Favre and the Packers: Too Close for Comfort

I was hiking a mountain gorge in Oregon on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in mid-June.  The waterfalls were rushing, the streams were flowing and … the cell phone was buzzing up a storm! After ignoring the 601 area code calls as much as I could, I finally picked up.  On the other end was the preview of the midsummer classic that the sports world has been treated to between Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers.  It was Bus Cook, Brett’s representative, and he laid out in great detail what was happening with Brett and the Packers, with Brett’s soon-to-be-public desire to return and with the Packers’ soon-to-be-public desire that he stay retired.

Bus is a friend and longtime professional colleague, having negotiated several times on Brett’s behalf, including the 10-year contract we negotiated in 2001.  We hoped, at that time, that Brett would play three years, and he now enters year eight of that contract.

I listened to Bus and confirmed his understanding of the waiver and reinstatement rules.  I kept it to myself and continued, as best I could, my peaceful and long awaited hike.

It all felt too close for comfort, as I not only have a relationship with Brett and Bus through the years, but obviously others involved in the debate.

A few days prior to the call, I had lunch with a good friend from my nine years with the Packers’ front office.  We talked about many subjects, one of which was Brett, but did not dwell on the possibility of him returning.

And on the day prior to my Oregon hike, I was in California having lunch with Aaron Rodgers, a good friend and favorite of mine and others at the Packers, including general manager Ted Thompson.

I will keep the content of these conversations private out of respect for all of the parties involved in this summer drama.  Having had a front-row seat to this group over the past several years, it is sad to watch it unfold as it has, a 16 year relationship reduced to sniping, retreating to favored media contacts, ignored text messages and petty accusations.  No matter what the reasons, it is distressing for the relationship between a proud franchise and its most famous player to be termed a “divorce.”

In the end, neither side truly got what it wanted – Brett did not get to play for the Packers or Vikings and the Packers did not convince him to stay retired -- but that is the result of most negotiations (which this clearly became): no one wins, but there is resolution.

I am torn with a lot of emotions on this one.  I will have much more on this.  Not reveal any deep confidences, but say more.

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