Brett Favre made his retirement speech March 6th, 2008. I listened to it on the radio while at work and my eyes watered up. Watching the Packers would never be the same again. I only remember a handful of quarterbacks to play significant time in a game for the Packers. Anthony Dilweg, Mike Tomczak, Don Majkowski and of course, Favre. It took me a few days to really 'move past it' that I wouldn't see him start again for the Packers.[img_r]http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:YHvmjvcfsIrAYM:http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/mar08/favre2_speaks30608-308.jpg[/img_r]

Moving forward to what we know today. Around the time Brett retired he was proposed a marketing deal that would pay him $10 million over 10 years to make public appearances and maintain his role as the face of the Packers. It would also keep Brett very close to the Packers and the game he grew up with.

This Marketing deal has been in motion since the month Brett retired. It has not been agreed to in principle or by signature as of yet. Most recently we are receiving reports that it has maintained the ten year mark, however has peaked over $20 million through out the duration to keep Brett part of the Packers organization for life. I don't think many understand the marketing aspect to this deal. The fans would get to see Brett more than they probably did during his tenure as a Packer player. This type of agreement is very common, especially in the MLB where I believe Hank Aaron is still collecting money from the Braves.

Some want to believe this Marketing deal is a bribe to keep Brett off the field. One problem with that. The Packers have stated publicly and privately to Brett that the deal is NOT dependent on his playing football again. Let me make that clear. The marketing deal is on the table regardless if Brett is an active player of the NFL or if he remains retired.

I do not have any source on this being an issue, but keep in mind that Bus Cook gets the maximum of 3% of Brett's annual salary if he is to play. Which is substantively less than the upwards of 15% he could potentially receive via the marketing deal.

Another aspect that has not been properly made public is that the Packers would have buckled and took Brett back had he NOT did the Greta Van SplasticFace interview. Had he not betrayed the trust of private conversations and business dialog we could be watching Brett in training camp right now.

I love Brett Favre and I love the Green Bay Packers and if you feel the same as me, please, get the facts before you pass judgement and criticize either the player or the team. Why? Because I have it on a good accord that neither is no where near as bad as they are being made out to be by ESPN and other media outlets.

True, things could have been handled better, but no one is perfect, not our beloved Brett Favre and not our beloved Green Bay Packers.

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Nicely said man, I'm sick and tired of people saying that the Packer Organization bribed him and are dispicable and Ted T. should be fired.

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Which is it Brett?
Previously: [ul]Brett told Al Jones he didn't understand why the media is referring to the Marketing Deal as a bribe because thats not what it is. [/ul]

8/5/08: [ul]Brett told Chris Mortensen that the Packers tried to buy him off into retirement.[/ul]


Which is it Brett?
More Previously: [ul]VAN SUSTEREN: What about competing for starting quarterback?
FAVRE: Why?
VAN SUSTEREN: I'm just asking. I'm just asking that...
FAVRE: That's what I would ask them, Why? Well, Brett, you retired, you know what I mean?[/ul]
Previously: [ul]Brett told Chris Mortensen "Let me compete, you'll know I'll win this job"[/ul]
8/5/08: [ul]"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition, I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time." ... "I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work."[/ul]


Edit, He apparently isn't a big boy and can't let business be business. Kind off odd considering he's the one who blasted the piss out of Ted, but yet Ted's willing to bring him back and now he's not willing to come back? Somethings not right.

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http://boards.espn.go.com/boards/mb/mb?sport=nfl&id=gnb&tid=3200982&lid=1 

just for you zero 😉

lol nice ... you can post the link to this site all over in those boards if you'd like to Smile

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I enjoyed your post, zero. That's a good overall perspective to have.

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So... sick of hearing about this.

I never got to post my thoughts, so hear goes.


I heart Brett. Always have and will. It turns my stomach to see him in a different uniform, and turns my stomach to see pictures and video clips as recent as last season of him in Green & Gold.

Some fans for the past 10-11 years have heralded & viewed him as a god, or a father figure, or a best friend that they've just never met face to face yet. But I know he is just a human being. A man. Humans are inherently flawed, imo, and we all saw some of his this past summer. I have no ill will, and hope he is hugely successful in Jersey.

The only people that annoy me in all of this are the obnoxiously loudly opionated fans who revere him and make this whole situation transcend sports. It's a game. Enjoy it, and stop taking personal offense to the way someone runs your favorite business.

Once he was traded, and there was Brett's initial bucking of the trade, I thought to myself, "Whew. He's Jets fans' headache now." Nothing against him, but man, the dude can be a pain up in the neck. I wish him well, I think both sides screwed up, but I'm ready to look ahead. Go Rodgers, and Go Pack Go!

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Agreed

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2 great posts... Z2C and pack_in_black. Well said guys!

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Argh, I could kick myself in the nuts for not providing the links.
:slam:

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