Brett's Text Message to ESPN

[HarveyWallbangers]

ESPNews just showed a text message from Brett to ESPN's Ed Werder.

He said he is contemplating taking the offer from the Packers (which ESPN is now reporting could be closer to $25M to match his salary for the next 2 years). He said the solution seems awkward, but sort of went out of his way to give Mark Murphy credit for trying to offer up a solution. He said that his intentions were to play for the Packers, but they said no. He said he told them that then he wants to play for a team in the division "for obvious reasons". He told them that if you don't want me playing for you, then let me play against you.

The message was interesting in that I think it's the first time he's went out of his way to almost praise somebody in the Packers organization, but also basically admitted that he wants to play for the Vikings (or Bears, but it seems likely it's the Vikings) if he can't play in Green Bay.

I think it's apparent that he thought he could come back any time and the team would welcome him with open arms. That didn't happen, and he was upset (which is somewhat understandable, but I still don't know how he couldn't see this happening after he retired, unretired, and retired again). It made him upset enough to want to play for the Vikings so he could stick it to the Packers for not accepting him back.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Here's the message:

"There isn't a perfect solution to this, but [Packers president] Mark Murphy is at least trying," Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder via text message on Thursday night. "We know what they want and where I stand. His solution, although awkward and unsettling for most, may be the best in the end.''

"My intentions have been to play, and with Green Bay," Favre told Werder. "They say no, so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you. That's where I am.''

[BallHawk]

Seems reasonable, but I just can't see it ending this way. Favre takes the offer and sits out the season in Mississippi? I can't see it.

[Gunakor]

Re: Brett's Text Message to ESPN

ESPNews just showed a text message from Brett to ESPN's Ed Werder.

He said he is contemplating taking the offer from the Packers (which ESPN is now reporting could be closer to $25M to match his salary for the next 2 years). He said the solution seems awkward, but sort of went out of his way to give Mark Murphy credit for trying to offer up a solution. He said that his intentions were to play for the Packers, but they said no. He said he told them that then he wants to play for a team in the division "for obvious reasons". He told them that if you don't want me playing for you, then let me play against you.

The message was interesting in that I think it's the first time he's went out of his way to almost praise somebody in the Packers organization, but also basically admitted that he wants to play for the Vikings (or Bears, but it seems likely it's the Vikings) if he can't play in Green Bay.

I think it's apparent that he thought he could come back any time and the team would welcome him with open arms. That didn't happen, and he was upset (which is somewhat understandable, but I still don't know how he couldn't see this happening after he retired, unretired, and retired again). It made him upset enough to want to play for the Vikings so he could stick it to the Packers for not accepting him back.

It's like I thought. It's not just about playing football. It's about proving a point.

Someone's ego is indeed running wild, but it's not Ted Thompson's.

[digitaldean]

The old saying "truth is stranger than fiction" is definitely holding true in this situation.

I thought that he'd flatly turn them down on the merchandising deal.

For all intents and purposes it'd be $20-25 million to put him out to pasture.

It would be an odd end, to say the least, of a HOF career.

[Tarlam!]

For Favre to save face in this scenario, he'd need to donate his earnings to charity.

I also believe a few apologies from Favre's camp are in order, but it's still pretty damned hot in Hell.

[pacfan]

I think Chris Mortensen is pissed he was scooped by Ed Werder

[bobblehead]

was it bretsky that said if they thought he would take this offer they don't know the first thing about brett favre??

Well, it seems they aren't the only one who doesn't know him...

[Gunakor]

was it bretsky that said if they thought he would take this offer they don't know the first thing about brett favre??

Well, it seems they aren't the only one who doesn't know him...

Bretsky probably thought it in the wrong context. If this were just a simple bribe, proposed in late July in response to the media circus, there's no way in hell Favre takes it. If this is a way of allowing him to be a Packer for life, presented to him after his retirement in March as is now being reported, that's a different story altogether. Now it doesn't sound like a bribe, rather a reward. Especially since Murphy said the offer is still on the table even if Favre plays for another team. I could see Favre accepting that one.

[boiga]

Weirdness.... The espn blog is directly contradicting the JSO analysis.

JSO is saying that this is a 2 million dollar a year deal for 10 years that Favre can accept whether he retires or not.

This is what ESPN is saying:

The Vikings won't get that chance, however, if Favre accepts an offer from the Packers to serve in a marketing role for the organization. According to ESPN's Wendi Nix, he would receive $12 million in 2008 and $13 million in 2009 under the agreement, which would prevent him from seeking future reinstatement to the NFL.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/...Minnesota.html


So ESPN is still calling this a bribe to keep brett retired, JSO says the deal was thought up BEFORE Brett ever retired.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778769

The ESPN people are hacks, so I definitely would trust JSO's "NFL source who wanted the Packers' side to be explained" more... but wow. Someone is going to have to write a lengthy retraction tomorrow.

[vince]

Here's the message:

"There isn't a perfect solution to this, but [Packers president] Mark Murphy is at least trying," Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder via text message on Thursday night. "We know what they want and where I stand. His solution, although awkward and unsettling for most, may be the best in the end.''

"My intentions have been to play, and with Green Bay," Favre told Werder. "They say no, so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you. That's where I am.''

I sure hope this is the beginning of the end. While the events throughout the offseason demonstrate that this simplistic portrayal does not give the whole picture, it's a way for Brett to save face and for the team to finally get past this.

This does not explain all of Brett's misdirection plays with the team prior to June 20... Why were there multiple accounts of Bus Cook inquiring throughout the league for interest in Favre in early April? April Fool's joke?

And if Brett JUST wanted to get revenge over TT for not allowing him back to the Pack in late June, then he should have opted to play for the Bucs. He would play against the team this year and quite possibly in the playoffs... Oh yeah, it's too hot in Tampa...

[Kiwon]

Re: Brett's Text Message to ESPN

ESPNews just showed a text message from Brett to ESPN's Ed Werder.

He said he is contemplating taking the offer from the Packers (which ESPN is now reporting could be closer to $25M to match his salary for the next 2 years). He said the solution seems awkward, but sort of went out of his way to give Mark Murphy credit for trying to offer up a solution. He said that his intentions were to play for the Packers, but they said no. He said he told them that then he wants to play for a team in the division "for obvious reasons". He told them that if you don't want me playing for you, then let me play against you.

The message was interesting in that I think it's the first time he's went out of his way to almost praise somebody in the Packers organization, but also basically admitted that he wants to play for the Vikings (or Bears, but it seems likely it's the Vikings) if he can't play in Green Bay.

I think it's apparent that he thought he could come back any time and the team would welcome him with open arms. That didn't happen, and he was upset (which is somewhat understandable, but I still don't know how he couldn't see this happening after he retired, unretired, and retired again). It made him upset enough to want to play for the Vikings so he could stick it to the Packers for not accepting him back.

It's like I thought. It's not just about playing football. It's about proving a point.

Someone's ego is indeed running wild, but it's not Ted Thompson's.

I have not been ODing on the Farve saga but I must say that it is a shock to have him acknowledge that if he can't start for the Packers that he wants to stick it to the Packers by playing within the division.

After a HOF career and the talk of team, team, team, is Brett's ego really bigger than $25 million to just do what he said he was thinking of doing for several years - just fade away?

I didn't buy Farve's biography a few years ago and I'm glad. The revised edition is going to have a few extra chapters in it about what I'm guessing is a form of male menopause. His recent bizarre behavior is so contradictory to the image that he chiseled for himself for 17 years.

I never would have imagined that his career would have taken the turn it has. I hate to say it but the shine of being "the most respected player in football" is really coming off fast, IMHO.

[Zool]

This is either inaccurate, a longer than 1 txt conversation or they have a very different phone service than I do. I cant get nearly that many characters into a single txt.

[sheepshead]

By the way, who else thinks Brittney sent it under dads direction?

[LL2]

At least the money deal keeps Favre a Packer for life. Favre has to admit and be realistic that some of his demands are not realistic business moves by the Packers. I think the $20 million is more of an extremely nice gesture by the Packers than a bribe.