I love Brett Favre. I have a deep appreciation for his tougness and moxie as a quarterback and as a person. His consecutive starts steak is astounding. He has been a Super Bowl champion and a Most Valuable Player in the NFL. Even as an Oakland Raiders fan I had to root for Favre when the Packers played the Raiders the day after Farve's father passed away in 2003, having lost my own father. He is a god in Green Bay, where football is king. He is an unparalelled athlete in the pantheon of pro sports. He is also an unbelievable hypocrite. Last season, Favre publically called out wide receiver Javon Walker for holding out and essentially holding up the Packers preseason. He implicitly called Walker selfish and explicitly told Walker to get to camp. This offseason Farve has literally held the Green Bay organization hostage by continually postponing his announcement as to whether he will retire or not. Just last week the announcement (and related roster bonus due Farve) was pushed back for the third time, this time being pushed back until July. The Packers have been completely accomodating, as they should be to a player of Brett Farve's stature (albeit one with greatly reduced physical abilities and production.) I certainly think that for all he's done for the organization and the city of Green Bay Farve deserves (to use the much overplayed idiom) "to go out on his own terms." But at what cost? The team can't fully pursue off season plans and needs, particularly with the financial issues germane to Farve's playing status and contract, to say nothing of the distraction the situation is imposing. The Green Bay Packers are a proud franchise, with a rich tradition of Hall of Fame players and championship teams, as well as perhaps the most famous coach in sports, Vince Lombardi. Brett Farve did not put the Packers on the map. The Packers put Brett Farve on the map. At what point did the tail begin to wag the dog? Make a decision already, Brett. The whole world waits in rapt anticipation. Our lives simply cannot advance without our knowing your future plans. Personally I think the Packers would be better off without him, unless 25-30 interceptions next year is worth the aggravation.
I have a few thoughts on two fashion-related items from the world of sports. Am I the only one who wants to drink drano when I see NBA players wearing leotards? From Lebron James and Dwyane Wade to Andrew Bogut and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, NBA players (and men, by the way) are wearing tights. I do not care what medical benefits said tights have (improved circulation, etc.) Men should under no circumstance, ever, for any reason whatsoever, EVER wear pantyhose. Am I watching Kobe Bryant play basketball or Errol Flynn play Robin Hood? The next issue I have is in baseball. This one has been going on for a few years now. The Figure Skater Pants. This travesty occurs when a player (again, a male) has his pants tightly attached to the back of his spikes, a la Johnny Weir or Scott Hamilton. Gary Sheffield, for example, is a charter member of this very masculine trend. Only slightly less awful is what I call the Pajama look. This is when a player wears pants that are too big and takes the elastic out of the bottoms. Eric Gagne is an offender here. Baseball pants should be worn in one of two ways, and two ways only. Regular (John Smotlz, Greg Maddux) or High (Mark Prior, Todd Helton, as well as Manny Ramirez at times, when not wearing the aforementioned pajama pants and acting stupid regardless of clothing.) As ugly as the ominous issue of steroids is in Major League Baseball, the ridiculous apparel choices are no less offensive.
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