Packer in my mind with a different uniform on. The playoffs were interesting to watch, but to see him get pummeled at the Saints game was very painful to watch as a life-time Packer fan. I’d have liked for him to go to the Superbowl that year.
Would love to see this happen, after all he did for the team who wouldn’t chase the dollar signs if offered. Retire I hope not he has a masterful mind in the Offensive game, would like to see him on the sidelines as a coach
Would like to see #4 and & #80 retired at the same time – and before Brett is inducted into the HOF.
That would be fitting-the leading passer and leader in Packers history have their numbers retired at the same time.
Favre was a great player on the Packers and he does deserve to be welcomed back and retire his jersey. He did a lot for the Packer francize and gave us many good years of pride, this is the time to now come together and let bygones be just that. Looking forward to that day!
I am not so sure everyone will welcome Brett with open arms.
Just think for a minute….If I were to put all my Packer clothes, collections, memorobillia, etc. in the closet and began the next football season wearing and supporting another team like the Vikings, Bears or Lions… I do think many of my Packer friends would not only be PO’ed, but disappointed. Even though I have been a LOYAL Packer fan all my life.
Then in another year or so…. box up all the clothes, etc. and start sporting yet another teams colors… I believe that they would be more annoyed with me.
After my little stint of changing team colors for a few years, I’m sure I’d be accepted back by a good portion of my real packer friends/fans. But definately not all of them. Defection, just because I have a love for the game of football, wouldnt sit well with everyone.
Loyalty was very low on Brett’s list of priorities. He was loyal to himself. He has proven that to me and other fans a couple of times. If it is just all about money and what ‘he’ wanted to do… how much respect and dignity did he think he’s gonna get from the real Packer fans. I certainly didnt lose any sleep when he ‘quit’, but I know more than a few people who felt betrayed, and I admit that I felt a bit that way also. Hey, a lot of hard core Packer fans had hard core feelings. They still do. THAT is a symtom of true loyalty. Brett, through his actions, didnt care then. Why should he expect to be accepted back by everyone. Simple as that.
Personally I dont have no real hard feelings. Brett was a big part of what the Packers have become. Forgivness is cool, but through ‘Brett’s’ actions, with what ‘HE’ wanted, I simply do not have near as much respect for him.
Just my 2¢.
I have no problem with being loyal to ones self first. Especially in a dog-eat-dog environment like professional football. I would be the same way…
It was a two-way street. Brett’s indecision to commit was an issue, and I get that. But after the loss to the Giants in his last stint as a Packer, any athlete will tell you a few months after a defeat like that is NOT enough time to give anyone space to unwind and think about the next year. Packer management was TOTALLY off the mark by pressing him so soon.
Without trying to turn this into a who was right and who was wrong debate, I agree that they should not have pressed the issue so soon after an emotionally draining game. However, business in the NFL doesn’t stop just because a game is lost. So in that respect, I understand why they needed to know, so plans for the 2008 season could begin.
Again, so much should/could have been done differently from January/August 2008. Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time to see if things would have ended differently.
I loved Brett from day one as a packer…..he is what football is all about. I love the game and know more about football than most men but anyway,lol. We as fans and the packer org. needs to give him the up most respect, he got our team to the a super bowl. That is the ultimate goal in football. How many records he broke and made? So lets all come together and all BS put aside and HONOR this man. RESPECTFULLY!!! 🙂
“So lets all come together and all BS put aside and HONOR this man. RESPECTFULLY!!!”
Well put
Thanks for reading!
No hard feelings at all. If any one of us were to be “let go” from our place of employment, and took the same position elsewhere, every one of the haters would say “that’s different.” Brett gave us hope, no matter the score, after 20+ years of ineptitude, he picked up our beloved Packers and carried them. There were others, at times, to share the load, without a doubt, but even Reggie White said it was Favre who helped make his decision. I will argue with anyone that he was the BEST EVER.