The Anguish is Real

The anguish Brett Favre fans are feeling is real.

I don't quite understand all of the emotions involved, but I'm doing my best to put it in perspective.

I loved Steve McNair the football player. When he was forced out of Tennessee and became a Raven, I wasn't nearly as upset as I thought I would be. Yeah, the Ravens were a rival, but it wasn't McNair's fault. He played for the Ravens for two years, and after he retired, he was immediately re-immersed into the Titans.

I think when Favre finally does call it quits, Packer fans will welcome him back. I don't think it will be as easy as it was with McNair, but eventually most Green Bay cheeseheads will clap again for Favre.

I've done a sports talk show at KUCA for the past two years. Our most loyal listener is a tremendous Packer fan, and she loves Brett Favre. I called her as soon as I heard the news yesterday. She felt betrayed, and she has every right to feel that way. I saw this morning that another fan buried her Favre jersey when she found out he was going to the Vikings.

The anguish is real. I don't blame fans for how they are reacting. I don't completely understand it, but I'm not going to say their pain isn't real. For me, it would be like Derek Jeter joining the Red Sox. If that happened, I would understand the anguish.

So before you make fun of your Favre friends or laugh at their seemingly ridiculous behavior, think about the one player that is your absolute favorite. Then imagine that player leaving your team and joining one of its biggest rivals.

It sucks. The whole thing does.

I'm not going to lie. I'm not a Packers fan, but I'll smile if Green Bay puts it on Minnesota in Week 4.

And personally, I hope they do.