Former QB great Tarkenton says Favre’s actions ‘despicable’
Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton apparently isn’t a huge Brett Favre fan these days.
Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton, appearing on 790 The Zone in Atlanta, said “it’s all about” Favre when discussing the subject and also had some interesting comments about NFL owners in general. Tarkenton, a resident of the Atlanta area, didn’t need any encouragement to go after Favre and was especially critical of how the future Hall of Fame QB has treated the Packers after playing 16 seasons in Green Bay.
“I think it’s despicable. What he put the Packers through last year was not good,” said Tarkenton, who played for the Vikings from 1961-66 and again from 1972-78. ”Here’s an organization that was loyal to him for 17, 18 years, provided stability of organization, provided players. It just wasn’t about Brett Favre. In this day and time, we have glorified the Brett Favre’s of the world so much, they think it’s about them. He goes to New York and bombs. He’s 39 years old. How would you like Ray Nitschke in his last year [playing for] the Vikings, or I retire, and go play for the Packers? I kind of hope it happens, so he can fail.”
Favre did the retirement dance with Green Bay for multiple years and then ultimately got upset with the team when they decided to finally commit to Aaron Rodgers (after giving Brett at least two chances to return) last offseason. Then he wanted to be traded, so the Packers obliged. Then he retired after one year with the Jets, but now wants to play for the Vikings to burn Green Bay GM Ted Thompson. And for what?
Favre should have played in Green Bay until his arm fell off. He would have been a hero not only in Green Bay, but he would have been one of the biggest sports figures to have ever played. Instead, fans are tired of hearing about him and even a Hall of Famer is calling his actions ‘despicable.’ It’s sad in a lot of ways, because we’re talking about one of the best quarterbacks of all time, yet he has set himself up to be criticized with the way he’s acted the past couple of years.
Some of his criticism is valid, but Tarkenton is overstepping his bounds here. He made more “stupid plays” than anyone, and didn’t play well in the Super Bowl. (Brett did.)
And this notion that Brett “bombed in New York” is simply incorrect. Through Week 12, the Jets were 9-3, had just blown out then-undefeated Tennessee in Nashville (and beat NE the week before), and Favre had 20 TD versus 13 INT. He was in the MVP conversation.
He injured his bicep and both he and the team struggled down the stretch.
Look, I’m not happy about Favre flirting with the Vikings, but I’m numb to it at this point. Yes, it would have been wonderful had he retired a Packer, but that ship has sailed. Let’s not attack the man’s ability because he doesn’t know when to hang ‘em up or is being spiteful for his own purposes.