Everyone and their brother now has the
report of Brett Favre's trade to the New York Jets. Since my move to Madison, Wis., in June, it has been "Favre Mode" in the newsroom at
NBC 15. For example, when one of my fellow producers, Wani, answered the phone on Tuesday, she put the person on hold for Sam (noted below) to take the call. When he asked who it was, Wani said, "Brett Fa..." before realizing that it was, in fact, not Brett Favre on the phone, but
Jason Rice, one of our photojournalists. Basically, I've gotten to know this situation pretty well.
Now it's time to unwind this ball of trade yarn a little bit. Almost everyone in the sports world has an opinion on this. It was leading newscasts in Wisconsin -- and even SportsCenter -- nearly every night. That happened on days when the newest information was something to the effect of, "Talks still going on in the Brett Favre saga."
So now, who wins?? Opinions and comments welcome...
Winners:
+Brett Favre -- getting out of a bad situation and having the opportunity to get back on the field. Still no word on whether Favre will actually report, but if ANYTHING he has said holds weight, expect to see #4 in his new shade of green (though 99.9% impossible before Thursday's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns).
+
Green Bay Packers -- Ted Thompson gets his wish with Brett Favre out of his life, Aaron Rodgers in it and some kind of draft pick added to the mix.
+The University of California -- the Golden Bears have waited for their man, Rodgers, to get his chance on the field. But when Rodgers got drafted by the Pack in 2005, fans knew it wasn't likely that he would play until Favre 1) called it quits or 2) was injured badly enough that a back-up was needed on more than a mop-up duty basis.
+Sam Sorenson -- he's NBC 15's assistant news director and the biggest Favre fan I've ever known. His cubicle is right beside mine at work and recently we've all been a little worried that he wasn't going to make it to see the end of this drama. Hopefully he can make it to work on Thursday. If he doesn't have a Favre Jets jersey by the time of the office Christmas party, I think a little pass-the-hat is in order to get him one.
Losers:
+The AFC East -- all those in favor of playing a Brett Favre-led team twice this year raise your hands... OK, just checking. As a Cleveland Browns fan, I'm thankful there isn't a matchup this season. Last season, a Jets team with Favre as QB in the final minutes almost undoubtedly beats Cleveland in their tight game.
+The University of Oregon -- the waiting game for Kellen Clemens to grab ahold of the reigns continues in New York. He's going to be one of the best damn clipboard holders in the league, right behind Matt Cassel in New England and Wisconsin's own Jim Sorgi in Indianapolis.
+The state of Wisconsin & general Packers fans -- Brett Favre made the franchise a contender every year. Green Bay is the winningest team since Favre joined the team in a trade from Atlanta back in February of 1992. Just being in and around the Packers in this state so far, I've learned how crazy it is. But something tells me the team popularity will live on... like my conversation with one of our interns, Madeline, the other day...
Her: So are you a Packers fan??
Me: No, I'm a Cleveland Browns fan.
Her: Oh. Well, you'll be a Packers fan soon.
If I didn't switch to a new team anytime in the last eight years (wait, this is Cleveland's ninth year after getting a team back in the league?! Goodness gracious -- I mean, I remember the OLD Browns...), it's probably not going to happen just because I live here.
But even when I get to the sports bar on Sunday's to watch my beloved Orange and Brown, I'll have another eye on the Green and Gold of the Packers.
As for Favre, I'll be taking some time off, but will highly enjoy watching him back on the field. I mean, technically, he hasn't missed a game in forever (275 straight including playoffs). And it feels like he never left.
