Why Brett, why?

I gave up American Football this year; my career was one of extremely modest glories within the idyllic setting of the British University American Football League. The rigmarole of committing every Sunday, of committing to training, of committing to being constantly sore was for me; at the age of 22-in my prime (if that’s what you can call it) was too much. I needed a rest. But when the thought of playing one game-a friendly against newly formed Northumbria University reared its temptations head, the prospect was irresistible. One last shot at glory, one last run with the ball in my hands where I could make amends for the last time the ball was in my hands and I unceremoniously fumbled it.

There aren’t many similarities between my American Football career, which would be given a huge compliment if it were to be described as a fish piddling in the ocean, and the career of Brett Favre, but this appears to be one. It appears Brett cannot resist the temptation of putting on the helmet once again either. The chance to make amends for a last play, which was clearly a moment of madness. The question boils down to one thing; does Brett Favre have anything left to prove? Certainly this is where the comparison between Favre and I falls apart. For it is clear , that my piddle in the ocean of the American Football landscape could not equate to his shark like career. So why would he make a return?

There are two ways this can go, Route Testeverde or Route Elway . If Brett comes back again and fails, he will keep coming back until he makes something special happen once again, until his gun slinging plays dividends, or until his body is so decrepit that no team, not even the Carolina Panthers will have him. Or, the image of Elway will be playing in Favre’s head. If Favre gets it done this season, it’s a better story. The doubt was in his mind, so he had to retire, but the hunger continued to drive him and it drove him back to the Holy Grail of American Football; The Superbowl.

Favre claims that his retirement is a great situation for Aaron Rodgers. It’s clearly not. Look at all those who follow a QB legacy, look at the Bronco’s, and look at the Dolphins. It’s a thankless task. Now the elephant in the room grows, as Favre has not closed the door to a comeback if needed. The comeback was discussed in the scenario of an injury to Rodgers, but for a savvy veteran such as Favre, it would be unlikely that he would show his hand to the press. Favre must be flirting with the idea of coming back in the event of a run of poor Aaron Rodgers form, or just because he wants to.

There is now an X on the back of Aaron Rodgers. If a defensive player inflicts an injury on Rodgers, they have not only added to their own image, but they have had a chance to make history, a chance to personally bring the most talked about athlete of the past decade back to Lambeau. These players gunning for Rodgers did not grow up idolising Rodgers. Instead they grew up idolising Favre. The chance to imprint their name in the Favre story may be incredibly tempting.

Rodgers will be fighting a losing battle now, he could have told his coaches in confidence that he would be willing to consider a return, but not go to the media. Rodgers is going to suffer growing pains, but now I’m almost rooting for him. One man can save Aaron Rodgers and it’s the same man who saved the last Favre chapter: Ryan Grant.  If Grant grows with experience rather than experiencing a sophmore slump then Rodgers can rely on Grant to untap defences allowing him more freedom to perform and live up to the expectation of a Favre heir. Rodgers can also thank Mcarthy; while reigning in Favre in his final season, Mcarthy has installed a system, which is comparatively mistake proof, which is perfect for a QB starting his first season. He also refused to go for broke in the last Favre year, meaning that the team is young and maturing rather than being crippled by the salary cap and post Favre hangover. This decreases the likelihood of Rodgers being a scapegoat.

I love you Brett, but you’ve let me down here. I was only just getting over you going before you try and come back into my life. You’ve let me down and you’ve let poor wee Aaron Rodgers down. Let our wounds heal and take us by surprise. You know you are wanted, you don’t need to feel wanted. People will still talk about you incessantly whether you fuel the fire or not. So don’t fuel the fire. Unless you are planning to go on Sunday night football wearing really tight shorts just so we can see what John Madden’s reaction will be. That’s a fire you can fuel my lad.