Brett Favre is Disgustingly Overrated

Bob on 02 1, 2009

Brett Favre. To some, a hero; others regard him as a legend. You may hear that he is arguably one of the best quarterbacks to have graced a football field. However, few people dare to blurt out the forbidden ‘O’ word, that is, OVERRATED. Certainly his record of 269 consecutive starts(regular season), three(3) Most Valuable Player awards, a super bowl ring and a slew of other records are quite impressive, but does Brett Favre truly deserve to have his name mentioned in the same sentence as some of the all-time greats such as Dan Marino, Joe Montana, John Elway, Steve Young and Johnny Unitas? Absolutely not! Favre’s career football resume should not be anywhere near the vicinity of these all-time greats.

Favre’s ‘magical’ moments, brass-balls attitude and child-like style of play are admirable and enjoyable to watch. But contrary to what countless fans and analysts seem to accept as true, the attributes which Favre possesses do not make him a great QB.

Favre undoubtedly has played great football in his time, hence his 3 consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards (1995-97) and a Super Bowl win (1996), but the extent of #4’s greatness came to a screeching halt after his 3rd MVP season. Following the 1997 season, Favre has compiled a measly 3-7 playoff record. He single-handedly cost the Packers a trip to the Super Bowl last year by trying to complete his trademark (if it’s caught I’m a hero, if not, I’m still Brett Favre) ball. Don’t worry Green Bay, you weren’t the only team’s dreams he so nonchalantly shattered. The New York Jets essentially had a playoff spot secured at the Week 12 mark, boasting an impressive 8-3 record, but lackadaisical Favre managed to throw only 2 touchdown passes, along with 9 interceptions while amassing a 55.38 QB rating to lose 4 of their last 5, while all the Jets players could do was watch their washed up gray-bearded QB flush their season down the shitter. Do not let the name ‘Brett Favre’ fool you. The veteran gun slinger’s got great charisma and is fun to watch, but unfortunately, it has outweighed his actual play on the football field. If popularity measured greatness, Favre would be atop the list.

Take a look at these stats from this season and decide which player seems more deserving of a trip to the Pro Bowl:

Quarterback A – (4,009 pass yds., 34 TD, 11 INT, 105.5 passer rating) Led his team to the playoffs.
Quarterback B – (3,472 pass yds., 22 TD, 22 INT, 85.4 passer rating) Cost his team, which seemed to be a lock, a trip to the playoffs.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see who had a more respectable season. Quarterback A, Philip Rivers, was snubbed, while quarterback B, Favre, made his 10th career Pro Bowl(which we knew he wouldn’t participate in anyways.) Rivers got sloppy seconds on a roster spot in the Pro Bowl after Favre declined but passed…can’t blame him. I’m sorry; simply putting the name ‘Favre’ in front of those mediocre at best stats should by no means give him the upper hand. But that’s the story of Favre’s career, and it’s a god damn shame.

To the Brett Favre die-hards, this upcoming off-season, when Favre has you all on his puppet strings again awaiting his immense decision on whether to play in the NFL for another season or retire, maybe you should hope for the latter. It’s getting painful to watch.

Note to all professional athletes: It’s better to burn out than fade away.