Brett Favre is a Jet

The Brett Favre Green Bay era is over (again), he is now a New York Jet.

How low can a super star sink? A New York Jet? Become a coach, dude. Give Tiki Barber a call, I'm sure he can get you a job behind the microphone. Surely, I jest, there is dignity in all work. I am a firm believer in doing what is best for the family. If starting for the Jets will provide some solace for the Favre family, then Brett Favre already won his first game as a NY Jet and I wish him the best.

I didn't have to consult AC's knowledgeable sport's writer Michael Grisso to know that Favre is good news for the Jets. The Jets entered training camp with no established quarterback. Prior to Favre's signing, the Jet's pending quarterback controversy was arguably worse than the pending election this November. The Jets had to decide between Chad Pennington (1-7) and Kellen Clemens (3-5). Two mediocre candidates competing for the top spot, their records speak for themselves. Brett Favre may be the dark horse the NY Jets needed. September '08 will tell the tale.

As the events of the Brett Favre saga unfolded during the off-season, one couldn't help notice the soap opera like drama between ball player and Green Bay management. What emerged was a glimpse of our backward priorities and the stock Americans put in sports.

I must confess to twinges of nausea when I see grown men cry over playing ball or not playing ball. What's the lesson there? I begin to understand the amount of crying I see on the little league fields. Check out this entertaining article about crying in football and politics, writtenby AC writer H. Rox.

At least there's no crying in baseball. Or is there?

Joe Torre managed the NY Yankees with class and guided that team to record breaking wins, including four World Series titles, 12 consecutive years in the playoffs and a storied legacy that is worthy of a Hall of Fame induction. It was four years between World Series appearances and in an industry of what have you done for me lately, the Yankees skipper had his days numbered. After the 2007 season, Joe was offered a $5,000,000 one-year contract and $1,000,000 bonuses as incentives and a big fat option if they made it to the World Series, they didn't have to win just get there.

That contract would have continued Mr. Torre's distinction as being the highest paid manager in the game. The rub? The offered contract represented a pay cut, and benchmarks motivating success. The Yankees position was simple; all we care about is the W and we want to motivate you to do just that, if not tell your story walking. Joe walked. He walked all the way to LA and into a three-year manager's contract valued at $13 million.

New York was up in arms over the treatment Joe Torre received. Granted it doesn't take much to rile city folk, but the crying was unbelievable. It could be successfully argued that George Steinbrenner was disloyal. Was there any doubt about his ruthlessness? This never slowed the avid fans and millions continued to pour in and so it goes. Joe who?

The game is bigger than the individual.

Remember that voters, before you pull the lever solely because your guy has a (D) or a (R) next to his name. Are you voting for your guy because you want your team to win, or are you voting in a manner that is best for the nation?

I cringe whenever I hear a kid claim one of the ball players as a hero. Sports is indeed awesome, but a tight spiral doesn't save a life.

Yeah, it sucks that Brett Favre is not a Packer any longer, and it's pretty cool that he's going to show up this season in a number 4 Jet jersey. But a meet and greet with the Mayor? A presentation of a Broadway street sign? Before the first completion is made, we are calling him Broadway Brett. Man do we love catch phrases and stars.

It would have been a huge loss if Brett Favre and Joe Torre actually retired. A bigger loss would have been my kid's third grade teacher retiring, if General Petraeus retired from the battlefield.

Want to know what a travesty is? Green Bay asking Brett Favre to show up as a backup? No, Mayor Bloomberg withholding raises for NYC cops for four-years, while stashing millions away in a slush fund. NYC Police Officers are currently working without a contract. Joe who?

Hey Mayor, how about giving the Cop who patrols Broadway and 125th St. that sign?

Come on crybaby millionaires, shut up and play ball already. There are heroes coming back into the firehouse and will like to be entertained by your talent, before the next alarm goes off.