The Packers had intended to retire Brett Favre's jersey on September 8, 2008, when the Packers played the Vikings at Lambeau Field in a prime time game.
The #4 retirement ceremony, of course, did not go off as scheduled.
Speaking at Fan Fest on Saturday, Packers President Mark Murphy said Favre's jersey won't be retired this season.
That decision is really a no-brainer.
From FOX Sports:
The Green Bay Packers will retire Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey at some point, and team president and CEO Mark Murphy envisions a day when Favre is once again part of the family.
But given the messy divorce between Favre and the Packers last year, the reconciliation — and the ceremony — probably won't happen this year.
"I don't anticipate it this season," Murphy said Saturday, speaking to reporters at the team's annual "fan fest" at Lambeau Field. "Obviously we will do it. We've made that commitment. He deserves to have his number retired. I just think both sides need some time."
"Quite honestly, from a practical standpoint, we had to cancel one retirement ceremony already," Murphy said, laughing. "I think it's smart to make sure that he is retired, rather than going through a situation like that again."
All kidding and past acrimony aside, Murphy said Favre will be welcomed back when both sides decide that the time is right.
I don't think Murphy is kidding when he speaks of making sure that Favre really is retired.
I wouldn't be surprised if Favre came out of retirement again.
I can picture him being lured back in if a team loses a quarterback due to an injury after the season begins.
Favre could avoid training camp that way and a team might make him an offer he couldn't refuse. Who knows?
There's no question that Favre's number should be retired, eventually.
I agree with Murphy that there needs to be some time before that happens. Favre is still so bitter. There's way too much bad blood right now.
It won't be easy to bring Favre back into the Packers family. I think it would be different if Favre had signed with the Jets and that was the end of it. But throughout the 2008 season and beyond, there continued to be so much animosity, such as when Favre allegedly approached the Detroit Lions, offering the team information on the Packers' offense.
Favre was so weird about not saying a word to Aaron Rodgers while being a "big brother" figure to Dallas' Tony Romo.
As I said, way too much bad blood.
Retiring Favre's jersey at this time would be so awkward.
What are we supposed to do? Forget the 2008 season? Pretend the entire mess never happened?
The end of the Favre era wasn't befitting the legend. It got really ugly. Favre's history with the Packers is tainted. It can't be rewritten and it won't be forgotten.
Can all be forgiven?
Yes, down the road.
Eventually.
Not 2009.
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