Favre, Packers Still Have Issues to Address
The Green Bay Packers indicated in a written statement they released Wednesday, after quarterback Brett Favre informed the New York Jets he was retiring, that they still plan to retire Favre's jersey No. 4 at some point.
Favre said during his retirement conference call with reporters Wednesday evening he's not sure when he might be ready to participate in a ceremony by the Packers honoring him.
"I haven't even thought about it," Favre said. "For the teammates that I played with in Green Bay and for the fans, nothing has changed from day one. It's a shame, you know, what has unfolded throughout this whole thing. But I don't know. I don't know. I don't have an answer for that right now. It may be five years. It may be the first game. I have no idea. But honestly, I haven't even thought about it."
Favre and the Packers had a contentious parting last year after Favre announced his retirement in March, then changed his mind and decided he wanted to continue playing. Packers officials said they'd resolved to move on with Aaron Rodgers as their starter at quarterback. They eventually relented, and Coach Mike McCarthy told Favre when Favre reported to training camp in Green Bay last summer that he could compete with Rodgers for the starting job.
But Favre told McCarthy that he couldn't put the months of combativeness with his longtime team behind him. After refusing to accommodate Favre's request to be released, the Packers traded Favre to the Jets.
Most of Favre's ire seemed to be aimed at Packers General Manager Ted Thompson. Favre was asked Wednesday if he might wait until Thompson leaves Green Bay to reestablish a relationship with the Packers.
"I don't know," Favre said. "He had his reasonings. I had my reasonings. Who's to say who's right or who's wrong. He has a plan. I'm not mad at him for that. Other people may be. I don't know. It's a touchy situation. I know that my stay in Green Bay was unbelievable. Unbelievable. And nothing can take that away, not one person. That organization has been outstanding to me throughout my career. It is what it is. It's unfortunate but at some point it'll be dealt with."
Last summer, the Packers offered Favre a lucrative marketing deal to take effect after his retirement as a player. Favre rejected it, but it's possible that the Packers will attempt at some point to restart discussions about such an arrangement.
By
Mark Maske
|
February 12, 2009; 10:43 AM ET
| Category:
Packers
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