Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre sat down with ESPN’s Mike Tirico for a podcast interview in which the retired signal caller talked about his days with his old team and a possible return to Titletown. What would your reaction be if Favre traveled to Lambeau Field this season and took in a Packers game?
It seems like an eternity since Favre broke ties with the historic franchise. The divorce between the two sides was brutal and the fact it played out in the public did not help the aching hearts of Green Bay fans all over the world. His stint with the Minnesota Vikings did not help things either as it turned sad Packers fans into angry ones.
The hatred the Green Bay fans felt towards their once beloved quarterback was heightened, but Favre appeared to be just as angry if not more so. He certainly did not like how things ended as he felt the Packers was his franchise. It is understandable why he may have thought this considering the things he was able to get away with over the years.
The fact Aaron Rodgers has turned out to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL has really helped fans get over Favre’s betrayal. Not to mention, the Super Bowl XLV victory basically made everyone forget there was ever a grudge between the two sides. Now, everyone plays down the anger and talks about the last four years as more of a transitional period.
“Even though it’s a shame the way things went down, as time goes by, it’s kind of like a grudge, you just get over it,” Favre told Tirico.
Even Favre is willing to reminisce about his time with the Packers and talk about the talented players the team still has, including Rodgers.
“The Packers have had great success since I left, not surprised by that,” Favre said. “Great group of talented players there led by Aaron, of course. That organization is really apart from the rest, maybe the Yankees I guess, just in tradition and history. I’m so thankful I was part of it.”
Tirico went on to ask Favre if there was a day in the foreseeable future in which he would come back to Lambeau and celebrate his accomplishments with the fans. If he could return to Green Bay and “have his number retired and there’s a big group hug?”
“I know that day, how it will unfold, I have no idea when that will happen,” Favre said. “I don’t think their side is thinking about that. They’re trying to get back to the Super Bowl, and really, I’ve got my plate full. I think that’s good for both sides, not that we don’t need to shake hands and move on. I think in some ways that has happened, but I do see the day, it’s going to happen. When? I have no idea.”
Packers CEO Mark Murphy has already publicly acknowledged that Favre’s No. 4 will be retired once the time is right.
”He deserves that for what he did as a Packer,” Murphy told fans in May of 2011 during the Packers’ annual Tailgate Tour. ”But it’s a very, very meaningful honor and we want to do it at a time when it’s meaningful for both him and the organization.”
Both teams have to be mentally prepared for the honor, but it seems like Favre is getting closer to accepting it. Obviously, enough time needed to pass in order for the wounds to heal.
Clearly, the Packers have no plans on retiring Favre’s jersey this season, but it would be interesting to see the reaction of the fan base if they did. I would have to imagine he would receive a loud standing ovation for everything he did for the organization. The fans would embrace him with open arms and accept him as one of their own once again. However, like Favre pointed out, Green Bay is trying to win another Super Bowl and they have no plans on derailing that.
We may not know the exact date when Favre’s jersey will be retired, but the good news is the former quarterback has finally publicly stated he is all for it whenever that time may be.
Michael is a MLB and NBA Featured Writer for Rant Sports, but covers topics for various teams in baseball, basketball, and football. Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter @MichaelTerrill and on Facebook.
