252 The loss was particularly galling: Donna McWilliam, “Packers, Favre Sinking Fast,” Chicago Sun-Times, November 15, 1999.
Two days after the Cowboys setback, Brandi Favre: “Brett Favre’s Sister Charged with Shoplifting,” Associated Press, November 17, 1999.
253 “Some of their guys were so wide open”: “Beuerlein Is Just Fine for Panthers,” Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, December 13, 1999.
“I’m miffed at myself about it”: Scott Fowler, “Packers Coach, Secondary Shoulder Blame After Loss,” Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, December 13, 1999.
254 His quarterback rating was 74.7: Greg Beacham, “Favre Looking for Lost Form,” Associated Press, August 19, 2000.
19. Chewed Up
255 The Gesserts lived in an affluent Milwaukee neighborhood: Adam Pitluk, “Chmura Friend Pleads Out,” Court TV, January 17, 2008.
Then, at approximately 3:30 in the morning: David E. Thigpen, “Path of a Falling Star,” Time, December 31, 2000.
256 According to the babysitter, who was 17, this is when Chmura: Todd Richmond, “Packers’ Chmura Arrested on Accusation of Sexual Assault,” Racine (Wis.) Journal Times, April 10, 2000.
The following day, after the teen and her mother: “Chronology of the Chmura Case,” Associated Press, October 26, 2000.
Chmura was a vocal supporter of Republican Bob Dole’s: Michael O’Keeffe, “Scandal Creates State of Shock in Wisconsin,” New York Daily News, September 24, 2000.
257 “He’s a selfish guy”: Chris Havel, “Q&A with Brett Favre,” PackersNews, April 3, 2006.
258 Football is a job [now], and it: Beacham, “Favre Looking for Lost Form.”
261 “Because I like Brett Favre, as a guy and as a quarterback”: Mitch Albom, “Pack Comes for Dinner—and It’s Delicious,” Detroit Free Press, October 9, 2000.
20. Big Irv
264 “Irv was everywhere”: Les Carpenter, “Down-to-Earth Irv Favre Became Big Hit in Green Bay, Just Like Son,” Seattle Times, January 1, 2004.
266 Irv was asked to return for the next home game: Les Carpenter, “Big Irv’s Legend Ironclad,” Yahoo Sports, November 21, 2013.
269 “He really needed an outlet to pass”: Rick Alonzo, “Minnesota Vikings’ Ryan Longwell on Brett Favre: ‘He’s the Anti-Superstar,’” St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, September 11, 2009.
“There was no one else around”: Ibid.
270 “It was crushing”: Ibid.
“Please comfort him and pray for him”: Deanna Favre, Don’t Bet Against Me!, pp. 55–56.
“The news was so shocking that”: Ibid., p. 55.
271 “If you spent 10 minutes with Irvin Favre”: Thomas Rozwadowski, “Irvin Was a Regular Guy Who ‘Enjoyed Life,’” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, December 23, 2003.
272 Brett called his mother: Brett Farve and Bonita Favre, Favre, p. 204.
It was Donald Driver, the standout wide receiver: Donald Driver, with Peter Golenbock, Driven: From Homeless to Hero, My Journeys on and off Lambeau Field (New York: Crown Archetype, 2013), p. 145.
273 “By now y’all know what happened with my dad”: Peter King, “Do You Believe?” Sports Illustrated, January 12, 2004.
“I just—I just can’t imagine never seeing Dad again”: Deanna Favre, Don’t Bet Against Me!, pp. 56–57.
274 “Batteries, chicken bones, coins, you name it”: Damon Hack, “The Black Hole: For Raiders Fans, So Good It’s Scary,” New York Times, January 11, 2003.
276 “Sometimes in special circumstances”: “Day After Father’s Death, Favre Shreds the Raiders,” New York Times, December 23, 2003.
21. Heir Apparent
278 “You are going to finish this season”: Bob Wolfley, “Favre Ponders Future,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 24, 2002.
“The talk gets old and repetitive”: Dave Lubach, “Favre’s Retirement Talk Boring,” Sheboygan (Wis.) Press, April 29, 2004.
280 For the first time since he entered the league: Joe Menzer, “Favre Is Always Asked When He’ll Hang It Up,” Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, September 11, 2004.
“Favre’s refusal to retire retirement”: Mike Woods, “Favre’s Refusal to Retire Retirement Talk Is Not a Good Sign,” Appleton (Wis.) Post-Crescent, December 12, 2004.
“I wouldn’t do it”: Rick Gosselin, “A True Packer Backer,” Dallas Morning News, August 21, 2004.
For some inexplicable reason: Arnie Stapleton, “Favre’s Kindergartner Wants Her Daddy to Quit,” Associated Press, October 13, 2004.
281 “Brett called my cell phone every hour”: Deanna Farve, Don’t Bet Against Me!, p. 88.
Twelve days later, on October 26, the Favres released: “Wife of Brett Favre Diagnosed with Breast Cancer,” Associated Press, October 26, 2004.
“He really studied it”: Deanna Favre, Don’t Bet Against Me!, p. 91.
282 “I’m gradually cutting it down”: Arnie Stapleton, “Favre Sports Crewcut in Honor of Cancer-Stricken Wife,” Associated Press, December 8, 2004.
283 “what motivation [I] would have to play a 14th season”: Michael Hunt, “A Sad End for Favre,” Edmonton (AB, Canada) Journal, January 11, 2005.
“I think he’s had enough”: Andrew Bagnato, “Teammate Said Favre’s Finished,” Arizona Republic, February 2, 2005.
284 Much of the attention turned to Charlie Frye: Pete Dougherty, “2005 NFL Draft Preview: Might Frye Be the Guy,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, April 19, 2005.
285 “You start questioning everything,” he later said: King, “Do You Believe?”
286 “I played my whole career with a chip on my shoulder”: Phil Hanrahan, Life After Favre: A Season of Change with the Green Bay Packers and Their Fans (New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2009), p. 114.
Later that day, Rodgers spoke via conference call: Arnie Stapleton, “Packers Pass on Defense, Grab Brett Favre’s Heir Apparent,” Associated Press, April 23, 2005.
Rodgers scored a 1310 on the SATs: Karen Crouse, “Packers’ Rodgers Has Deep Roots in Chico,” New York Times, January 30, 2011.
287 The University of Illinois invited him for a visit: Hanrahan, Life After Favre, p. 98.
292 “It’s 2005 and I can’t get in touch”: “NFL Star Favre Fears for Family in Storm-Ravaged Mississippi,” Agence France Presse (Paris), August 30, 2005.
293 On the HBO series Inside the NFL, analyst Cris Collinsworth: Pat Yasinskas, “Brett Favre Era Nearing an End?” Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, October 3, 2005.
295 “Do something!” he pleaded: Don Pierson, “ABC’s Madden Said Repeatedly That Fight Appears to Be Gone,” Chicago Tribune, December 21, 2005.
All told, Favre’s 20 touchdown passes: Greg A. Bedard, “The Time Has Arrived for Favre to Walk Away,” Palm Beach Post, December 24, 2005.
22. McCarthyism
296 Of all the available coaching candidates: Rob Reischel, Mike McCarthy: Nobody’s Underdog (Indianapolis, Ind., Blue River Press, 2012), pp. 18–19.
297 “How [McCarthy] relates to last year’s first-round Packers’ draft choice: Don Pierson, “Youth Tapped in Green Bay,” Chicago Tribune, January 13, 2006.
On January 26, McCarthy and Thompson made the 100-mile drive: Chris Havel, “Packers Make Pitch to Favre,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, January 28, 2006.
Then, in an interview that aired on ESPN three days: Al Jones, “Retirement Strong Possibility for Favre,” Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald, January 30, 2006.
In mid-February, Bob Harlan told: Mike Vandermause, “Harlan Believes Favre Will Be Back,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, February 19, 2006.
298 “It’s a little bit of a waiting game”: Jason Wilde, “Favre Wants More Time,” Wisconsin State Journal, March 1, 2006.
The NFL meetings were held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Jason Wilde, “Waiting Game Wears on Team,” Wisconsin State Journal, March 27, 2006.
“No change. I don’t know, once again”: Joedy McCreary, “Favre Still Unsure if He Will Return Next Season,” Associated Press, April 8, 2006.
It was maddening, and when a TRADE BRETT! billboard: Robyn Webb, “Billboard Reading ‘Trade Brett’ Defaced with Paint,” Associated Press, May 15, 2006.
300 The Patriots won, 35–0, and a humbled McCarthy: Jason Wilde, “Rodgers Put in Tough Situation,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 20, 2006.
“Tell me you wouldn’t take him right now,” Dave DeLand, “Favre Would Look Great in Purple,” St. Cloud (Minn.) Times, November 12, 2006.
“How can we tell he’s not done with us yet?”: Will Leitch, “Oh, Brett, Won’t You Just Let Us Into Your Heart?” Deadspin.com, December 12, 2006.
301 Fourteen days after that, he said he was uncertain: Frank Clines, “The Favre Watch Keeps On Ticking and Ticking,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 25, 2007.
“We have a good nucleus of young players”: Al Jones, “Favre to Play in 2007,” Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald, February 2, 2007.
“That was probably chosen over the more candid”: Mike Hart, “What Favre Should Pass Is the Torch,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 8, 2007.
First, by ripping Thompson in an interview: Tom Silverstein, “Favre Tells TV Station Packers Should Have Gotten Randy Moss,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 12, 2007.
302 The play was quintessential by-the-seat-of-his-pants Favre: Rob Demovsky, “Favre Uses a Favorite Route to Pass Marino,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, October 1, 2007.
303 “As I’ve grown older I’ve become more of a loner”: Alan Shipnuck, “Sportsman of the Year,” Sports Illustrated, December 10, 2007.
304 “He literally eliminated [mistakes] from his game”: Chris Jenkins, “Brett Favre More Careful, Dangerous under Mike McCarthy,” Associated Press, January 18, 2008.
No, they cited his “perseverance and his passion”: Shipnuck, “Sportsman of the Year.”
305 “In a nutshell”: Todd Finkelmeyer, “Favre Doesn’t Need to Be Fabulous, Just Smart,” Capital Times (Madison, Wis.), January 19, 2008.
306 “I just didn’t throw it outside enough”: Ohm Youngmisuk, “Is Favre Finished?” New York Daily News, January 21, 2008.
“That’s no way for Favre to go out”: Barry Wilner, “Favre’s Story Needs Better Final Chapter,” Associated Press, January 22, 2008.
“I didn’t rise up to the occasion”: Ron Schultz, “Favre’s Season of Destiny Ends One Game Too Soon,” Capitol Times (Madison, Wis.), January 21, 2008.
23. Soap
310 Later that day, Favre flew home to Mississippi: Greg Bishop, “Brett Favre,” Sports Illustrated, July 6, 2015.
“growing old is just a helpless hurt”: Mathew Sekeres and Allan Maki, “To Retire or Not to Retire?” (Canada) Globe and Mail, March 8, 2008.
311 “I would say it’s a no-brainer”: Tony Walter, “Packers to Retire Favre’s No. 4,” Green Bay (Wis) Press-Gazette, March 20, 2008.
According to Farmer, Cook “had quietly inquired with teams”: Sam Farmer, “Favre Retired? Maybe Not,” Los Angeles Times, April 4, 2008.
When reached by Sports Illustrated’s website, Favre insisted: Greg Bedard, “Brett Favre Said He’s Still Retired,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 4, 2008.
“It would be hard to pass up”: Greg Bedard, “Favre Might Be Willing to Fill In,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 9, 2008.
312 “To me,” Murphy said wistfully, “he’s made a decision to retire”: Jason Wilde, “Favre’s Final Sendoff Set,” Wisconsin State Journal, April 18, 2008.
On May 21, Rodgers arrived, only to look 10 feet away: Colin Fly, “Packers QB Rodgers Said He’s Ready for Spotlight Post-Favre,” Associated Press, May 22, 2008.
“I don’t feel I need to sell myself to the fans”: Lori Nickel, “QB Said Actions Speak for Him,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 2, 2008.
314 On July 8, Thompson, Favre, and Cook spoke via: Lori Nickel, “No. 4 No More? Favre Asks for Release,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 12, 2008.
315 On July 13, 100 Packers fans held a pro-Favre rally: “Packers Fans Rally to Support QB Favre,” Florida Times-Union, July 14, 2008.
The day after the rally, Favre appeared on Fox News: Don Walker, “Brett Favre Details Past Problems with Packers GM Ted Thompson,” St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, July 14, 2008.
Less than 24 hours later, another pro-Favre rally: David Grace, “Another Day, Another Rally for Favre fans,” Associated Press, July 15, 2008.
On the night of Saturday, July 19, Favre came to Lambeau Field: Lori Nickel, “Favre Mum About Dispute,” Mobile (Ala.) Register, July 21, 2008.
316 An exasperated Murphy traveled to Mississippi: Pete Dougherty and Tom Pelissero, “Favre Considers Offer Not to Play,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, August 1, 2008.
“I think we have to force it”: Tom Silverstein, “Commissioner Gives Packers and Favre a Monday Deadline for Resolution,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 2, 2008.
317 “We agreed to disagree”: Jason Wilde, “Favre All but Gone,” Wisconsin State Journal, August 6, 2008.
319 “I was sure we had Brett Favre”: “Report: Jon Gruden Thought Brett Favre Would Be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer,” St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times Blogs, October 1, 2009.
Tannenbaum, head coach Eric Mangini and Brian Schottenheimer, the offensive coordinator: Steve Serby, Steve, No Substitute for Sundays: Brett Favre and His Year in the Huddle with the New York Jets (Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2009), p. 12.
“Look, you won’t be practicing in Times Square”: Ibid., p. 13.
“Mike, he does not like you guys”: Ibid., p. 17.
321 “I have great FUCKING NEWS!”: Ibid., p. 21.
322 Within two hours, the two Tannenbaums, accompanied by Dave Szott: Ibid., p. 26.
At 5:54 a.m., the plane lifted off for Hattiesburg: Rich Cimini and Ohm Youngmisuk, “O Tannenbaum! GM Makes Deal,” New York Daily News, August 8, 2008.
323 “Am I boring you?”: Ibid., pp. 28–29.
324 “It’s a new system for him”: Ian Begley, “Brett Favre Life of Jets Party in Cleveland,” New York Daily News, August 8, 2008.
325 “Just like home,” Favre cracked: Adam Lisberg, “Mayor Bloomberg Introduces Brett Favre at City Hall Press Conference,” New York Daily News, August 8, 2008.
326 “You win the Super Bowl”: Serby, No Substitute for Sundays, p. 25.
24. J-E-T-S
328 On a good day, 2,000 spectators attended practices: Ibid., pp. 48–49.
The NFL’s website broke a sales record by peddling 3,200: Peter Trinkle, “Making the Call: Brett to the Jets Is Good Business,” Gothamist, August 10, 2008.
“I’ll never forget one of the first balls he threw”: Favre 4 Ever.
329 “I heard you’re not talking to the media”: Rich Cimini, “Favre Faces Coles and Subject Is Chad,” New York Daily News, August 14, 2008.
“There were times in practice I was wondering if”: Gary Myers, “Favre, Jets Are Learning to Fly,” New York Daily News, August 10, 2008.
Favre made his first start: Rob Erickson and Carrie Melago, “Fans on a Tear Four Favre’s New $80 Jersey,” New York Daily News, August 9, 2008.
“I feel like I’m a Jet, I do”: Dennis Waszak, “After Solid First Start, Favre Feels Like a Jet,” Associated Press, August 17, 2008.
330 He and Deanna put their 3,000-square-foot: Patti Zarling, “Brett Favre’s House for Sale for $475K,” Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette, October 2, 2008.
331 “I think it’s disrespectful”: Simon Evans, “Lights, Camera, Brett vs. Chad,” Montreal Gazette,” September 7, 2008.
332 “Take the shackles off . . . let him wing it”: Steve Serby, “Let Favre Be Favre,” New York Post, September 7, 2008.
“I will be alright,” he said afterward: Gary Myers, “Brett and His Coach Struggle as Gang Is Not Ready for Prime Time,” New York Daily News, September 23, 2008.
333 “He deserved it,” Coles said: Rich Cimini, “Broadway Brett Deep-Sixes Cards,” New York Daily News, September 29, 2008.
334 “I don’t know where we go from h
ere”: Ohm Youngmisuk, “Favre Feeling Big Blue Chill,” New York Daily News, October 1, 2008.
336 Eric Barton, one of the team’s better linebackers, ran over a goose: Serby, No Substitute for Sundays, pp. 110–11.
337 “The Jets have a solid chance of making the Super Bowl”: D. J. Slater, “Packers Fans Miss No. 4, Watch Jets with Envy,” Marshfield (Wis.) News, November 29, 2008.
After the season, he would learn the cause: Mike Florio, “Report: Favre Played with Undisclosed Shoulder Injury,” Pro Football Talk, November 14, 2010.
338 “I don’t have all the answers”: Greg Bell, “Seahawks Upset Jets in Snow, 13-3,” Associated Press, December 22. 2008.
339 “I don’t know,” he said. “Just knowing my body”: “Favre Admits Arm Is Bothering Him,” Chicago Tribune, December 25, 2008.
340 “Get your hat, boy!”: Harvey Araton, “Jet Reject Is One Headed to the Playoffs,” New York Times, December 29, 2008.
“If he wants to come back and if he can put in: Brian Lewis, “Brett to Have MRI,” New York Post, December 29, 2008.
25. A Norse God
343 On June 5, Cook told the Associated Press that Favre: Dave Campbell, “Favre’s Agent Said Quarterback Is Still Retired,” Associated Press, June 5, 2009.
Within 72 hours, ESPN reported that Favre: Lori Nickel, “Report: Favre Has Surgery on Shoulder,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 8, 2009.
He explained that while he and Childress had yet to speak: Rick Alonzo, “Favre’s Arm May Be Stronger Than His Desire,” St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, June 11, 2009.
“Let’s either get it done”: Sam Farmer, “Patience Wearing Thin,” Chicago Tribune, June 19, 2009.
On July 20, Childress said he ’ d: Katie Thompson, “Childress: Favre’s Throwing Motion Looks Fine,” Associated Press, July 20, 2009.
“It was the hardest decision I ever made”: Jon Krawczynski, “Favre Said No to Comeback with Vikings,” Brattleboro (Vt.) Reformer, July 28, 2009.
345 “I can be persistent at times”: Judd Zulgad, “Remarkably, Favre’s Back—Again,” Connecticut Post Online, August 18, 2009.
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