Kneeling down on that grass, staring up at the empty stands, for the first time he feels at home. Maybe it was the view of his own breath that reminded him of his former state. Maybe it was the fact that he felt needed again. Whatever it was, it was nice to finally not have that homesick feeling anymore.
Even now, he got a kick out of watching the other players taking deep breaths and running in place to keep warm. It never really affected him, the weather. Matter of fact, he loved playing in these kind of temperatures.
He loved looking at the scoreboard seeing 25 degrees and snowflakes pounding on the field, realizing that the thrill he had for the game alone kept him warm.
Brett Favre. Quite the controversial name nowadays.
Love him or hate him, he’s back ladies and gentleman. At 39-years-old, there isn’t too much you can say that would really get to him. He has proved the theory “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” to be true.
A resistant Jets team wasn’t sure what Brett would really do for the team, besides add more popularity. Little did they know, they would be falling in love with his personality, his drive, and his dedication to putting the “fun” back in competition.
Teammate Jerricho Cotchery says, “He’s changed the culture totally. When I first met him, he was saying that the two things he was going to do was score touchdowns and have fun. And we’ve been scoring touchdowns, and we’ve been having a lot of fun. It’s more relaxed. Guys are having fun each and every day. Guys are happy to be here”.
Sunday will be one of the Jets' biggest games and they are preparing hard for it. They will be meeting the undefeated 10-0 Tennessee Titans, but have a lot of momentum as they are coming off four straight victories, holding an impressive 7-3 record.
When asked if he was ready to play the Titans, Brett humbly replied, “We're playing the best team in football right now. It will be a tough test, but not any tougher than what we faced last week. This is what I came back for-this feeling”.
And this is why we love to watch you Brett. Maybe it is pretty humorous that you are the NFL leader in not only touchdown passes, but interceptions as well. One minute people are hoisting you on their shoulders rooting for you, the very next they are slamming you for throwing another pick.
Regardless, you have an amazing sense of humor about it, as you proved in last week’s game against the Patriots.
“After the coin flipped in overtime, Randy Moss looked at me and said ‘throw a pick’. So I wanted to find him and tell him I didn’t,” he said with a smile.
Some have stated, and maybe correctly, that the reason Favre has broken so many records is simply that he's played in the league for so long.
With that said, it could also be truly stated that his longevity alone is one of the rarest things you can find in the NFL.
Brett’s attitude has been quite contagious, even with head coach Eric Mangini. Mangini points out why it is more pleasure than pain having Brett as his QB.
“He can be focused, get his work done, but keep the group light, keep practice fun, keeps the guys excited about each day. He’s got that passion for football, that love of the game.”
Yes, he certainly does Eric.
Tennessee is ready but nervous for this game, and have been since the beginning of the season.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz remembers looking at the schedule in April thinking, “When he retired, I was like ‘Whew, we got away with that one,’ because we had Green Bay on the schedule this year. And then he showed up on the schedule anyway, because we have the JETS too. And if he would have gone to Minnesota, we would have seen him there too. We were really rooting for Tampa Bay to tell you the truth.”
Well said Jim. I wouldn’t want my team facing Brett Favre and his stellar defense when they are as amped up as they are.
Win or lose, the Jets should be proud of themselves. From a 2-8 start last year to where they are now is a pretty magical thing.
Their storybook year has been epic to say the least. Will the next chapter written include the spoiling of a team's perfect season?
Or will the critics get the pen and continue to castigate Brett's return to glory?
My bet is on the JETS. My bet is on sweet redemption. My bet is on the storybook ending.
My bet is on Brett.
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about 1 month ago
First comment. YES!!!!!!!!
God, you still have it. I keep thinking it is only temporary, but you can make me think about something deeper than statistics.
Whenever I get down on myself, and think that maybe the pursuit of an NFL analyst or a writer is something beyond my control or is something that will pass, your articles get me back into the passion.
Thanks Kristin. :)
from about 1 month ago
James, if you want to kiss ass go to a cat house.
Not B/R.
Seriously.....
If you want to know why I am being a prick...read my bio and you'll understand. Its great that her writing inspires you, but as Oscar Wilde once said, never put into words your worship of another person. Don't ever think of telling them.
I know you don't worship, but think about it.
Thats real talk.
from about 1 month ago
Well David, you said quite a mouthful.
You know, considering I don't know you like you don't know the people who leave notes on your bio, I'm going to ignore your comment about me kissing her rear. She is a friend of mine and I say what I mean.
As for Wilde, he may have been a great author, but to follow him blindly is to be a lamb without a mind of your own. As Euripedes said, "the wisest men follow their own direction."
"In life people will try to stop you and try to knock you down. My answer? Only if you let them."
You should recognize this David. If you think that you are going to knock me down then you are as dumb as the fly that keeps going near the person with the swatting hand.
That is all I will say.
from about 1 month ago
Who's trying to knock you down?
I was only calling you out for extreme ass kissing.
And who is following Oscar Wilde? I was merely quoting a very intelligent man.
Nice try man.
I'm just keepin it real.
That is all I will say.
from about 1 month ago
lol. Thanks James. I am glad I can offer motivation ;)
Thanks for the read and glad you enjoyed it!
from about 1 month ago
David, I would say you missed the ENTIRE point of b/r. If it weren't for writers like Kristin and James, I probably wouldn't still be writing on the site. It is NEVER a bad thing to offer encouraging words and build up another writer because that's the very foundation this site thrives on.
I'm not sure what your problem is, but there was NO REASON for you to jump all over James for giving Kristin much-deserved praise.
Kristin - obviously another excellent write. Congrats on the strong win!
from about 1 month ago
david - wow. who are you to tell someone who they should and shouldn't derive inspiration from? or the quality of that inspiration. you got a lot of balls. anything you would ever write for Bleacher Report is now meaningless to me.
from about 1 month ago
...just figured out that David is the author of the series Brett Favre v. Aaron Rogers. too bad - i enjoyed that series. AND you're a Favre fan. even more disappointing. i will stop reading it IMMEDIATELY. see my previous comment...
about 1 month ago
Honestly, I am not satisfied with 7-3. I want to see Favre back in the playoffs, back in the Super Bowl...back on that podium.
I am rooting for the Jets all the way!
Favre has the magic back and he is ready to lead the Jets on a run. With the Titans next up, I think Favre has a chance to shut his critics right up.
Brett Favre is the epitome of a leader. He doesn't make big pregame speeches or half-time inspirational ones. He leads by example. Shows the fun he is having. With every TD he lives minutes longer. With every win, he is just that much happier.
He was born for this.
Nice article.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah but 7-3 is pretty awesome when 3 of those games came at the beginning...they were getting used to their new QB who had like 3 weeks to study a playbook--it was only a matter of time before they started clicking. I will take mid-season as opposed to the end of it...
Big game Sunday!! I am really hoping for some spoiling :)
from about 1 month ago
Favre is on his game right now. He is being smart with the ball and is getting rid of the ball early. Big win for the Jets, perhaps 2 wins away from the playoffs!
about 1 month ago
wow..well done again.
from about 1 month ago
thanks Matthew
about 1 month ago
Nice article as usual Kristin, you are quickly becoming my favorite writer. I honestly hope that the Titans pull this out though, because i'd rather the Lions catch them when they are undeafeated and flying high, rather than coming off a "pee-pee slapping" at the hands of the Jets.
Either way, probably won't matter much but for sure, Favre has made all the difference in the world in New York.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Scott :)
I love how Favre is starting to feel more comfortable with the system and we are seeing the old Brett emerge. You can't help but wanna root for the guy-.
Thanks for the read :)
about 1 month ago
“He can be focused, get his work done, but keep the group light, keep practice fun, keeps the guys excited about each day. He’s got that passion for football, that love of the game.”
Love this Mangini quote. This is what's its about when it's all said and done.
Great job again Kristin. Another 5*, POTD.
from about 1 month ago
Aww thanks Michael. Appreciate your read and comment. GO JETS!!
about 1 month ago
kristin, nice job. you know, i get a rap for giving brett a hard time. i actually appreciate how he's played and what he's done for green bay. but on the flipside, i really despised the way things went down before the season began.
but all the aside, he does seem to be enjoying himself and it's definitely reignited the jets. if i were them, though, i'd be concerned about how long it will last, beyond this season i mean. but maybe that's not the point either. (do i have one?)
i think this game on sunday will go a long way towards determining whether people think the jets are legit. not to say they aren't, but just how much remains to be seen.
from about 1 month ago
Daniel-
Yes you do give him a hard time, but it is pretty funny when you do. You have a great way of going about it. I think you nailed a great point in your last sentence. Sunday will be a great test...I think they played amazing last THURS against NE and if they can bring that kind of game (no interceptions Brett) then it will be one of the toughest TENN has faced.
Thanks for the read
about 1 month ago
Pat: Uhhhhhhh I mean really, you like Brett Favre?
Bernie: Oh that is really too bad. For awhile there I thought you were the perfect girl
Pat: SHE IS! SHE LIKES BRETT FAVRE!! HALLEJUAH!!
Bernie: lol. Um........Shake and Bake?
from about 1 month ago
Awww Bernie--love or hate Brett--he is still bring the fun back. Thanks for the comment guys :)
about 1 month ago
Hey Kristin, I love your endings to your articles. Always leaves the reader impressed. Yes I am on the side of the NY Jets and Brett Favre. I hope they win sunday and they certainly have a good chance. Well done on the quotes from other players. I like the one from Randy Moss. HAHA. The passion of your writing skills comes out again. Well done.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah the Moss quote was classic....and the way Brett said it was hilarious. Hope they can pull out a win Sunday!
about 1 month ago
good article kristin. i ve reiterated about favre already half dozen times but their are favre haters who will chime in too! what a lot of flack one writer got for rating him #2 all time but that s where he belongs!!! absolutely the best q/b playing today i know warner is having a good year and kerry collins is managing his team well/ brett brings the excitement enthusiasm and gets people around him to play better. risk takers get the picks now anfd then but if you dont take chances you can t make 40 4th qaurter comebacks happen either. only q.b in history better is joe montana!!thats about it! tom brady and peyton need more to catch up to joe! or brett! here comes the tom brady folks next lol thomas
from about 1 month ago
Thanks thomas...appreciate the comment and read as always :)
about 1 month ago
i picke the jets this weekend and i ve been sizzzling hot!! jets win! jets win! sry titans! lol
from about 1 month ago
JETS did win thomas :) Good pickin
about 1 month ago
I've purposefully avoided forming an opinion on Favre because he is certainly one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, but I'm a Patriots fan, so the whole "Jets" thing is a little difficult to swallow.
But the only thing I AM sure of is, Favre's comeback is sure better than Jordan's was.
from about 1 month ago
Couldn't agree more SM. Thanks for the read
about 1 month ago
Nicely done. You had me at the first graph. Not much of an NFL fan, but I root for the Titans because Jeff was a Trojan, and one of the nicest guys in the NFL. I wish him well.
I also root for Brett...hated the way he handled the GB departure, but he's still got game, and I love his never-say-die attitude. Brett may just beat the Titans, and Packers fans will be wondering if management made the right decision to let him go. Aaron needs a chance to prove he is the new face of GB, but he has a heavy burden- carrying the weight of a huge legend on his shoulders.
POTD. :)
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Lise--always appreciate your comments. Glad he pulled this one off. If anything, I just want him to walk away feeling....like he did the best he could. No interception being his last play this time :)
about 1 month ago
5 stars ..potd..wonderful job blondie..err i mean kristin..lol
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Stoker :)
about 1 month ago
great article! ive always liked and respected favre but.... as a titans fan, i hope he gets crushed!
from about 1 month ago
Aw sorry about your Titans...If anything, I would say they got crushed ;) Thanks for the read and the comment
from about 1 month ago
yea that was a tough game to watch. i have to buy a new remote now!
about 1 month ago
Thanks for writing such kind words about my JETS. It has been a while.
from about 1 month ago
Anytime Bruce--they're looking damn good
about 1 month ago
God I'm hoping for that storybook ending. Good article.
from about 1 month ago
I know! Me too, though Sunday wasn't that great....I just want to see him pull this year off! What a great ending that would be...if it were the ending for him :) Doesn't need to be a SuperBowl, but hell, just going out with a bang rather than an interception would be nice...
about 1 month ago
Another excellent piece Kristen.
Let the haters hate, but stats don't lie about greatness. His ONE downfall is his INTs, but that's because Favre is probably the greatest risk taker the game has ever seen. He sees triple coverage, but still believes he can thread the needle.
As Tony Kornheiser said that Monday Night in Denver last year, "Sure he throws a pick, but he'll keep slinging it, because he believes the next one is going for six."
Favre 4Ever!
from about 1 month ago
LOL. I love Kornheiser's quote cause it is SO true. I love the risktaker in Brett--think it's a rarity to find. Thanks for the comment!
about 1 month ago
Just like you said, PLACE YOUR BRETT'S ON THE JETS!
about 1 month ago
I like your points man. Good stuff man.
about 1 month ago
David is entitled to his own opinion too—which also is one of the premises of b/r. B/r is all about kiss ass, you kiss someone's ass they'll kiss yours, even if it isn't warranted. Kristin, this is no diss to you because I've always loved your work and this is no exception, but I'm just defending one of my friends here.
James—I'm sure you genuinely like her work, and I don't blame you.
Jeff—don't give up on David's work. He is a great writer, and his Brett v Aaron article is always a must read. Don't judge opinions so harshly
from about 1 month ago
Hey I don't take it as a diss. Lately, I have noticed the kiss ass thing, and I just steer clear of it. I just write to write and if I enjoy something on here by someone else, I give credit where credit is due.
Thanks for the comment :)
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