Originally published Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Brett Favre says he is tempted to call the Packers' bluff and report to training camp next week
In TV interview, quarterback says he may call team's "bluff" by showing up at Green Bay's training camp, which begins July 27.
The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — Brett Favre says he's tempted to show up at the Green Bay Packers' training camp just to call the team's "bluff."
In the second part of an interview with Fox News, the 38-year-old quarterback said he knows his arrival in camp would cause a media circus, but that might not stop him. Packers players are scheduled to report July 27.
"It's tempting just to, as everyone said, you know, call their bluff or whatever," Favre said, according to an excerpt provided to The Associated Press. "I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there, whatever."
The interview on the show "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" was to be broadcast Tuesday night.
Favre, a three-time MVP, says he feels "a little bit" bad for would-be successor Aaron Rodgers and insists he doesn't want to be a distraction to his teammates. Or are they his former teammates?
"I like my teammates," Favre said. "I had a lot of fun with them. I have talked to numerous guys throughout this whole ordeal. I wish them the best, I really do. I hold nothing against those guys. We had a lot of fun together. We had, it was an amazing year last year. I don't want to make it any worse than it is."
And right now, it's pretty bad. Favre and the Packers appear headed toward a messy divorce after Favre demanded his release last week.
The decision blindsided the Packers.
"This is an ongoing situation," team spokesman Jeff Blumb said Tuesday evening. "We're working through it, and we're going to do the right thing."
Team officials have been careful not to criticize Favre, instead laying out a detailed timeline of their offseason dealings with him. The team hopes that fans would understand why the Packers wouldn't be willing to abandon their offseason plans with Rodgers just because Favre changed his mind.
After retiring in early March, Favre told the Packers he was having second thoughts and was ready to return a few weeks later. General manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy had made plans to take a private plane to Mississippi to seal the deal on Favre's comeback, only to have him change his mind again and stay retired.
Favre conceded that the latest in his long line of reversals on his football future has been tough on Rodgers, the Packers' first-round pick in 2005.
![]()
"The one thing in this, I do feel bad for Aaron a little bit," Favre said. "I think he'll do a fine job, to be totally honest with you, I do. He has been injured. I mean, the two injuries are not his fault. Couldn't control. I know this has been tough on him. I think he'll do a fine job. And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal."
That said, Favre doesn't seem inclined to take a back seat to Rodgers.
"We'll pay you $12 million, but you've got to hold the clipboard and ball cap?" Favre said. "That's probably better for them as opposed to letting me go somewhere and me coming back. Then their legacy, the management, would, you know ... be in jeopardy."
Thompson has said the Packers do not plan to grant Favre his release.
Thompson and McCarthy also have said they are concerned about Favre's legacy, but Favre said that's his problem, not theirs.
"You don't worry about my legacy," Favre said. "And, you know, it's a bunch of bull. It's all it is."
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Seahawks believe running game is picking up speed
NFL | Kansas City releases running back Larry Johnson
NFL | Steelers beat Denver, extend winning streak to 5
Seahawks overcome 17-0 deficit to win 32-20
Jerry Brewer: David Hawthorne a quick study filling in for Seahawks' injured Lofa Tatupu

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
259 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
247 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
173 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
101 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect








