When Is A Bribe Not A Bribe? » Brats & Beer

July 31, 2008
posted under: Brett Favre, retirement

When it’s a job.

Tom Silverstein reports at the JS Packers Blog that the $20 million payoff idea was actually a scheme proposed to Favre back in March that would pay No. 4 to make public appearances and take part in team marketing events. According to Silverstein, the Dolphins did something similar with Marino when he retired.

Bigger twist: Favre appears to be thinking seriously about accepting the deal. Ed Werder on ESPN got a text message from Favre saying in effect that it might be the best outcome. He also said he still wants to play football and if he can’t play for the Packers he wants to play against them, which doesn’t sound like the sort of thing your future goodwill ambasador should be saying, but we’ll see how this plays out.

UPDATE: Jason Wilde has more on this.

UPDATE 2: ESPN has finally published something on this (video is here). Here’s the text message Favre sent:

There isn’t a perfect solution to this, but Mark Murphy is at least trying. We know what they want and where I stand. His solution, although awkward and unsettling for most, may be the best in the end.

My intentions have been to play, and with Green Bay. They say no, so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won’t let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you. That’s where I am.