Nothing with Brett Favre falls into a grey area. Either everything he does fires you up or else ticks you off. Few people hear news of No. 4 and say, "Eh, no big deal." Most everyone is passionate about Favre, whether it is love or hate. If you want proof, check out the ratings for his Vikings-Packers game this season or other high profile Minnesota Vikings games on Monday Night and in the playoffs. His presence on the Vikings team set ratings records all season, and it is a safe bet that those people weren't all tuning in to cheer on the Silver Fox.
Take for instance the latest incident to redline the Favre-meter: the release of some photos online that are reportedly Favre's bruised and battered ankle and thigh post-NFC Championship. The story goes that Favre's agent, Bus Cook, emailed photos of Favre's right hamstring injury and left ankle to Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger, who posted them online. The photos, which are not the most pleasant thing to look at, are perfect fodder for internet debate as they show nothing that would either authenticate them nor debunk them as the real thing. A purple thigh and a foot that looks as though it has been inflated by a basketball pump are claimed to be the appendages of Favre on the day after the game, and so far there is no official denial or confirmation from Favre, Cook, the Vikings or anyone else who might have seen Favre at the time.
So, reports from the Star Tribune to ESPN are going with the fact that the photos are legit. So, for argument's sake, let's do the same. And if that is the case, the first reaction here is that had the Vikings won the NFC Championship, Tarvaris Jackson would be starting his first Super Bowl on Sunday. Granted a lot can happen in training rooms in two weeks, but the injuries (which we have heard nothing about since the Vikings are through playing) look significant enough to keep a rookie with the recuperative powers of the T-1000 in "Terminator 2-Judgement Day" down, much less a 40-year-old vet.
The second thought is how did Favre ever get back on the field with that ankle and be able to move like he did through the second half of the game--particularly late in the fourth quarter when he rolled right for his regrettable interception? (Looking at the photos, one can now understand his natural reaction to use his arm rather than his legs to make up yardage on that final, fateful offensive play of the season.) The word warrior comes to mind, and we have already discussed that here, but these photos appear to add verifiable evidence to that claim. The dude is simply tough as nails.
The third thought, for those like myself who come down on the side of being amazed by the ironman this season and especially in this game, is that try as they might, the New Orleans Saints didn't knock Favre out of the game. And they did try. As the game unfolded, it became clear that their mission was to cut off the head of the mighty Minnesota monster by taking Favre out of the game (check out the comments by Saints coaches and players at 3:25 and 5:35, respectively). When overtime came and fate finally conspired against the Vikings, did the Saints finally arise victorious.
None of the above sentiments can be found coming from those who side with the "Favre is annoying" crowd, however. What you will hear from them arethings such as "Favre is a diva and an attention whore," despite the serious nature of these injuries. You can find plenty of that kind of talk here. While I believe that the media and an insatiable public is more guilty of making much of Favre than Favre is, they do have a good point. It is pretty standard knowledge that professional football players get pretty beat up every Sunday (especially during a conference title game), and when has any other player taken photos of his injuries and handed them over to the media? Granted it was Favre's agent, but agents don't do too much without the knowledge or consent of the clients they represent, nor do they interact often with the media without knowing full well what the ramification might be.
Which begs the question: why release these photos? People knew Favre got beat up in the game, and he probably wasn't the only one. If there needs to be verification that the Saints' defensive game plan centers around head hunting old quarterbacks, just ask the now retired Kurt Warner, who took quite a beating in the divisional playoff game against New Orleans. Heck, New Orleans defensive coordinator has said as much, including that his game plan for getting to quarterbacks will continue with Peyton Manning this week in the Super Bowl. Last we checked, that is part of the game, it's just the job of offensive linemen to protect their quarterbacks, and it is the job of NFL officials to call penalties when those hits on the quarterback are illegal. It is safe to say that neither of those two groups did a bang up job in the Vikings-Saints game.
Regardless of how you feel about Favre and his motives for releasing the photos, it is hard to ignore what is in them. If Favre felt he was taking too much heat for milking his injury during the game so as to add to his ironman legend, and released the photos to squelch that talk, these photos (if legit) certainly back him up. Manipulative and self-serving? Sure, a little bit--but who would want to go through what he did and then be called a faker when they wake up every day seeing and feeling evidence to the contrary?
Says here that the guy has guts, and our only hope is that such a beating doesn't drive him away from the game. He is clearly old school in his approach to football, and even if you don't like his methods for letting you know that, if you look past it, the fact that he plays the game for keeps still remains, and is worthy of your respect. There should be no grey area in that.
Comments
Good piece, Brett is a True Warrior and his toughness can never be challenged. It is pieces like yours that (may) change some arm chair quarter - backs minds out there about how he should have just easily run the ball after being beating all to heck the way he was.
It is amazing in itself that Brett was able to stay in the game after taking those illegal and legal hits all game. God Bless You Brett Favre !!!
It's frustrating that everyone questions everything about Brett Favre. He stated in a post game interview that he knew if he didn't get up and use the ankle immediately that he wouldn't be able too. That was immediately following the game. He has played for 19 years, he knows what the injuries and results are like. He also knew that TJ could not finish up.
It's incredible that he was able to get up and finish off the game. It makes perfect sense why he didn't run. I think the bigger issue is why the NFL and officials think its okay that Brett be subjected to the hits he was and nothing was done during the game. The Saints played dirty and won the game. Lowering yourself the lowly class the Saints did is not becoming of a professional football team.
Brett brought magic to the game for Vikings fans. I for one pray that he returns next year.
If you read the explanation by the writer who posted the photos you'll see why the photos were emailed to him. the writer has a relationship with cook. he asked about Favre's health. I can almost hear the conversation.
"How's brett feeling?
" you won't believe how beat up he is. I saw the photos and I dont' believe it" " really can I see?"
There is a reason why he is called the Iron Man. Unless Brett can't stand or throw he is going to try to be on that field to help his team win. He is the true spirit of the game and should not be blamed for anything other then trying to win the game for his team. Let hope he heals and still wants to play another seasons of football.
That leg does not look like that of a 6' 5" athlete. Sorry.
Dave Man...really? All season long, I thought of how every Viking is just "lovin' this guy" - especially the receivers. I am sure the players like T-Jack, and could probably have learned to like "the other guy" too, but when you see this gunslinger make near "nobody receivers" last year look All Pro this year, and running down the field after TDs high fivin' and jump-bumpin' with everybody - man, what's not to love. He loves the game, and repeatedly said how this season was perhaps the most fun of his career. That's all enough to make him come back for one more - as well as to say, hey, that was a fun finish, and call it "enough." Once you get over the bruise and the sprain of the loss, as a fan, you have to admit, "man, that was fun!" Maybe Tiger's wife dropped by to say, "Hey Brett, it could be a lot worse!" : )
Finally - hey - nice to see some ladies weighing in!
Good piece thanks Brett hope your here next year GOOOOOOO COLTS.
Great article. One reason to publish the photes may be that Fans have been asking over and over "How is Brett." If you look on his website that is a repeated question--just asking for more information.
Another valid reason is that lo hit was NOT called as a Penalty and the Saints (if they grow a conscience) and Roger Goodall need to SEE what damage it caused. Amazingly, Goodall has not publicly chastized the Saints for their openly dirty play and thopenly celebrating on the sidelines, both when Kurt went down and when Brett went down. Could Anything be more unsportsmanlike? Yet Goodall, who claims before Congree they are doing everything they can to make the game safer, fines the guy $5,000 who did this?????
If Goodall never speaks up about the attitude of the McCray and others, annd if the Saints pull the same BS on Manning (which they have PUBLICLY announced thier intent,he's BS'ing us about safety.
#4 is the toughest ever-shockingly his career may be ended by an dirty hit.
Nice movie reference to T-2 Joseph, How could you not follow thru with another reference from the Terminator genre? Begging the question, will Favre be saying in Arnold speak "I'll be back"
Hey, Joseph, why do fans refer to Favre by his first name when one can assume they have never met him personally, a slight social license being taken I really must say.
Nice to hear from your female following, I knew they were out there.
to A. Roberts, its the same reason that fans always say "we are going to the superbowl" or "my Vikings" as if they have a percentage stake in the ownership of the team rather than geographic vicinity to them.
and when did this become a commishner needs to step in and berate a player of a violent contact sport for doing his job. if you ask me there needs to be more QB's like favre that can take a hit and not like tom brady that whine and point fingers like a kindergartener if someone is within five feet of his precious knee.
God bless him? The way you people go on about him, he IS god. There is no professional athlete that plays the media like Favre. Run a check on Favre's history of leaking both true and false information through Cook.
Farve's message this time? I'm not a forty year old quarterback making rookie mistakes, I was injured. He was also injured last year when literally threw the Jets season away. He didn't ask to get pulled from the game but you don't question his judgement? If anything the photos prove Jackson should have been in the game. Is this not obvious?
How great is Favre? Run his playoff stats againt those of Warner (who won't go to the hall of fame). In fact run them against any average quarterback that made the playoffs.
-6 interceptions against St. Louis
-2 turnovers against Atlanta
-Threw title game against Giants away
-3 turnovers against New Orleans
No question he has a passion for the game. No question he's tough. Bottom line, can he win a title? I don't think so.
I have reposted the photos here: margaretflanigan.com/02/03/brett-favre-injury-photos/
I am seriously considering boycotting the NFL from this point on. I have never seen a worse game in my entire life.
Hey Rich,
Have you watched T-Jack play? And oh by the way, the botched hand-off to Peterson was all Peterson. The man threw 7 int's all season. We had like six fumbles that game. Why not abandon the run? Peterson obviously was either paid off or being selfish the way he was securing the football. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!!
Thanks, Margaret.
Nice photos.
Why no face? Why not show Favre's unusually long toes which are famous and easily indentifiable?
Why is nothing in those photos identifiable except that it's a white man?
I ain't sayin, I'm just sayin.
When will MeeMaw announce he's not coming back? When will Scott announce that Brett hasn't made up his mind and that's just MEEMaw blowing off gas?
What will Deanna tell him to do and then leak? When will brett announce his retirement and then change his mind? We know it's ALL coming, we just don't know the dates.
Saints for sure play nasty to him. It was obvious that they wanted brett to get hurt. Sure football is rough, but doin that all day long? and think the whole team won...it's absolute rubbish!
I hope he never walks again.
Brett Favre is a great QB, no matter what the outcome of the game. It just wasn't meant to be...
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