Watch here on ESPN (that is, if you can get past the horrible zoom-in, zoom-out nature of the video). Anyway, more odd stuff. Now Favre is apparently considering accepting the bribe. (I’m still calling it a bribe until more info leads me to think otherwise. Here’s a definition of bribe: something, such as money or a favor, offered or given to a person in a position of trust to influence that person’s views or conduct – that’s exactly what this offer is about). As if Favre strongly considering taking the bribe isn’t strange enough, Favre then goes on to say that if the Packers won’t let him play for the Packers, then they should at least let him play in the division against them. What? Why would he say this right after indicating he may accept the bribe? Because he worked something out in March with the Vikings?
What a really really odd situation this is. Despite our insistence that this is a bribe (again, because with the info we have in front of us presently, it is a bribe), I still want to give a bit of latitude to the Packers front office for now because I do wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes. One worry I have is if the Packers have known of Favre’s plan to try to play for the Vikings all along and they are trying their best to keep a lid on it to preserve Favre’s legacy – to essentially save him from himself. Perhaps they know how damaging Favre-to-the-Vikings would be for his legacy so they’re trying to prevent it (and of course, they don’t want to face him in the division). But for whatever reason, Favre seems to be oblivious to this.
Umm, and what happened to the Jets trade rumors that had heated up last night?
packergeeks 
August 1, 2008 at 9:46 am |
I understand that it appears like a bribe but I believe that the Favre camp has painted it like that. It is not uncommon for a personal services type of contract to be offered to guys with such a history with a team (Marino/Dolphins, Kelly/Bills, Elway/Broncos to name a few). This discussion started in March after he retired (the first time) so I don’t think it came out of nowhere. It looks dirty now but if all of this “itch” stuff hadn’t happened and Brett just stayed in Mississippi and the Pack announced that they were gonna pay Favre to be a Packers ambassador for the next 10 years to the tune of $20 million would that still be a bribe?
August 1, 2008 at 10:05 am |
Good point verno329 – I know others have jumped into roles like this in the past. However, your “if all of this itch hadn’t happened” scenario is not just a little hypothetical. It’s in fact a key part of why this ought to presently be considered a bribe. Even if this idea was floated in March, too much has happened since that time, too much has been said by both sides, for it to not be a clear effort by the Packers to influence Favre to stay retired by offering money.
August 1, 2008 at 10:16 am |
But what is lacking is the quid pro quo. Favre ***doesn’t have to retire this season to get the money***.
Murphy was telling Favre: “You’re our guy. You are a Packer. No matter what happens we want you to be the face of the Green Bay Packers. Now, let’s try to work together.”
Moreover, the Packers made the offer in March. How do we know what was said? Would it have been a bribe if Murphy mentioned, “Hey Brett, remember that offer we made you in March…we just want you to know that no matter what happens, that offer is still good. You are always welcome to come back and be the face of the Packers.”
Would that statement be a “bribe”?
At the end of the day: practically every single word that has come out of Camp Favre has been a lie or distortion of the truth. Why would this be any different?
August 1, 2008 at 12:50 pm |
I see where you are coming from awhayes. You’re right, the actions of the past month and a half can’t be ignored but if it is as Donald’s Designated Driver (which is a GREAT screen name, btw) lays it out that would change things too. If they were to say “This offer disappears if you play with another team” THAT would certainly be a bribe. But as Brett has painted it now, if he takes it and decides to stay retired then he will look like someone who isn’t playing simply for the love of the game.