Tom E. Curran • E-mail

Got a batch of emails after writing a column about Ol’ Brett Favre. Came away thinking what I normally do. People are twisted. A sampling…

Mr. Curran,
How can you call the greatest QB in recent NFL history snot bubbling???? GB owes him nothing??? ARE YOU SERIOUS. GB owes him 16 years of the dedication he gave to the team. You were extremely rude and condescending in your article. What have you done, Mr. Curran? I've never heard of you before. Learn some respect before cowardly bashing a legend for millions to see.
— Take care, Some guy

TC: And then, bash away!

Tom, I'm a longtime Packer fan who grew up near Green Bay, now living in Los Angeles.  Of course, I've admired Favre's career and play over the years (except for the picks!). You are so right on in your article that you wrote.  Nobody has hit it on the head in regards to this issue like you have.  A week ago I would have said we should take Favre back at all costs, now I don't care where he plays (if he plays). Anyway, nice job and great perspective!
— Best, John Lappen

TC: Love ya, John.

Hi Tom, Rarely do I read sports stories but I thoroughly enjoyed your Brett Favre kabob-ing. Many friends have been die hard Packers, so I've seen the cycle of hope and despair up close and personal... and there is no doubt (to me) he has "the decisiveness of a squirrel on the freeway." Excellent work.
— Cheerio, Melanie

TC: And a Cheerio back at you, Mel.

Hey, he is an old football player, jerk, not an Iranian dictator.
— Sal Vinterella

TC: But he is the Ayatollah of Interceptions. Can we agree there, Sal?

Hi,
You mentioned Desmond Howard and the Super Bowl. I don't know how old you are. I seem to remember all the columnists who knew anything saying that it was Reggie White who brought the Packers to greatness. No one in the NFL wanted to play in Siberia until Reggie White came there.  Then it was OK. He led the team there mentally spiritually and physically.They did absolutely nothing before he got there. I don't even remember Desmond Howard. How quickly we seem to forget. How could you have left Reggie out of this column?
Steve Swanson
— Rock Hill,  South Carolina

TC: First of all Steve, there are no columnists that know anything. Second of all, they still don’t want to play in Siberia. And I don’t think they ever will. Finally, not sure if you had a TV in February, 1997 but Desmond Howard was MVP of the Packers only Super Bowl win with Favre at the controls.

Mr. Curran:
Brilliant article. I couldn't agree more. If you or I acted this way toward our employers (who don't pay either one of us a fraction of a fraction of what Mr. Favre has made over the years) we would be escorted out of our places of employment by security. Thank you for saying what no one in Green Bay can acknowledge.
— Cheers, James Locke

TC: And here’s a cheers for you, James.

Tom,
I am pleased to read the opinion of someone who is not afraid to tell it like it is. I have loved watching Brett over the years. I have also wanted to strangle him for stupid decisions. This new saga though is telling me something else is up. Over the last few years there has been only one thing that has been consistent in Brett's public demands: That is his desire to be teamed with Randy Moss and a core of All Pro receivers. I admit this may seem crazy, but I have this funny feeling that Tom Brady's ankle is still a problem. I have heard nothing on the subject in the off season. Ankle injuries are very difficult to heal. I had a friend who went to several doctors and found out after a year of pain he had a broken leg. It just seems that a chance to play with Randy Moss on a Super Bowl contender would be the one thing he would not be able to pass up. You seem like a guy who is willing to go out on a limb. Check it out. Everyone is looking at teams that obviously need a QB. Look outside the box on this one.
— Richard

TC: Richard, Tom Brady’s ankle is fine and even if it was amputated on the eve of the opener (leaving a space between shin and foot), the Patriots would go in a direction other than Favre. But I appreciate the email just the same.

Hey,
You're an idiot. Farve also has every other record there is. He's won more games than any other quarterback in the history of the NFL! You don't do that if you're not great. So learn a thing or two about football.  Desmond Howard aided Super Bowl? What are you talking about? So Tom Brady's rings are Adam Viniteri (sp.) aided rings? What a dumb thing to say.
— Ryan Clifton

TC: It’s spelled F-A-V-R-E. But he no doubt appreciates the worshipful defense even if you can’t spell his name.

Slide show Fabulous Favre Top moments from quarterback’s record-breaking career.

Tom,
I am from Wisconsin. I am a Packer fan. I've liked watching Favre play over the years. But I agree wholeheartedly with your column. Brett put the Packers in an awkward situation and is acting like a child trying to get his own way. He's damaged only his own reputation and certainly lessened himself in the minds of a lot of Packer fans who agree with you and me on this one. Time to grow up, Brett! You forgot the word "team" somewhere along the line. The game was never just about you.
— M. Hoffman

TC: Thanks, M.

Mr. Curran,
Excellent article regarding Favre's recent treatment of the Green Bay organization and fans. Too often, he is given a free pass by those in sports journalism - a glaring example is the frequently overlooked interception record he holds, juxtaposed with the constantly mentioned touchdown record. Your article was quite refreshing.
— Jeff Ogden

---------------------------------------------

Hey,
You are an idiot. Bret Favre has every right to change his mind, it's not against the law to change your mind. How can the Packers refuse him. Arron Rodgers has not even made all pro yet. I would take Bret over any Quarterback in the N.F.L. he saved the franchise. He is still able to play, even at 38. He is no back-up, but when Rodgers starts losing they'll be asking Bret to save them though. If he were to compete for the quarterback position in preseason Bret would win. He would beat him. I would rather have a hall of famer be my quarterback than some one who hasn't done (poop) yet.
— Roberto Rivera

TC: Thanks for changing the tone away from Joe, Roberto.

Oh my God,
What asshat hired you to write such drivel? Favre isn’t deserving? You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors between the GM and Favre. If the man waffled on playing despite the team’s success, despite the millions, what would be the reason? Perhaps a GM that wants to finally take the thrown of power in Green Bay (which he will never be able to do). Here’s to Brett Favre coming out of retirement to torch the jackasses in Green Bay management. I will always cheer for Favre no matter what team he plays for.  He’s proved himself as a legend of the game and deserves to put the cleats back on if he’s changed his mind. I imagine a few months removed from the front office politics and spin games has refreshed him. Don’t you remember him carrying his teammate on his shoulders and celebrating a touchdown? I guess you can join the crowd of haters that want to boost your own self esteem by speaking of things you know little about and declaring to the world that Favre is actually a human being. Tom Curran you win my award for asshat of the year. May your contract not get renewed so you can retire to a life of editing classified ads for your hometown rag.
— Jason Weiss

TC: What’s a “thrown of power?”

Tom,
This is America, people can do what they want. Football is his life, so what else can you expect the guy to do? I just did not appreciate the tone of your article. This is Brett Favre we are talking about, he is one of the best. He has always been down to earth, humble, fun-loving. He isn’t doing this to be malicious. He just wants to play. It's not a sin.
— Aesha Ahmad

TC: I just want to play, too. Can I, Mr. Thompson? I’m humble and fun-loving.

Tom,
You made some good points, but you didn't need to be so petty and arrogant doing
so.
— Jeff

TC: It is what it are.

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