Brett Favre Thinks the Media is His Bitch
The Brett Favre (un)retirement saga is turning into one of the most intriguing PR battles of all time. The fact is, there’s not a lot Favre can do to regain the Packers starting quarterback job. The team is in control. They hold almost all the cards.
The one card Favre does hold is the media. Over the last week Favre and his agent have launched an all out campaign of media manipulation, the ultimate goal being a media inspired fan mutiny that forces the Packers to install Favre at quarterback.
Look at all the unsolicited, carefully worded phrases Favre and his agent have put out. First Favre said he’s going to “call the team’s bluff” and show up to training camp—the implication of the word “bluff” being that the team is somehow being dishonest.
A few days later Favre changed his tune and announced he won’t apply for reinstatement because he doesn’t want to be in a position where he can be fined for not showing up. Again, the implication is the Packers will engage in the villainous behavior of fining their legendary quarterback as he contemplates whether or not to restore the team to glory.
Most recently, Favre’s agent reiterated that Favre wants to be the starter and that the Packers must make a decision. “It’s their move,” he said. There’s only one problem. It’s not their move. The Packers already made a decision. They don’t want him back. That’s it. Nothing else needs to be done.
Of course Favre doesn’t want people to see it that way. The longer this thing drags out the better it is for him. That’s why every time the story starts to fade away Favre and his agent begin pumping newspapers full of empty, meaningless quotes.
Surprisingly, the media has resisted, dealing with the issue in a refreshingly even handed manner. Favre undoubtedly hoped that after being used by the media for 16 years (for articles, interview, cop-out sportsman of the year awards, etc.), the media would return the favor by doing his bidding. It hasn’t quite happened.
It’s now time for Favre to stop. Attempting to manipulate the media is not the way to get things done. If Favre really wants to come back, he needs to show up at training camp, work his ass off, and attempt to convince the Packers brass he’s the best man to lead the team. If Favre isn’t willing to do that, he needs to sit down and shutup.
Of course in Beane’s eyes the haul consists of a 22 year-old whose dominated older players at every minor league stop, a speedy 2nd basemen with some pop, a five tool outfielder who has never gotten the playing time he deserved, and a former 1st-round pick who was impressive in his pro debut last year.