West Side Stories

A Tosa resident for almost 20 years, Karen is a mom and freelance writer, addicted to playing tennis. When not on the tennis court, she spends the fall and winter in the stands at Green Bay Packer and Marquette basketball games.

Karen is the author of “Grab a Bite,” a dining out column and the former community columnist for the Wauwatosa NOW newspaper.

Dear Brett Favre,

Packers

Dear Brett Favre,
It’s been a while since I’ve written to you. Last time was several years ago and it was an unabashed fan letter. You see, I have this thing I try to do – when I think something nice about somebody, I try to make it a point to tell them. Because, really, what’s the point of thinking it if you don’t share it with that person? Back then, I often thought: “Gee, that Brett Favre seems like a good guy – honest, hard-working, unselfish – total team player both on and off the field.” So I wrote that. I think it was over a year later, you sent me a cheesy mass-produced postcard with a picture of your family and something printed on it. Gee, thanks. But no big deal – I expected less.

Back then, when I was your biggest fan, I believed every word you said. I didn’t know then about your own personal dressing room and how you never dressed in the team locker room. Gee, what a team player. How very Barry Bonds-like of you.

Anyway, Brett, I take back everything I said in that letter. You and I – we’re done. In my eyes, you’ve tarnished your legacy.

I watched you on HBO’s Joe Buck Live the other night. I saw how the normally pointed Buck turned all mushy and lobbed you softballs and traded quips with you and never really asked anything of any substance. I listened to you refer to yourself and the Vikings as “we” and then rolled my eyes when you said that you were “maybe” coming back to play.

And then, I heard you use the most ridiculous analogy to describe your leaving the Packers – you compared yourself to Vince Lombardi (how dare you) and him leaving to coach the Washington Redskins. Brett, you’re no Vince Lombardi and, last time I checked, the Redskins have never been in the Packers’ division.

I have no problem with you coming back to play. Seriously, you have every right to do so. Go for it – I don’t care.

What bothers me is your insincerity and your inability to be straightforward. If you really “just wanted to play,” then why did you ask for a release from the Jets and specifically seek out the Vikings? Be honest. You had a job. You left that job with the specific goal of executing your own personal vendetta against Ted Thompson. For an almost-40-year old, that sounds pretty immature.

My armchair psychiatric analysis says that you’re addicted to that rush of fame, fortune and attention. How else to explain your constant need to be in the media spotlight every spring and summer, texting ESPN reporters with rumors of your return? Maybe you and Lindsey Lohan should hang out together.

But, like I said, it’s definitely your right to seek employment anywhere you choose. All I know is that I’ll see you on November 1st at Lambeau Field. I’ll be sitting in Section 136 proudly wearing my Aaron Rodgers jersey that my husband bought me to replace the Favre jersey. (I should have listened to hubby years ago – he was never a big fan of yours.) When you run out on the field, I won’t boo – that’s not my style. But when our D-line breaks through and plants you on the tundra, I’ll be cheering more loudly than anyone else. You see, Brett - I’m a Packer fan.

Sincerely,

Karen

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