We all know how this story goes… Little boy cries wolf repeatedly, but it’s one big joke. Then when a real wolf approaches and he screams out for help, nobody believes him.
Brett Favre is that little boy.
Every summer for several years now Favre’s retirement has been headline-making news. Will he or won’t he? Where will he play if he decides to return to the game of football? When will Favre finally make his season debut, or remove himself from the spotlight? Assumptions and rumors hover in the air as football fans everywhere await one simple choice from one man. And just when the public begins to believe he will step down from his pigskin-throwing position, or commit to another year, the 19-year veteran swoops in to say he’s still unsure what the future will bring.
…And then we wait a bit more, or a whole off-season in some cases, as the gossip continues to swirl.
The season continually draws closer and Favre’s lack of appearance at practice games — for whatever team he might be playing for — causes the rumor-mill to swell, nearly busting at the seams with the latest buzz. As preseason officially kicks off, the famed quarterback is sometimes nowhere to be found and fans are left gazing toward each other for answers that this one-time champion refuses to reveal.
Wolf, wolf, wolf.
“FavreWatch” has become commonplace by now, and ESPN has even dedicated a portion of its website toward the indecisive player.
That brings us to today when, yet again, Minnesota Vikings fans stand on their toes as word of a potential decision disseminates from news sources everywhere. He just might finally announce what he’ll be doing for the 2010-11 football season … now that preseason games are already underway. Nothing like waiting ’til the last minute, huh?
Personally, I’d like to see Favre remain in his quarterback role. Why? Well, the man is damn good at what he does despite being 40 years old. He also played one of his best seasons last year after putting on the purple, gold and white for the first time. Does that mean this upcoming season will surpass the previous? Not necessarily, but after such a successful year, why walk away when the potential is clearly there for a few more amazing games? Sure, there’s talk about his injured ankle, and that would, indeed, be a great reason to finally call it quits. If it will heal and provide for a few dozen passes that Favre is surely capable of, I say go for it anyway.
But seriously, just make a decision already.
As an avid football fan — one who often watches ESPN and the NFL Network — the repetiveness is growing tiresome and I’d almost rather see Favre depart from the sport than hear about his possible retirement year after year after year. He’s an outstanding quarterback, which no doubt makes his uncertainty news-worthy. But at some point — perhaps sooner than later — football fans everywhere, no matter what team’s jersey they wear, will stop listening and stop caring. Some have probably done so already.
When it comes down to it, we’ve all heard the “Wolf!” cries one too many times. Maybe it’s time the big, bad guy finally showed up…
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Note: There will be no Tuneage Tuesday today. I know, you’re terribly disappointed. I’m sorry.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Um, first of all, please don’t ever mention NFL Network. I cry about the fact that my cable station (Time Warner) STILL does not carry NFLN.
It’s what got me through my rough first year of college. I love me some Rich Eisen.
Anyway.
I’m really over Brett Favre. I was over him when he retired last season, then came back, had a spectacular year, and is now on the fence. Whatever. I don’t care. He’s just ruining his legacy by all this waffling.
Don’t get me wrong: I think he’s one of the best QB’s who ever played the game and last season? FRICKEN AMAZING! I can’t see him stepping away from the game for good after a year he had. His ankle injury would have to be a lot worse than it seems. I think he’s a stand-up guy and does a lot of good. BUT I’M OVER THE WAFFLING! Make up your mind already. It’s just annoying.
(But Rich Eisen does a great job with FavreWatch on Twitter, I will say.)
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Mindy Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@Stephany, I will make every attempt to never mention NFL Network again. Starting…now.
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I’m over his back and forth. Make a decision and stick to it.
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Ugh. Do not even get me started on this man. Seriously. Make him go away.
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It makes me smile that you wrote about this because, umm, I lived Favre watch for two summers. And was so thankful I didn’t have to participate in it this summer. (Even though that was because I quit the newspaper and moved to a different city where Favre DOES NOT LIVE. Oh well.)
The man is a fantastic football player. I just wish he would make up his mind one way or the other instead of being wishy-washy like this year after year…
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well, I know I’m late to the comment party, but I don’t have a problem with Favre’s “waffling”, because I’ve come to understand that he is a 40 year old man who is used to playing football every fall, as he has essentially been doing since high school(probably). Plus consider that as a 40 year old, he heals slower than he did in his prime, so the injury thing might be more of a factor. In the end though, I think the big problem is that there’s no better way for him to do what he wants to do, namely play without having to deal with training camps and OTA’s. Plus I’d be more concerned with him having ended the last couple seasons with an interception and what that does for his legacy than any media-hyped retirement hullabaloo, he’s a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, regardless.
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