Mike T’s Newsletter 7/24

Earned my right to Boo!

Am I wrong to act the fool when a player on my beloved team decides to go the cross town rival? Is it childish to expect a player to love my team as much as I do? Is it a lofty dream to expect a player will live and die to the tune of the colors of my favorite team’s jersey forever? It isn't unreasonable to want players on your team to have undying loyalty, but it is unrealistic.
The sobering reality is that players are going to follow the money and/or opportunity. This thought came to mind of seeing a chance of the ceremonial return of Brett Favre to Lambeau Field coming soon. Brett Favre had disputes with management/ownership with the Green Bay Packers, which led him to retire unceremoniously. Only to return to two other teams and ending his career playing with a hated inner divisional rival the Minnesota Vikings where he led them to a somewhat successful playoff run.
The day will come when the Packers will want to honor Favre for his 16 seasons with them which included a victory in Superbowl XXXI.
Favre says he doesn't care if he gets booed, that he is impervious to whatever negative reaction might be elicited when he steps back on the Frozen Tundra. I say what would one expect? People spend time, money, and energy and are life long devoted fans. Understanding this is still a business, it still hurts to know a player will put his name on another jersey, worst of all a longtime hated rival all in the name of money etc.
Keeping this in mind, as much as he has earned the right to be honored, I think I have invested enough over the years to yell and boo and "act the fool". So as naive and childish as it may sound, fans understand loyalty…players and teams understand finances, and you can't fault either for sound business practices, but you can't fault me for hating it and the right to expressing it even as a boo bird!