Brett Favre is the golden boy of pro football, so it’s strange to see him getting blasted on national television. Last night on The Best Damn Sports Show Period the gang went off on Favre after showing clips of an interview with Javon Walker. Walker blew out his knee and is out for the season, but he’s pissed off at Favre for making comments earlier this year when Walker was threatening a holout. Favre made it clear in the press that he felt Walker should be in camp, and Walker claims these comments destroyed his negotiating position with the Packers. Now he has a season-ending ACL tear, and he’ll have to fight hard next year to earn the big contract he felt he deserved.
John Salley in particular ripped Favre, saying Brett could sit comfortably with his millions while Walker just lost his best chance at a big payday. Salley argued that holdouts and threatened holdouts were part of the negotiation process, and Favre should not interfere in another player’s business. The rest of the panel agreed, with Rodney Peete saying that Favre should be ashamed of himself. Some also made a distinction between this case and the T.O. saga, since T.O. had already received the big contract, while Walker had not.
I’m not sure how I come out on this one. In today’s sports world this situation highlights the tension between team loyalty and the big paydays available to star players. It is interesting, however, to see Favre dragged into this controversy while struggling through a losing season. This probably isn’t what he had in mind when he decided to return for another season.
First of all, they should rename that show The WORST Damn Sports Show Period. It stinks. I have no idea why this show keeps getting aired.
Second, Favre showed leadership in complaining about holdouts. Holdouts may be part of the game, but that doesn’t mean the starting QB, who happens to be a future hall of famer, should like it.
Third, Walker is out for the season. Who gives a shit what he thinks? It’s like Kellen Winslow Jr. commenting on Trent Dilfer. Take your Percoset and get in the fucking gym, dumbass.
Don’t be coy there, Tim. Why don’t you say what’s really on your mind?
My take is this: Favre really has nothing to do with it. Walker knew what he was getting himself into when he went to camp unsigned. He clearly had a plan to finish this year strong, then sign in the offseason for a big contract with someone else. He knew that doing so would hinge on getting through the season healthy, and unfortunately for him, he got rolled in the first week. Bad luck. But not Favre’s fault.
I don’t think that show is that bad. It’s sort of like a live blog. They often sound like idiots, but they will speak their minds on topics that the other shows won’t touch.
Walker had two years remaining on his contract, so his best chance of receiving a new deal was to play this year out, have another 1200+ yard season and re-negotiate with the Packers during the offseason – which is exactly what he was doing when he tore his ACL against Detroit. I don’t see how Favre ruined Walker’s negotiating position. No Packer fan was rooting for a holdout, so Favre coming out and saying what he said to the press was just the voice of the fans. The bigger issue is that Favre is still playing because he wants to win a Super Bowl, and you’re not going to win a title when your best receiver is holding out of training camp looking for a new deal. Favre wanted him in camp and said so. Walker is just pissed now because his injury didn’t coincide very well with the contract he originally signed, but those are the breaks. Players have come back from ACL tears before and Walker has the luxury of getting paid while he rehabs his knee. I bet that if he comes back strong, the Packers will give him a fat contract – unless he burns all his bridges first.
Just another spoiled pro athlete saying “show me the money” I appreciate Bret’s work ethics and his love of the game. If more pros’s loved the sport and not the money Bret would be easier to understand for the cry babies. Bring back the good old days, and sent the spoiled brats back to the projects and their welfare checks.
Rick
John Salley is a racist. He sees only black