Brett Shows No Signs Either Way; ESPN Still Celebrates His Career

The title could be a tweet.

Brett Favre's not retiring...but he's not saying if he's coming back either. It depends on his health and everyone in the universe should know that. But, no. All media outlets had to jump the gun on this because of sources saying that Favre had contacted Vikings personnel to inform them he would not return.

Were Brad Childress and Zigi Wulf among those contacted? Not that we know of. In fact, Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, also a teammate of Favre's in Green Bay, said he head been in contact with Favre yesterday and Brett gave no indication that he was retiring.

So the cycle began with ZERO confirmation. Neither Favre nor the Vikings would confirm the report. It wasn't until earlier today that Favre was finally cornered by his "spokesperson" Ed Werder that some type of statement was made. Farve will be coming back...if he's healthy.

Please, stop taking the public for being such idiots. Like everyone already knew that crap. But we had to hear Brett say it, I suppose. Brett will make his decision when Brett is ready. Let this go.

Who's always the first to jump on this kind of headline? ESPN, naturally. And they did it in grand style. Yes, the World Wide Leader predictably revamped programming on ESPN2. Almost every Brett Favre highlight imaginable was aired. ESPN2 was all Brett, all the time, or FavreCenter, if you will.

FirstTake even extended its airtime instead of merely running a repeat of the show's first two hours. Great. Now we have to listen to Robb Parker droll on and on about this. Well, about anything for that matter. Eric Kuselias, I can handle. I actually missed Skip Bayless yesterday. I would have loved to hear just one minute of his ranting against Parker's point of view.

And, no, I don't want to see the result of a SportsNation poll asking if the "Nation" believes if Favre is going to retire. (And don't even get me started on that show! That would be an extended post in itself! I do feel sorry for Beedle.). The only opinion that matters is Favre's.

NFL Live with Suzy Kolber, Mike Golic and Merrill Hoge devoted the whole half an hour to it. And I had the feeling all three were kind of cringing about the subject matter.

Vikes head honcho Brad Childress said he wants to hear the words "from the horse's mouth". And even if we hear the words "I'm going to retire" from Favre, I still won't fully believe it. Why should we? He's retired and retired before. This whole deal is like Jason, Freddy Kruger, Leatherface and Jigsaw all wrapped into one. They just won't go away and they cannot be offed.

And neither will ESPN's complete wiping of Favre's ego...and other parts.