Those of you who follow the NFL know that the biggest story so far from training camps is the news regarding Brett Farve...that is, no news at all.
Two days before the start of the Minnesota Vikings' camp, Farve won't play for them, after all. After keeping everyone on edge the entire summer, this story ends with a resounding thud. We've been Farved again.
It's become a joke, now. See this story from Sports Illustrated's Don Banks: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/07/28/favre/index.html. One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time has become the object of ridicule and contempt. He's now a punchline for late-nite comics. He's ruined whatever goodwill he had with football fans and has become almost a pariah in Green Bay, where he was worshippped as a hero.
Basically, Farve's problem is he wants to play football, but doesn't want to go through the rigors of training camp and practice, like every other player. He thinks he should be able to ride out the spring and summer on his farm in Mississippi, then show up for the start of the season. Sorry, doesn't work that way, even for one of the best players in the league.
What a shame. Farve connected to the average football fan like no other QB of his time did. He was a regular guy. He didn't speak in polished sound bites, wear clothes that 99% of people couldn't afford, travel with an entourage. He didn't give off so much as a whiff of arrogance. He spoke from the heart, plainly and directly. He wore his emotions on his sleeve. He played with a gunslinger's attitude and an almost reckless, "sandlot" style that the average Joe could relate to. He even had "normal" problem, including a bout with alcohol that his wife, Deanna, almost left him for, but he eventually overcame. The country boy from the bayous of Mississippi was one of the most famous athletes in America. All of it, down the toilet.
And the worst part of it is, it's probably not over yet. Farve has never "officially" retired. He's changed his mind so many times, I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up with some team sometime this season.
Please, Brett. Do us all a favor and call it a day. Don't leave us hanging again. You're not the same player you once were. If you don't have the fire to go through camp and practices with your teammates, then it's time to hang 'em up. Please don't Farve us again!
It's spelled F-A-V-R-E. It's not spelled like it sounds.