Those Who Can’t Play, Write
By Chad Brown
One thought came to mind repeatedly this week and manifested itself during a pair of press conferences at Lambeau Field. No Green Bay Packers fan or Wisconsin resident can look forward to any calendar year ending in the number 8. In 1958 The Packers, in the words of one legendary sports writer, “Overwhelmed one team, under whelmed ten teams, and merely whelmed another team”. In January ‘68, Vince Lombardi’s Packers won Super Bowl II but lost their legendary coach a few weeks later. Just a hunch, but there probably wasn’t anything of note to report during the ’78 and ’88 seasons. Although ’98 started off well—a third consecutive victory in the Bay of Pigs series, a second consecutive NFC title—Mike Holmgren admitted his wanderlust in the week leading up to Super Bowl XXXII, Terrell Davis ran roughshod over the Pack and Reggie White made a bizarre speech on diversity. Now, the winter months of ’08 will forever be associated with three images of Brett Favre; his underhand toss in the snow against Seattle (along with a few decent overhand tosses on the day), his only pass of overtime in the NFC Championship Game, an interception by the Giants, and an emotional retirement press conference where #4 broke into tears 30 seconds in.
But relax, I come here not to rip Favre or mock the Pack’s winters of misfortune in years ending in 8s. I watched Thursday’s press conference transfixed like everybody else, knowing that this was going to be my last time seeing him associated with the Packers. Hopefully, anybody skeptical of his intentions will take him at his word that he just doesn’t want to play anymore. After a stellar season, he doesn’t have to say that he can still play. The film doesn’t lie and ’07 was a great movie that fell apart in the end. For all the streaks, all the team and league records broken, for all the comebacks, for all the “He’s having fun out there”, being Brett Favre was a true grind. He gave everything he had and got everything the game has to offer him, short of a Super Bowl MVP. At his age, he enjoyed the three hours on Sundays—as we all did and do—but fatigue was evident in his description of Mondays through Saturdays these past couple of seasons his voice. Without question, it’ll be strange when Kickoff Weekend ’08 rolls around and #4 isn’t behind center. However, it may better for him to leave on his own terms than be knocked out of the game. By contrast, if Steve Young and Troy Aikman’s departures weren’t concussion related, then the specters of Young as a Bronco or Aikman as a Dolphin wouldn’t be raised. Do I think Favre will second-guess his decision? Possibly. It’s human nature and he’s earned that right as much as he’s earned all the accolades. Is he coming back? Probably for a ceremonial coin toss; otherwise, I doubt it.
Favre’s 17-year career parallels my development and maturation as a football fan. I might not agree that he was the best ever to play the game—Top 5 definitely—and honestly, sometimes the slobberation on the part of the mainstream media towards him bordered on nauseating. But that’s on them, not him. Whether he was the erratic gunman, the three time MVP of the mid ‘90s, the wily veteran in the new century, or the man who made as many passes as he got, you had to watch whenever the Packers played. 275 games, Bears, Vikings, Buccaneers, Cowboys, 49ers, Seahawks, Eagles close win or blowout loss. Whoever said it was about him, he knew it was about the team, as he admitted today. So, thanks for the memories, thanks for being an MVP on and off the field and thanks for showing everybody in and outside of Cheesehead Nation how to play and how not to play. It was fun, without question.
Ok, enough with the platitudes. Aaron covers that much better than I could. Here are my Top Ten Favre Moments/Memories. Diggystyle, of course.
10. Game winning touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, at Detroit, Wild-Card Playoffs ‘93/’94
#4 and #84 had hooked up twice for touchdowns in the contest and Favre had “unintentionally” fed one to the Lions. 24-21. He’s running around near midfield, then heaves one downfield to Sharpe, who got wide open in the endzone. That ball went so far that Favre wasn’t about to run down there and congratulate his receiver. He just celebrated with whoever was near him. Remember, this was the Packer’s first playoff victory since ’72 and the Lions weren’t the national disgrace that they’ve been as of late. Two NFC Central titles, a trip to the NFC Championship Game after the ’91 season and Barry Sanders was better known than his future co-MVP. Funny how one great pass changes things.
9. Game winning touchdown pass to Kitchrick Taylor, in relief of Don Majkowski, vs. Bengals, ‘92
These were the days waaay before NFL Sunday Ticket or my being of age to go to sports bars. So, I didn’t actually see this one live, but caught a highlight while doing Political Theory homework or struggling with Algebra II or III, whatever (I’m dating myself, my bad). At the time it was, oh, nice play, he looks better than Hostetler or Nagle. Seeing the play many, many times via NFL Films, especially the throw itself, it’s the start of something special.
8. Versus the Cowboys; The Great Times, The Good Times and The Shit Times. Mainly, they were shit times.
Okay, I know the Packers only beat the Cowboys once in the ‘90s and mostly to Barry Switzer coached teams. Basically he was Manning to the Pokes Patriots, if that makes any sense. Still, even when the team couldn’t quite get it done against the Triplets, Favre still had his moments. He connected with Sterling Sharpe for four touchdown passes on Thanksgiving Day in ’04, including one long pass that is a staple in his highlight films (notice a trend here). In the ‘95 NFC Championship Game, he, Robert Brooks and Keith Jackson matched Aikman, Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek td pass for td pass for three quarters. Alas, an ill-timed 4th quarter interception and Emmitt Smith denied Favre a trip to Arizona. Still, when those Cowboys finally came to Lambeau in ‘97, Favre, Antonio Freeman, Dorsey Levens and company paid them back to the score of 45-17. John Madden was the real winner here, since Favre was/is/always will be his quarterback and those Cowboys of the ‘90s were his team.
7. ’95 Divisional Playoff win at San Francisco.
With all due respect to Terrell Owens and co., this first win in the playoffs/regular season series is the most remarkable in my mind. The Niners were the defending Super Bowl Champions, they had the league’s #1 ranked defense, Steve Young was MVP before Favre, and the team hadn’t lost in the divisional round since the strike shortened ’87 season. Holmgren had been the Niners offensive coordinator in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, so he knew how to attack/contain them. LB Wayne Simmons and CB Craig Newsome produced the game’s first touchdown, and the defense held Jerry Rice scoreless. However, Favre more than justified his MVP selection, going 21-of 27 for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 27-17 win. Two memories stand out from that game—apart from Holmgren’s “Kick Ass” speech. 1. The Packers took the opening kickoff and held the ball for almost 8 minutes. Even though Chris Jacke shanked a field goal attempt, one could tell that Favre and co. weren’t intimidated by the Niner mystique. 2. 2nd half, not sure which quarter, #4 drops back, falls on his rear—no slipping—gets up still throws a perfect strike to Jackson. Then he just shrugs in the direction of a Niners defender.
6. Against the Bears in ’95, where one severely sprained ankle meant five touchdown passes.
With the exception of the Lovie Smith regime, Favre’s Packers pretty much owned the Bears. In ’95, he had already connected with Robert Brooks on a 99 yard touchdown pass at Soldier Field. Now, after he and Ty Detmer were banged up in a loss at Minnesota, nobody knew who was going to start. Heck, Ron Wolf signed Jim McMahon off the street. Favre couldn’t walk or practice and the NFC Central was a dogfight then. So the streak was over, right? Wrong. Favre threw for over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns, pretty much clinching the MVP award. The Bears went from 6-3 to 9-7 and wouldn’t beat the Pack until ’99.
5. The Bay of Pigs; Favre, Sapp, Let’s Get It Started. 4 + 99 = Classic Matchups.
Favre’s MVP seasons coincided with the Buccaneer’s rise from sub-mediocrity. The face of the Pewter Pirates was DT Warren Sapp, who coincidentally, announced his retirement on Tuesday. I love seeing the footage from the Bucs-Packers divisional playoff game following the ’97 season (I was en route to DC on that day, so footage is all I had). Sapp had a monster game that day, including three sacks of #4. But the Mouf of the Souf couldn’t completely get into Favre’s head. Seeing them smiling and jawing at each other despite frigid temperatures and an NFC Championship berth at stake is a sight to behold. Oh, the Packers won that game. In ’98 at Lambeau, the QB Killa lost his helmet and still chased down his rival. The Pack won that game, too. Another memorable game happened when Favre led the Packers from behind against the Bucs in ’99 on his 30th B-day with a late TD pass to Freeman. After the game, Bucs QB Trent Dilfer simply stated, “We got Favred!” Still the Bucs got the last laugh that year, winning the now defunct NFC Central.
4. Press conference moments.
The ’96 offseason announcement of Vicodin addiction and subsequent entry into rehab remains poignant as ever. Just saw it on a re-airing of America’s Game. Post-game talks following last minute wins against the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings were extremely emotional. Holmgren was gone to Seattle and the reins had been removed for better or worse (at 8-8, it’s a wash which one it is). Finally, his official retirement press conference, where he wore his shirt untucked, his heart on his sleeves and his emotions for all to see. This last one will be re-aired several times in the weeks to come, that may be the last original airing that we see for sometime.
3. Monday (Sunday and sometimes Thursday) Night Magic.
As Favre mentioned at the aforementioned final press conference, his legacy wasn’t all about statistics and his accomplishments, records and the like were a team effort. Yet, has he ever shone under the lights? Regulation or overtime, it was usually all good for the Packers’ faithful and the viewing audience. Not so good for the opposition. From Freeman’s “He did what????!!!!” catch against the Vikings on a Monday Night in ’00 to his recent overtime bomb to Greg Jennings on the first play of overtime against the Broncos in ’07, he knew how to bring it. However, I think we’re all still in awe of his 399 yards 4 TD performance at Oakland in the wake of his father’s death in December of ’03. Everybody would’ve understood had he taken the night off. But Irv Favre would’ve wanted his son to play, no matter what. So, forty page paper be damned, I sat and watched the television, transfixed like everybody else. It felt like as much as he didn’t want to leave the team down, the team rallied around him, playing a spectacular game of pitch and catch. One week later they won the NFC North and made the playoffs, but that particular performance had as much to do with it.
2. Super Bowl or Bust. Just bet against him.
Okay, in hindsight, this might not have been the best policy, since the Packers were 1-1 in the big game under the Wolf-Holmgren-Favre triumvirate. But his audibles and subsequent touchdown passes to Andre Rison and Freeman (the latter coming when they really, really needed it) showed why he was the best quarterback on the best team in the league in ’96. No quarrel with Desmond Howard being named Super Bowl XXXI’s MVP and Reggie White’s 3 consecutive sacks were crucial. However my signature image from that game came after that first score, when he took off his helmet and held it in the air while sprinting towards the endzone. If he had tried that in SB XXXII, would’ve been a penalty. Speaking of that game, it wasn’t the team’s finest performance, and he was under tremendous pressure thanks to a great Broncos game plan, but #4 did his best to keep his team in it. Who knows what happens if that final 3rd down collision and 4th down deflection don’t happen. Still, he showed an MVP’s heart in one of the Super Bowls ever. And his teams weren’t too shabby in NFC Championship Games, despite a 2-2 record in that round.
1. A Man For All Seasons.
No one particular game or play stands out here, but the man came to play and played well, the elements not withstanding. Now, how is this unique, one might ask? Isn’t that what football players are paid and expected to do? Well, whether it was the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, which felt absolutely Lombardiesque in the ’96 NFC Championship Game, or the muck of a Northern California monsoon, very few played better as the weather and field conditions turned worse or had more fun than the Packers in general and Favre in particular. Much was made of his record in cold weather games—a Mississippi “boy” having a good time in frigid conditions while another Southern QB named Manning struggled to get the job done in similar “temps” in Foxboro for a couple of years. That’s partly why we’ll remember his final games so starkly; having fun in the snow at Lambeau and beating his old mentor in the process. One week later, he came up short in temperatures where he usually prevailed. But more of the than not, the team didn’t come up short very often during his tenure, whatever the conditions.
There are plenty of moments that either didn’t make the cut or might fall under one of these categories. It doesn’t make them un-noteworthy. His body of work is unlikely to be repeated, although Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are on pace to approach them, should they stick around for another decade. Thanks for the highlights, memories, toughness, fun times, frustration (speaking for pro and anti Packers faithful), side armed passes, rocketballs, interceptions, injury defiance, wisecracks, anecdotes, fart jokes, “wow” plays (these go both ways), picking up of teammates and reminding us that even if things look bad or tough, #4 will find a way to make something good happen, more often than not. In the end, this last one became too much for him to bear, but he bore it longer than any of his contemporaries. So long, Brett, and enjoy doing, in the words of Bum Phillips, a whole lot of nothing and starting whenever you feel like it.
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