Flash forward to today, and Favre has somehow turned himself into one of the game’s all-time infamous pariahs.
He could have retired following the 2007 season, the last of his 16 straight years with the Green Bay Packers. He wasn’t just beloved in the state of Wisconsin; he was the face of an entire sport. He was, unquestionably, the NFL’s version of Michael Jordan.
But after three consecutive offseasons of indecision — in which the entire sports world watched at first with loyal interest, then eventually out of sheer absurdity — Favre’s legacy has been tarnished to the point of no return for many fans.
And as if that weren’t bad enough, the latest rumors involving Favre and former New York Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger have made it virtually impossible to regard the legendary quarterback as a football hero.
Favre, who has been married to his wife Deanna for 14 years, has been accused of allegedly sending naked photos and leaving inappropriate voicemail messages on Sterger’s phone when he played for the Jets during the 2008 season.
Deadspin.com reportedly paid a source a large sum for these materials, which have turned the scandal into the biggest story in the NFL since, ironically enough, Favre’s latest “should I retire or not” saga this past summer.
At this point, Favre is no longer regarded in the public eye as a Hall of Fame quarterback. Rather, he’s become a dramatic character setup for national amusement and paparazzi voyeur.
Think about it — Favre is on the field, playing in a live game that has tangible meaning for three hours a week, sixteen (or maybe a few more) weeks out of the year. And he’s not even playing well in 2010 — his 60.4 QB rating through Week 4 with the Vikings is the worst of his NFL career.
But for the rest of the week, all anyone talks about is Favre — and hardly any of it relates to his on-field play anymore.
Even his fellow former athletes, albeit current members of the media, get in on the fray. Former NBA star Jalen Rose and NFL lineman Warren Sapp tweeted on the Favre-Sterger scandal on Tuesday.
Favre will still be remembered, at least in the record books, as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.
But his legacy as a player is almost irrelevant at this point. When fans think of Brett Favre, at least for a while longer, only scandals and immaturity will come to mind.
Do you think Brett Favre has any chance of ever fixing his legacy? Share your comments below.
