Brett Favre grew on me a few years ago. At first, I wasn’t a fan of his work or the Green Bay Backers since I am a follower of California NFL teams, particularly the San Francisco 49ers. After a while, the rivalry faded as the Niners became less of a threat following the salary cap debacle and disappointing performances year after year. I didn’t really give Favre much though until he started breaking some impressive records.
The one thing I have always admired is his work ethic. For example, here was a guy that had an extra helping of family tragedy in a short amount of time but remained a professional. He lost his father, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, his brother-in-law was killed on his property, and his family home was destroyed in the 2005 hurricane season. If I’m not mistaken, his mother had a brief hospitalization somewhere in there also.
In spite of any tragedy he was experiencing, he never missed a game. In fact, I don’t remember ever hearing him complain about anything. Come to think of it, I can’t recall complaints of any sort in his career. No prima donna contract disputes, no bad-mouthing of teammates…nothing. I could be missing something since I am not anywhere near Green Bay so correct me if you know of any such whining…
Earlier this week when Favre announced his retirement he became quite emotional at the press conference. I was listening to ESPN radio and one of the guys was tearing Favre a new one for shedding tears. In true “good cop, bad cop” fashion, the other was supporting Favre’s honesty. Some of the commentary did seem a bit forced though - like they were just trying to get listeners to phone in and create buzz. Now, the Internet is full of blogs with fans freaking out about the fact that Favre cried.
Big deal! Seriously! Does this somehow upset people because it means he is actually human? I would like someone to explain to me why the big story around this incredible athlete’s career is the fact he had an emotional press conference. Oh, and don’t leave me some condescending comment that I don’t think it was a big deal because I’m female. Spare me the baloney please, I'm personally not a crier (not that it matters) and I’ve conferred with several male sports fans on this. I can’t find one that thinks Favre’s image is somehow tarnished now. Some of these guys have played pro sports themselves and would be considered quite “manly”. Please give me an intelligent argument as to why Favre's behavior is problematic.
I would think that more relevant stories would be to discuss the "big shoes" that Aaron Rodgers has to fill. How about covering what Mike McCarthy plans to do to keep the team moving ahead without their inspirational leader?
So what is really behind the problem with Brett’s show of emotion? Do tell!
Comments
I think you are sorely mistaken. It takes a REAL man to be able to expose himself and his emotions for all to see. Only an insecure weak man lacks the ability to cry. It's a testament to strength and pride built over 17 years of giving one's all that entitles this man to be able to cry without some other "men" criticizing him.
Radio announcers and journalists have to come up with the big story and they have to represent a lot of different points of view, even if they don't personally believe it. This is why I don't give a damn about these radio guys. They will say anything to keep you on their station and stir the pot.
Favre has been critical of teammates before (See telling Javon Walker that he got a good deal when he was signed, so wait one more year and you'll get paid then. You signed a contract that you were happy with when you signed it, live with it.)
Favre has cried many times, like when his Dad died he was openly crying, at the end of the 2006 season in Chicago he cried, the guy is a blue collar human and there is no shame in being emotional.
Watching his press conference I got the shivers, but I'm not emotionally attached enough to football to cry about his retirement. sure I've got my Packers stock, the piece of my lawn that use to reside in the stadium and somewhere in the 20k area for the season ticket waiting list after 20 some years of waiting, but his retirement is not that big of a deal to most people. Life goes on.
Good for him in being so secure in himself. The guy has gone through a lot of things in the public eye that everyone else gets to deal with in private. He's an honest guy who isn't holding back the truth.
http://gnb.scout.com/2/376285.html
"Favre feels Walker should be more of a team player and honor his current contract.
"Nowadays you're seeing more and more guys pulling that stunt," Favre said. "If guys continue to do that and are successful getting away with it, then I'll be gone, but I think the game will be ruined. My reaction to Javon's situation was, 'Here we go again.'
"Javon has tremendous potential. We got to see some of that last year. The sky's the limit for that guy, and I'd be the first to defend him, but he's going about it the wrong way. What happened to honoring your contract and saying, 'Let's work as a team to see if we can get this done?' Why not go about it that way?
"Maybe I'm old-school, but I always thought you honor a contract. Sure, sometimes guys pass you up in salary, and maybe it's a lesser player, but it's all based on what a team has as far as value in that person. "I sure hope the Packers don't give into him," Favre said. "
You will be missed Brett!
There's a reason men don't talk about their feelings.
Anyway, at least he has a really manly thing to be crying ABOUT, right?
These radio and tv people are paid to be jackasses. None of what they say has any relevance to what real people think about an issue like this.
Nary a dry eye in the state.
And as one who tears up at flippin' insurance commercials (if the music is just right), well, it was good to see the manliest among us weeping like children at Brett's announcement.
The press will get to the 'more relevant stories' just as sure as they were milking the 'men cry?' angle these past few days. Believe me, all the deer hunting in the world won't alleviate the tears of the Packer Faithful if Rodgers doesn't even make it through one full season!
I think it's perfectly alright and incredibly honest for Favre to cry during this press conference. I challenge anyone to walk away from something that has been your entire life for almost 20 years and not be be overwhelmed by emotion. I've been hit by tearful emotions for things far less significant than this.
What's even more annoying, as far as the critical press is concerned, is that none of the folks who seem to think so little of Bret's tears had anything negative to say about the tears shed by Plaxico Burress during an on-field interview immediately following the Giants' victory in this year's Super Bowl.
Anyone who does not have massive respect for Favre by now is too dim-witted to start now so let's not bother discussing it.
To any who still thinks that men must never cry, particularly in front of others, I say "GROW UP! We don't live in caves anymore, or hadn't you noticed?"
Let the man cry, he's leaving part of his life behind!