Kelly to Favre: Let's Hunt
Posted on: Friday, 18 July 2008, 21:00 CDT
By Bucky Gleason
Jim Kelly left a voice mail for Brett Favre about a month ago, before the ugly mess began between the Green Bay Packers and their vacillating quarterback. Both quarterbacks are avid outdoorsmen, and Kelly was planning a hunting trip for later this year. He figured some quality time in the woods might ease Favre into life after football.
Kelly certainly appreciated Favre's heartache after he announced his retirement in March. Kelly and Favre are wired up much the same way, foremost as fierce competitors. It didn't matter if they were playing in the Super Bowl or a game of rock-paper-scissors. Both had an intense desire to compete and were hooked on winning.
There was a sense Kelly would leave football kicking and screaming or, worse, horizontally before the Bills forced his hand after the 1996 season, ensuring his exit with grace. And he understood leaving the game wouldn't be easy for Favre.
"It's hard to walk away from the game because you've been playing it ever since you were a little kid," Kelly said Thursday during a break from his annual football camp. "It's something that's in your blood. You lived it every single day of your life. It was hard at the beginning, but just the beginning."
Kelly spent 11 years in the NFL, led the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances and the best days in franchise history. He came to admire the organization that made him a first-round draft pick, built a successful team around him, paid him a boatload of money and eventually helped him get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But if you remember, the end wasn't so tidy. Kelly had a series of concussions that threatened his long-term health if he continued playing. The Bills clearly were intent on starting Todd Collins, as ridiculous as it sounds now, and Kelly knew he couldn't stomach being a backup. The Bills eventually gave him a $1 million retirement bonus, and he became a lifetime ambassador.
Kelly could have caused a major stir, but he departed on good terms and made Western New York his home. Ten years later, he still has a terrific relationship with the organization and a strong bond with this community.
"I remember the day they opened training camp [in 1998], I was golfing," Kelly said. "I was on the first tee box when somebody asked me, 'Wouldn't you like to be at training camp right now?'I looked down and had a margarita in my left hand and my driver on my right hand. I said, 'Naaah. I think I made the right decision.' "
Favre in recent weeks has done nothing but tarnish his image and damage his relationship with the Packers. It's a shame for the greatest quarterback in team history and sure Hall of Famer. He was revered for his class and competitiveness before his self-serving act turned the Packers into a circus.
"The one thing I don't understand is that he's won it all," Kelly said. "He's won the Super Bowl. He's won the MVP a couple times, broken all the records."
Translation: He has nothing to prove. The Packers have made it clear that three-year apprentice Aaron Rodgers will open training camp as the starter. They have no plans to release or trade Favre. The latest had Green Bay accusing Minnesota of tampering, which makes you wonder if Favre was sneaking behind their backs for personal gain.
Favre is down to a couple options. He can report to training camp and battle for the starting job. A better one would be sticking to his retirement plans and returning Kelly's call. He just might find that there's life after football.
"I'll always consider Brett a very good friend," Kelly said. "I wish him the best. But when he's ready to retire, my rifle is waiting for him. I'm going hunting whether he's with me or not."
e-mail: bgleason@buffnews.com
Originally published by NEWS SPORTS REPORTER.
(c) 2008 Buffalo News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Buffalo News
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