My Aaron Rodgers Blog

While Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said that Brett Favre can come back to the organization, he has said that Favre will not be the starting quarterback.

What?!

It is understandable that the Packers are getting restless with Favre's retirement-then-unretirement saga every season, but at the same time, how can you deny one of the greatest quarterbacks in history the chance to come back and lead the team that he helped build over the last two decades.

First off, the NFL needs him. Favre's infectious passion for the game and pictures of him picking up snowballs and launching them after throwing touchdowns has kept fans entrenched in a time when arrests, scandals and even deaths have rocked the game.

Second, the fans need him. Partially for reasons above, but let's look at them more in-depth. Favre is the face of 75 percent of America. His five-o-clock shadow and blue-collar attitude builds an invaluable connection with the rest of the United States.

He isn't advertising with Nike or Under Armour; his endorsement deals include John Deere and Wrangler. He could probably sign endorsement deals with bigger money partners, but he stays true to himself and what he is.

Such a connection with the American public has lifted the game immeasurably. In recent years, athletes have been put on such high pedestals that they've actually been dehumanized - much like today's celebrities.

However, in the Favre folklore, there is nothing more human than a guy that had to endure his father's passing and go to work a couple of days later.

Oh by the way, it just so happened to be Monday Night Football and it just so happened to be one of the most masterful quarterback performances in the history of the game.

And third, the Green Bay Packers damn sure need Favre to be worth anything. If Thompson says that an unproven Aaron Rodgers is the starter over a man that took a half-talent, low-budget team and turned them into a world champion, he is smoking a hell of a lot more than Wisconsin cheddar.

If Favre decides to come back, it would not only be unfair to Favre to be holding Rodgers' clipboard, it would be unfair to Rodgers to put that type of pressure on Rodgers.

For once, something involving an NFL decision goes beyond the dollars-and-cents reasoning. It would simply be better for the game if Brett Favre is the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers in 2008.

John Burbar is a featured writer for Sportsfananza.com. Sportsfananza is the a leading online news and video sharing site for sports fans to share information, ideas and provides sports fans with a voice. Members of Sportsfananza can post user-generated sports videos and sports articles (blogs) about any sports topic.