By
Oscar Romero
Published: January 31, 2010
Categorized in | Opinion
Once again, Brett Favre was at the cusp of reaching football's ultimate game but was overcome by his gun slinging mentality. The same attitude that got him there ended up being his downfall.
As the final seconds winded down, the Minnesota Vikings were in field goal range when Favre's 19 years of experience failed to show. No. four tried to be valiant, but instead looked like a rookie as he flung the ball across his body and into the hands of New Orleans' Terry Porter.
"You have courage, you have brilliance, and you have catastrophe," said former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, in a radio interview last Monday, referring to the Vikings final drive in regulation.
"That is Brett Favre's career in a microcosm," said Dilfer.
Favre made numerous throws in the final drive that were unparalleled in the game. He displayed his demeanor to win and the skill set that has made him a living legend. The Vikings seemed destined to win, but sadly Favre's trust in his arm got the best of him.
The problem was that Favre could have done one of two things in his situation: he could have tucked in the ball and run for a few yards, or simply thrown it away.
Favre should have taken a conservative approach and placed some faith in his kicker rather than his own ability.
Brett Favre often flirted with disaster, but with his athletic ability, managed to make dangerous situations into moments of brilliance. That style of play can only take you so far, as last Sunday proved.
According to Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd, Favre is the proprietor of the blame because of his direct influence on the offense.
What happened Jan. 24, 2010, was not the first time in his career. In fact, Favre fell victim to his selfish tendencies in the NFC championship game of 2007, where he also threw the ball into the opposing hands of the New York Giant's Cory Webster.
"Each time, his team seemed poised to win at the end; each time, Favre’s final play was a disastrous interception," said Greg Easterbrook in an article for ESPN.
Favre refused to end his career with the bad taste of an interception and returned for another year.
He returned with the New York Jets to what ended up being a dismal season where they failed to make the playoffs. This led to another world of speculation on whether Favre would come back. Then two weeks after the Viking's training camp, he decided to join them in an effort to win the Super Bowl.
We all know that Favre has broken numerous records throughout his illustrious career. He currently holds the record for most attempted passes at 9,811, completions with 6,083 and 497 touchdowns. And who can forget about his impeccable 255 consecutive starts, the most of any quarterback in NFL history and second among all players.
But despite all the accolades, Favre unfortunately also owns the record of throwing an unprecedented 317 interceptions, a feat that will be synonymous with his career.
Favre reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1997 by winning Super Bowl XXXI. Favre lost the subsequent Super Bowl, and two NFC championships.
Now the question looms over the football world: will Favre return one more time? The return of the 40-year-old is highly unlikely. The game last Sunday left him with more than a bruised ego. Favre took a pounding, and at many times had to dig deep to muster up the strength to get up. Age is beginning to make a presence in the veteran quarterback. Forty-one is no picnic, especially for an NFL player.
Favre's chances of winning a Super Bowl have been decimated. The NFL is giving way to a new generation quarterbacks.
His career is undoubtedly of Hall of Fame caliber. Unfortunately, his career is going to be overshadowed by his demise.
34 Responses to “Brett Favre’s career: courage, brilliance and catastrophe”
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The Vikings could have vied for a trade for Favre when he was released by Green Bay. Did they???? Also Sonny, how do you know what took place during the meetings between Favre and Thomopson/McCarthy? Were you there? Oh, that’s right, Favre is going to write the “tell all” book soon … so he can overcome all the lies he’s been bs’ing the public with since? I wouldn’t believe the guy if he told me what he had for lunch! Also, BEFORE the news hit on Aug. 17th about Favre coming to MN, my friend sells cars to the Vikings players. Longwell told him BEFORE the media blitz that Favre was coming “on Tuesday”. Well, wa-la, there he was being followed by a flippin’ helicopter down 494 “on Tuesday”, yet he comes out with this “story” (because he’s all about fiction and the drama) about how Chilly called him on Monday, blah blah blah. Blowing three NFC Championship games just shows that old habits die hard. We found out his true colors when he didn’t get his way in Green Bay – he was NEVER okay with Green Bay moving on. Answer me this … why did he REFUSE to mentor Aaron Rodgers back in ’06??? Arrogancy is the only answer I can come up with! Thank God he never mentored Aaron, as he’s earned his respect all his own and has handled the drama that Brett has created beautifully. Thank God for normality back in the QB position and GB has as bright future ahead with him!
You do not know what you are talking about Lauren.
Aaron Rodgers wanted nothing to do with Brett, so if I was you I would get my facts straigtht.
Tell Colleen to behave herself and to understand what true Packer fans are!!! The TEAM comes ahead of one player no matter how great he is or has been for the Packers. I’m sure 99% of Packer fans want Brett to do well, just not with the Minnesota Viqueens.Oh I guess I meant Vikings. No it’s still Viqueens!!!!!!!
Aaron Rodgers wanted nothing to do with Brett, so if I was you I would get my facts straigtht.
Really Colleen? You know this because….. lets see you were either A. on the Packers coaching staff, B. A fly on the wall C. A close personal freind of Aaron Roders and he told you this “fact” or d. Bug squat on the bench between Aaron and Brett. FYI, dom’t tell someone to come up with “facts” when you can’t come up with the “facts” yousrself.
Colleen,
Yes, do tell how you know Aaron wanted nothing to do with Favre. It was quoted that Favre didn’t want to mentor Rodgers … and also, Rodgers reached out to Favre during the summer of ’08 … but Favre was too above himself to even return his calls. What a coward, #4!
Nice post KJO … I especially like “d”.
Lauren and KJO you guys are really PATHETIC! How do you know all your facts so much? Are you a special friend of the packers coach or Aaron Rodger or a fly on the wall or just two people that think you know everything and don’t know much.
If we were both honest it was a two way street, neither one wanted anything to do with the other. But what I do know Brett never went around and wined like Aaron Rodgers did.
It really doesn’t matter what you think you know anyway, I can tell you are really two people that loved Brett when he was doing amazing for the packers and turned on him when he made a couple of decision that you didnt care for. To me that tell me what kind of people you are!!!
Colleen, obviously you don’t follow sports too closely. When has Rodgers whined? That’s hilarious! He’s went through more crap with all the Favre drama and handled it beautifully. Ever watch a channel like ESPN???? Sheesh, it’s all over what a class act he is and how wonderfully he handled all the drama … gosh, I don’t hear ALL accolades about Brett Favre. Read any of the stuff Fran Tarkington has said recently about Favre … look it up, it’s not pretty! You must be a MN fan that is SO desparate to get him back that you’re afraid to utter an ill word about the interception king! Just keeping it real here and telling it how it is!
Lauren, you really crack me up, if anything else I get a good laugh from you? Yes I have heard what Fran Tarkington has said and he sounds like a man who is just very jealous of Brett!
As far as a viking fan, I wasn’t before this year because I was a packer fan. Which obviously I am so glad that I am not any longer if all packer fans are like you!!!!
Yes, I have heard of ESPN my boyfriend watches all the time and you hear all different things, depends on who is talking.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers did whine about Brett, saying he would not go out and party and he won’t do this and that!!! So, there is your class act, there was a reason why Brett did not go partying, his family meant more!!
As far as the interception he threw at least he threw the ball and did not stand there and let the other team take it from him!!!!
Colleen,
You’re a great bandwagon jumper … you’ll fit right in on the Vikes’ bandwagon. Packers don’t want ya back! “True” fans don’t “jump ship” (pun intended) on their team. Sheesh! Your facts are pretty skewed … but go ahead, be a “player” fan and not a “team” fan … good luck keeping up … what happens when beloved #4 retires???
So “allowing others to take the ball from them” is not okay, but throwing a ball into the middle of the field (across your body – totally fundamentally wrong) into THREE Saints defenders with :19 to go to make it to the Super Bowl is okay??? Bahahahahahaha!!!!! How did that work out for him??????????????
If Favre had just played better in December, that game would have been at the Metrodome! But remember, Favre breaks down in December … and the blueprint on how to beat him in out, thanks to Julius Peppers and the Saints defense. But Vikes fans are SO DESPERATE to get him back (the begging, billboards and pleas are just pathetic!) that they’re afraid to be critical of him. So sad.
P.S. Yah, don’t let others get the ball … make it easy and just throw him to him … Favre had two INTs and a fumble … five turnover, three on him … you do the math!
Sorry, my two replies above were sent out in a hurry … a few typos as well. But I just went back RE-read what you wrote, Colleen, and cannot believe I’m reading that Rodgers was “whining” about Favre not partying with them. HUH???????????? If it’s true, I’d sure like to see where you got this information. First off, no, Favre doesn’t party anymore because it nearly cost him his family (i.e. interview between Brett/Deanna with Terry Brandshaw). I highly doubt that Rodgers has been touted as “whining” because Favre wouldn’t “party”. Oh my gosh, this is about football, not what a 26-yr old single guy does on his “off” time as compared to a 40-yr old married, family man who is a recovered addict. I will just end this and say to go back and read the article above … Favre is brilliant, yes, at times … but not always smart when it counts … thus the end result … castastrophe.
Lauren, there are alot of packer players that I think are awesome and I hope they do well. What people forget is Brett Favre did so much for the packers, and he decided to retire, but it is his life and he just loves to play so he decided to play and other players have done that also. The packers did not want him, so my question is why does it matter to the packer fans who he plays for? The packers did not want him and he moved on! If he keeps retiring and coming back every year until he is 50, what concern is it of yours? It is his life and he should be able to do what is good for him and his family!
All packer fans loved him then turned on him and I think that is pathetic!! Football is about entertainment and people like yourself turn it in to hate!!!!
So, don’t worry i will not be a packer fan because of people like you
Sonny Crockett
your right, I don’t get it, how people can worship somebody who has now held back three teams in his silly career. yes, holds all the records threw the ball more than anyone, stayed round longer than anyone because most know you shouldn’t, threw the ball to the wrong team more than anyone and oh yeah, threw the ball to the wrong team in the playoffs more than anyone. choke your right I’ll look into tennis try to find someone that snuck into a championship 16 years ago that I can turn into a false idol. a pro player making ten million for half a year that gives alittle to charity. holy cow saint brett. gotta go slink now….the way he should have ten years ago… but there was still many picks to throw…..
lauren, You got me I dont know a lot about football, i just go by the people I like and I think Brett is awesome as a person as well as a football player!
You seem like a lot of fun and you know your sports!!