Favre, Green Bay and Legacy

Gone are the days of athletes and loyalty. Yes, owners also affect loyalty when they get rid of players who don't perform, but I still hold the athletes primarily responsible for the sad state of loyalty and legacy in professional sports today. It's not really the average-to-good players, who might be dealt or let go, that concern fans so much, anyway. It's the players who are great, and excel throughout practically all their career in one city about whom I am concerned. It's players like Brett Favre in Green Bay, Michael Jordan in Chicago or Tom Glavine in Atlanta that upset fans so much.

I do realize that it's a business and it is that particular athlete's own choice to do whatever he/she wants. I do realize that changing teams (especially to a rival) may even be good for football and non-Green Bay, generic NFL fans. But still it would be nice if we could see more loyalty. There are players like John Elway in Denver, Tony Gwynn in San Diego and Reggie Miller in Indiana; players who stick with a team no matter what. Good or bad. Potentially better contracts in the market or not. These players leave good memories and sentiments of love and appreciation when they retire. Growing up in Seattle I remember the feelings of respect and admiration for guys like Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez. They weren't even that incredible, but they were great in the eyes of Mariner fans. I have a sneaking suspicion they don't regret not taking more money elsewhere.

So, do I understand a little of the disappointment Packer fans feel? Yes. That being said, it is football. It is a sport. Sports are meant to entertain. They are ultimately meant to be fun. If they become more than that, it can be downright unhealthy and silly. If they are not fun, it's time to reevaluate. Fans take sports and themselves too seriously when they get visibly upset about such a trivial thing as Favre heading to the rival Vikings. Life is too short to let this get to you. There is far graver suffering going on in the world. I would be ashamed if a starving child with malaria saw me crying after the Mariners lost to the Yankees in the 2001 ALCS after winning 116 games in the regular season.

The appropriate reaction to all of this should be a, "Oh, well. That's a bummer. Let's show him a 'good time' when we play him," reaction. One that keeps the fun in sports.