Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 08:07:26 AM
Yeah, I can see the controversy, but I like it. Go Brett!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 09:05:27 AM
To be fair, Packer fans are the only fans of a professional sports team who enjoy when their team wins.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 2 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 09:22:42 AM
Also, I didn't read the whole thing, but hasn't this article been written like 7 trillion times? Is there a Brett Favre Microsoft Word template? Does "clippy" pop up and say I see you're writing an article about Brett Farve. Would you like to: [Insert section about pain killers] [Insert section pretending like Brett is the only player to ever lose a close family member and still manage to return to the football field within 3 seasons] [Insert section about various other hardships that have been beaten to death already] [Insert section about how Brett's aloof standoffish attitude toward fans is a good thing (He doesn't interact with people, but because he's that down to earth.)] [Insert mention of start streak (Optional: Qualify that it's the record for Quarterbacks, not over all)] When you spell/grammar check these articles does a thing pop up and say "Well the spelling and grammar checked out, but you didn't mention his 3 MVP's or his childlike love of the game." Fake edit: I apologize in advance for this egregious personal shot at Brett Favre and all his loved ones. This rant was after all not a commentary on the media, but a shot directly at the Favre family, especially at Brett's infant niece.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 4 times.
Jeremy screwed with this 2 times, last at 12/04/2007 9:24:01 am

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 09:37:04 AM
Here is a question for anyone- Have you ever been on heavy duty painkillers? Yes? Then you know how addictive they can be. No? See what I just said. I took vicodin twice for a broken finger. Imagine that. My broken finger vs a football player's broken body. Then talk about taking painkillers.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Carlos44ec messed with this at 12/04/2007 9:37:17 am

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 09:43:21 AM
And it begins.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	PackOne - From your first cigarette to your last dyin' day. 12/04/2007 @ 11:34:33 AM
Favre = The Man		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue. 12/04/2007 @ 11:45:08 AM
The really rediculous thing is that Favre has never been named Sportsman of the Year. Tom Brady was given the honor, and not that he wasn't deserving, but until this year he hasn't had a year like any of Favre's MVP years. But no one would complain about Favre having not gotten it. Cal Ripken Jr. won the award in 1995, basically as a testiment to his achievements, specifically his consecutive games streak. The Dolphins finished 1993 9-7, yet Don Shula won the award as well. Unbelievable. I can't believe they would away a guy this honor, inspite of the fact that he is the winningest NFL coach of all time, during a year in which his team barely finished above .500 If these two examples sound a little sarcastic, they should. Ripkin and Shula deserved the honor, and so does Favre. In the last 12 months, Favre has broken the Touchdown record, the career completions record, the record for wins by an NFL quarterback, (sure, the INT record), and continues his streak. Unless you guys start complaining about any of the other past winners and how and why they were awarded, this is nothing more than another "The media is rediculous when it comes to Favre" rant by people who are simply more or less sick of hearing about the guy. Explain to me why it is ridiculous that Favre was given this honor? Look at the past winners and tell me that Brett Favre is undeserving, even at this stage of his career. Say what you will about the story being the same story we've heard for years. There's no doubt that sports writers like bringing things up over and over again if they know that the've worked in the past. But come on, we're all more intelligent than that.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 11:46:49 AM
On a more interesting note, this is the 2nd straight year that the Sportsman of the Year award was given to someone with Wisconsin ties. (Dwyane Wade last year, Marquette University)		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Scott - If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it. 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:02 PM
...And to be honest, this article is not the typical article which Jeremy describes. It's not really a "gush-fest", but more a mini-biography. It might even be worth the read. I'm on page 3 and I already have learned somethings I didn't know.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:13 PM
I couldn't care less about this award or who gets it, until this was posted I never knew there even was such a thing. Is it always a career achievement award given out under the guise of being all about a specific year? Also, as far as you know, Matt wasn't actually complaining about Favre getting it either (though I'm sure you could make many arguments for other people).		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - If you got a problem ... yo i'll solve it. 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:52 PM
HEY JEREMY - Can you find the nutcan debate thread that involved your idea that people should be able to put into their bodies whatever they choose? I could use it for something.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - I hate our freedoms 12/04/2007 @ 12:04:49 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:02 PM ...And to be honest, this article is not the typical article which Jeremy describes. It's not really a "gush-fest", but more a mini-biography. It might even be worth the read. I'm on page 3 and I already have learned somethings I didn't know. Two or three new facts, like the fact that he has a dog named Charlie, sprinkled into an article that didn't miss anything off the Brett Favre talking point checklist is still an article that follows the checklist.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:08:36 PM
PackOne Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:52 PM HEY JEREMY - Can you find the nutcan debate thread that involved your idea that people should be able to put into their bodies whatever they choose? I could use it for something. Do you remember more about it? Anything specific? I don't remember what you're talking about.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:10:24 PM
I never knew he was so involved with special education. I also wasn't really aware of his Fourward Foundation. the list of winners. I there seems to be a number of different criteria depending on the year. Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire won it the year they chased the Home run record. Tiger Woods won it the year he won 3 of the 4 majors. And then there a guys like Dean Smith, Don Shula, and Cal Ripken Jr. who received the award based on some career achievement. Also, they seem to put a fair amount of emphasis on what the athlete has done off the field as well as on the field.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:14:08 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:08:36 PM PackOne Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:01:52 PM HEY JEREMY - Can you find the nutcan debate thread that involved your idea that people should be able to put into their bodies whatever they choose? I could use it for something. Do you remember more about it? Anything specific? I don't remember what you're talking about. No I don't. I just remember a long drawn out discussion. It's possible it was a different forum. I'll keep looking.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:15:09 PM
I see the shameless "someone made joke that could be misconstrued as anti-packer if you read it upside-down and squinted, so I have to give it a 0" nutties are out.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:16:52 PM
I just thought they were both dumb comments, specically the one about Packer fans being the only ones who enjoy when their team wins. That's right, they were from me. It's like, can a writer not even talk about the fact that a team's fans like seeing them win without it being misconstrued as only that team likes seeing them win? The 0 nut on that comment had nothing to do with it being about the Packers. I can never just let things be, can I?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott edited this at 12/04/2007 12:21:53 pm

	Matt - 3941 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 12:30:22 PM
To be honest, I kind of forgot about the whole TD record thing for Favre, but in a way that kind of makes my point. When you mentioned Ripken, Shula, and Dean Smith I was able to quickly figure out why they "won" the award, but with Favre I forgot and we're still in the same year.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - Cube Phenomenoligist 12/04/2007 @ 01:14:34 PM
The implication, or specific statement, that Packer fans are a "special breed" is laced into virtually every mention of them in the media. Edit: Also, since the gauntlet is down, I don't know what other way to take "There is no happier place than Green Bay, Wis., on a Sunday evening after the Packers have won." if it's not that Packer fans enjoy their team winning more than other fans of other teams enjoy their wins.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this 2 times, last at 12/04/2007 1:29:02 pm

	Sarah - 4671 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 01:19:24 PM
We are awesome-o. Hurray for Favre!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 02:21:36 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:16:52 PM I can never just let things be, can I? Instagator!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 04:24:18 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 01:14:34 PM The implication, or specific statement, that Packer fans are a "special breed" is laced into virtually every mention of them in the media. Edit: Also, since the gauntlet is down, I don't know what other way to take "There is no happier place than Green Bay, Wis., on a Sunday evening after the Packers have won." if it's not that Packer fans enjoy their team winning more than other fans of other teams enjoy their wins. I think that's how everyone views the "small town" of Green Bay. Because there are so few people in the town (yup, 100,000 people is apparently tiny, even though it is more than 10 times the size of my home town), the percentage of people in the town that care about the team's victory must be much higher than say New York where there are millions. I think that when writers write about Green Bay, they picture a village of about 2,000 people where everyone works at the same factory and attend the same church. Clearly a fairly mystical view, not necessarily accurate. edit: in other words, Green Bay is the new Mudville.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott perfected this at 12/04/2007 4:35:20 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 04:33:08 PM
Matt Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:30:22 PM To be honest, I kind of forgot about the whole TD record thing for Favre, but in a way that kind of makes my point. When you mentioned Ripken, Shula, and Dean Smith I was able to quickly figure out why they "won" the award, but with Favre I forgot and we're still in the same year. Favre is overhyped, yet you somehow forgot that Favre broke the TD record against the vikings no less? Here's an interesting, yet unrelated factoid: In the 2007 NFL season, there have been a number of records broken. Favre passed Marino on the career touchdown list. Adrian Peterson set the single game rushing record. And Antonio Cromartie returned a fieldgoal for 109 yards and set the record for longest play in NFL history. What do these all have in common? They all took place in the Metrodome.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - Pie Racist 12/04/2007 @ 05:22:57 PM
I think we can all agree that the basis that anyone should be judged on regarding any accolades they might be getting is whether or not Matt remembers their accomplishment off the top of his head. He is the MBL/Ombudsman.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 3 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 05:23:21 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 04:33:08 PM Here's an interesting, yet unrelated factoid: In the 2007 NFL season, there have been a number of records broken. Favre passed Marino on the career touchdown list. Adrian Peterson set the single game rushing record. And Antonio Cromartie returned a fieldgoal for 109 yards and set the record for longest play in NFL history. What do these all have in common? They all took place in the Metrodome. I saw them all too. Edit: And we aren't talking lame "records" either. Like "Most 3rd quarter passing yards coming off a monday night game your team lost by more then 15 points" and the other "records" that seem to come up every game. Those are 3 pretty prestigious records.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jeremy perfected this at 12/04/2007 5:34:04 pm

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 12/04/2007 @ 06:45:27 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 04:33:08 PM Matt Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 12:30:22 PM To be honest, I kind of forgot about the whole TD record thing for Favre, but in a way that kind of makes my point. When you mentioned Ripken, Shula, and Dean Smith I was able to quickly figure out why they "won" the award, but with Favre I forgot and we're still in the same year. Favre is overhyped, yet you somehow forgot that Favre broke the TD record against the vikings no less? Here's an interesting, yet unrelated factoid: In the 2007 NFL season, there have been a number of records broken. Favre passed Marino on the career touchdown list. Adrian Peterson set the single game rushing record. And Antonio Cromartie returned a fieldgoal for 109 yards and set the record for longest play in NFL history. What do these all have in common? They all took place in the Metrodome. Everything on earth has happened in the Metrodome, that ancient pile of 'insert animal here' feces.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.
PackOne screwed with this at 12/04/2007 6:59:44 pm

	Jfk10intex - 229 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 03:06:08 PM
Favre deserves this.... i didnt read all the comments but.... yea.... he deserved this he is playing like really awesome and he is an old man.... thats just AMAZING!!!!!!!!=D		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Jeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?" 12/05/2007 @ 03:34:42 PM
PackOne Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 06:45:27 PM Everything on earth has happened in the Metrodome, that ancient pile of 'insert animal here' feces. That makes no sense. Jfk10intex Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 03:06:08 PM Favre deserves this.... i didnt read all the comments but.... yea.... he deserved this he is playing like really awesome and he is an old man.... thats just AMAZING!!!!!!!!=D that makes.....know......sence....either. Unless the award is always given out on a Age*productivity basis. It would be lame if this was just given to him because he happened to break a career long record this year, but the precedent has been set in the past on doing just that, and he's having a good (but not the best) year at QB this year to boot. Now, that being said, if he gets the MVP award there will be rioting in the streets.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - Washington Bureau Chief 12/05/2007 @ 03:45:42 PM
I meant to post this earlier, but the Associated Press Athlete of the Year List seems to be based much more on achievements within the applicable year.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Matt edited this at 12/05/2007 3:45:58 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 03:54:38 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 05:22:57 PM I think we can all agree that the basis that anyone should be judged on regarding any accolades they might be getting is whether or not Matt remembers their accomplishment off the top of his head. He is the MBL/Ombudsman. Even Melissa laughed at this one.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 03:57:42 PM
Ha, tell her Happy Birthday (though I think it's Friday)		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - On your mark...get set...Terrible! 12/05/2007 @ 04:11:41 PM
Matt Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 03:45:42 PM I meant to post this earlier, but the Associated Press Athlete of the Year List seems to be based much more on achievements within the applicable year. 2 things about this list: 1)There are way more baseball players than football players. This might be because by the time the NFL was established baseball was already well under way, but I thought it was interesting, as there are only 3 football players on the list, and 20 some baseball players (and in the last 15 years it is baseball 3 football 0). 2)George "Give it away" Blanda made the list. The guy who is now only the 2nd best player all time at throwing the ball to the wrong jersey was once named AP athlete of the year. Also, I see a notable difference between "athlete" and "sportsman" for which both award-givers are justified in doing so. The AP award makes sense that it is given on a yearly achievement record, not so much based on anything outside of the current year (although some exception have been made, ie Cal Ripken had an average year at best the year he finally broke Lou Gehrig's record). The fact that Michael Jordan won the for three straight years and Lance Armstrong won the award four straight years is fitting as they clearly were in a different league. In terms of "sportsman", the award seems to consider a bit what an athlete has done off the field as well, along with what the athlete has done for the sport itself. It also is an interesting note that the SI award has never been awarded to the same person twice, which could just as much be a case of them trying to sell their magazine.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 04:17:17 PM
I don't know how I feel about awards going to, or avoiding going to, the same person multiple times. On one hand you don't want it to go to one person for a decade, on the other hand it's sort of lame and patronizing to give an award to 3rd place because #1 and #2 have won already.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - 3941 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 04:30:19 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 04:11:41 PM 2 things about this list: 1)There are way more baseball players than football players. This might be because by the time the NFL was established baseball was already well under way, but I thought it was interesting, as there are only 3 football players on the list, and 20 some baseball players (and in the last 15 years it is baseball 3 football 0). Well, from 1939 to 1955 they honored 8 College Football players. While I don't know for sure, I think the College game was probably "bigger" than pro football back then, so you should count them too.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Matt messed with this 2 times, last at 12/05/2007 6:53:44 pm

	Matt - Ombudsman 12/05/2007 @ 06:31:02 PM
		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - 3619 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 07:14:50 PM
I really couldn't care less about either of these awards, but I liked the Favre article. For those who don't think Favre should have been given the award, who would you have voted for?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - Ombudsman 12/05/2007 @ 07:44:22 PM
As I said before, I forgot about the TD record, so picking Favre is a little more credible to me than when I posted this, but I still think it's the wrong choice. I probably would have voted for Roger Federer. Honorable Mention (in no particular order): Alex Rodriguez Peyton Manning Tom Brady Bill Belichick Tim Duncan Billy Donovan I'm sure I'm missing some other good candidates, but I'll leave it there. I would also say that Favre would fit in to the group of my Honorable Mentions, and would probably be near the top. I just don't think that the TD record is big enough to get it done, and I'm not too big on the "Lifetime achievement" point of view.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.
Matt messed with this 3 times, last at 12/05/2007 8:46:38 pm

	Scott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone! 12/05/2007 @ 08:11:57 PM
Nobody likes Tennis Bill Belichick is a big cheater Alex Rodriguez sucks in the playoffs Tom Brady is a big baby Billy Donovan is the suckiest suck that ever sucked Who's Tim Duncan? And Peyton Manning has sold his soul to one too many endorsement deals		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 08:19:54 PM
Most of that comment was a joke, but in seriousness, awarding Bill Belichick something like this would be a PR disaster for SI. Even if nothing ever more is made of the spy-gate thing, Belichick is currently, if not only temporarily tainted.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott messed with this at 12/05/2007 8:26:47 pm

	Alex - 3619 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 08:30:16 PM
Despite the jokingness of the list, some of those actually are good points. Donovan had the whole "I'm going to coach in the NBA...or not", Rodriguez had the contract situation, etc. Tim Duncan would be my favorite from that list. I really think Favre is a good pick though. His current QB rating would be second best of his 3-MVP career and despite being career records he is breaking many rather prestigious records THIS year. It certainly makes more sense to recognize those records now than any other year of his career.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/05/2007 @ 10:36:41 PM
Although when listing reasons why someone doesn't deserve an award over Favre you might want to leave "sucks in the playoffs" off the list.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/06/2007 @ 08:20:14 AM
How good are the Vikings in the playoffs? the Championship game?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - Ma'am, can you make sure your computer is turned on? 12/06/2007 @ 12:12:33 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 10:36:41 PM Although when listing reasons why someone doesn't deserve an award over Favre you might want to leave "sucks in the playoffs" off the list. Favre has more titles than Rodriguez, for one thing. And other than maybe 2, possibly 3 games (all of which came in hist last 7 playoff games), I hardly think Favre can be labled a guy who "sucks in the playoffs". I stand by my comment about rodriguez. (although I figured that comment was coming from Jeremy, which is kind of why I put it in.)		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott screwed with this at 12/06/2007 12:13:34 pm

	Jeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?" 12/06/2007 @ 01:29:26 PM
Well, the thing about A-Rod is he supposedly doesn't perform to his usual other-worldly standards in the playoffs. If you were to list the 10 most dismal days a quarterback has ever had in the NFL postseason you would probably see Favre playoff games in there 2-3 times. A-Rod might not hit 5 homers in every playoff series, but he's never struck out 10 at bats in a row with 9 fielding errors either. Favre has legitimately stunk up the joint in the playoffs. It was a joke anyways.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - Knuckle Sammich 12/06/2007 @ 02:33:57 PM
Carlos44ec Wrote - 12/06/2007 @ 08:20:14 AM How good are the Vikings in the playoffs? the Championship game? Well?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/06/2007 @ 02:38:05 PM
Carlos44ec Wrote - 12/06/2007 @ 02:33:57 PM Carlos44ec Wrote - 12/06/2007 @ 08:20:14 AM How good are the Vikings in the playoffs? the Championship game? Well? Well what? I'm not even sure what you're asking.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Scott - Resident Tech Support 12/08/2007 @ 05:52:20 PM
I bought my copy. It'll don the mantle in the Matson household for quite some time. Well, maybe it will when I get a mantle.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - So's your face 12/09/2007 @ 10:14:12 AM
I bought mine in the Atlanta airport, and reread the article. It will probably be framed and put in our Packer/Viking room whenever we decide to finish our basement.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 1 bajillion posts 12/09/2007 @ 10:15:53 AM
I heard this news when it came out this week and knew this site would be a hotbed for discussion. I haven't been able to hit it up until now, which I'm fine with since I see it has lived up to, or down to, everything I knew it could be in just about every way. Anyway, I'll try to remember my thoughts from earlier this week and also respond to a few comments that have been made. Some thoughts will accomplish both things! I wouldn't probably have given it to Favre if I personally gave out the award. I probably wouldn't feel the need to question it one bit if it were a player from one of my teams, so I admit there's reason to take my questioning with a grain of salt (just as we have to take Packer fans' defense of it). Scott Wrote - 12/04/2007 @ 11:45:08 AM Unless you guys start complaining about any of the other past winners and how and why they were awarded, this is nothing more than another "The media is rediculous when it comes to Favre" rant by people who are simply more or less sick of hearing about the guy. Luckily for me, I have complained about past winners. In 1999 when most of the world still didn't know who Lance Armstrong was, he came back from cancer and won a race most people didn't know of, the Tour de France. Maybe I'm tooting my own horn here, but I took notice because I remembered when he was diagnosed, and I determined that he should be the Sportsman of the Year. They gave it to the USA women's soccer team for winning a world cup. Great accomplishment, but I remember discussing with Matt back then how they were favored to win that event. Some people may not know this, but Lance Armstrong wasn't "favored" to even live. So, yeah I've complained in the past, so I've passed the test. Of course, as I've grown older, I've come to look at these awards (and for that matter, most awards in general) as little more than novelties. Sure it's an honor to win them, but what's the criteria?, who decides them? why do they pick who they do? what does it matter anyway? The answers are usually pretty disappointing and so, like Alex, I don't care much about the actual awards. This I'm sure will be taken as a cheap shot, but let's all be honest, magazine sales play into this award. How much? I don't know, but they are a business after all, so I think Sports Illustrated will use such criteria as a tiebreaker at least. Favre is deserving of such accolades regardless, but the fact that he's a popularity phenomenon doesn't hurt. The sportswriter's guild alone will probably buy up all remaining issues of the magazine in order to have something to roll around naked in. (I'm sorry, I'm losing credibility with comments like those, I'll try to stop.) Anyway, don't you think picking the USA women's soccer team led to more sales than a not-yet-famous cyclist would have? I doubt that's the entire reason they chose the team, but I bet it factored in. Jokingly or not, we've kind of acknowledged this factor already: Scott Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 08:11:57 PM Nobody likes Tennis Scott Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 08:19:54 PM Most of that comment was a joke, but in seriousness, awarding Bill Belichick something like this would be a PR disaster for SI. Even if nothing ever more is made of the spy-gate thing, Belichick is currently, if not only temporarily tainted. PR disaster? Nobody likes tennis? so popularity of the athlete and image of the magazine do play into it? Again, I think Favre is as deserving as just about anyone, but if we're dissecting this award, (which we are), let's mention that this plays a part. It's not a knock on Favre though. Read that last sentence again if you cheer for the Packers. Alex Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 07:14:50 PM For those who don't think Favre should have been given the award, who would you have voted for? I asked myself this question before hearing any other discussion about it. Here's who I came up with at the time, and I think it still holds up: Billy Donovan. Somewhat a representation of his team overall, who I concluded also would be a good choice for the award, but who better to represent the team than him, the coach? He led his team to back to back titles, which hasn't been done in about 15 years, and may not be done for many more. His team played absolutely brilliantly, displaying another level of teamwork and quality basketball compared to any other team in the country, and they did it in what is arguably the most popular sporting event in the country. If you're a sucker for this type of thing, you can throw in that he stayed at Florida rather than go to the NBA, but I'm not going to say this was inherently a morally good decision or not, even though some probably would. I also think LeBron would have been a decent choice. His playoff performance was on par with any great performance on the year at the very least. (And on par with Wade's from last year.) And they probably don't put much weight on early regular season, but he started out this year in MVP form. You could give it to Federer any of the past 5 years, though they'll probably wait until he breaks Sampras' record if he does. People can dismiss his worthiness because they don't pay attention to tennis, but I wouldn't dismiss what Gretzky or Lemieux have done just because people don't like hockey at the moment. That's the level Federer plays at. He's got a Michael Jordan like quality to how he wins. Barry Bonds. Broke a bigger record than Favre did. Also, You know Time magazine's Person of the Year issue? They've bastardized it in recent years I think, but it was a title, from what I've heard, given to whomever they felt made the biggest impact/news in a given year. Good or bad. I kind of think this would have been a better issue for SI. Can you imagine a three person cover of Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, and Tim Donaghy? This was the perfect year for it. I know this isn't what Sports Illustrated is doing, but imagine if it was.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 2 times.

	Alex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose 12/09/2007 @ 10:33:11 AM
Donovan would be ok, and since Barry has never won I'd be fine with him too. LeBron's regular season was less than inspiring at times, so no love there. Plus he can have a better season yet and win it some other year.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/09/2007 @ 04:57:53 PM
Scott Wrote - 12/05/2007 @ 04:11:41 PM It also is an interesting note that the SI award has never been awarded to the same person twice, which could just as much be a case of them trying to sell their magazine. Jon, I did mention this, even if just as an off-hand remark. I won't deny that part of it was something to sell on the newstands. And I also found no "ill-Packerness" in Jon's comment. Nothing that I really even disagreed with.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott perfected this at 12/09/2007 4:59:40 pm

	Jon - 1 bajillion posts 12/20/2007 @ 04:28:24 PM
Favre overlooked again. Time named someone else as person of the year. (The last paragraph on that page explains the nature of the title) Though he didn't ask for any insight, Brett Favre was offered this constructive criticism from the man who edged him out. "Я использовал бы 2 мешка" edit: stupid computers. it shows up exactly how I want it and then it switches to garbage. maybe I'll find some way to fix it. edit: quote.doc		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 2 times.
Jon screwed with this 5 times, last at 12/20/2007 4:43:41 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 04:46:04 PM
Jon Wrote - 12/20/2007 @ 04:28:24 PM Favre overlooked again. Time named someone else as person of the year. (The last paragraph on that page explains the nature of the title) Though he didn't ask for any insight, Brett Favre was offered this constructive criticism from the man who edged him out. "Я использовал бы 2 мешка" edit: stupid computers. it shows up exactly how I want it and then it switches to garbage. maybe I'll find some way to fix it. edit: quote.doc Is that Russian for something? Because if it is, that is a very funny comment.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 04:49:25 PM
It is, and it is. It shows up fine if you quote it, or if a person posts a comment...it's a weird little bug there. Anyway....hilarious, especially for the awkward "this is exactly how I would picture a foreigner phrasing it" rewording.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 04:49:50 PM
after you open the word doc, it shows up on the page		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 04:50:52 PM
It shows up because we're commenting. AJAX is fixing the character encoding.....somehow.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - As Seen On The Internet 12/20/2007 @ 04:56:15 PM
There, the great russian mystery is solved.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 05:02:36 PM
Also, and maybe I'm just a typical ignorant american, but I didn't realize russian was THAT different looking. I mean I've seen russian on TV and movies, but you never know if that's just gibberish to "look more russian," or whatever. Положите вашу руку в старые тиски Edit: I love how it becomes much more of a command in russian, it seems fitting.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this 2 times, last at 12/20/2007 5:05:49 pm

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 12/20/2007 @ 11:15:01 PM
My father was a Russian professor. You should see their/our house. Gibberish galore.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - Washington Bureau Chief 12/20/2007 @ 11:48:25 PM
So do you speak any Russian yourself?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 07:59:02 AM
The Language is Russian, the alphabet Cyrillic.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 09:18:00 AM
Matt Wrote - 12/20/2007 @ 11:48:25 PM So do you speak any Russian yourself? Good question. Surprisingly the anwer is no. I never took an interest in the language at all. My sisters got to take a trip over several times with Dad and the University. I never went.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 09:37:18 AM
Does the Professor have any posters of Ivan Drago and the quote, "I must break you."?		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Jeremy - Pie Racist 12/21/2007 @ 10:09:52 AM
Я должен сломать вас		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 10:48:51 AM
В советскую Россию renegade бросает перехваты к вам. This is just too fun.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Who controls the past now controls the future 12/21/2007 @ 12:28:30 PM
You're just having encryption class flashbacks.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - 3619 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 12:59:31 PM
Oh yes, be afraid: THE LEGEND Brett Favre Comments: I'm just plain terrified by the possibility of a Pats-Packers Super Bowl -- not only will 90 percent of the crowd be Packers fans, not only will the entire country be galvanized behind one team like nothing we've seen since "USA 4, USSR 3," but it will be humanly impossible for the officials to avoid secretly rooting for the Pack in that one. How could you help it? Subconsciously, wouldn't you give Green Bay every break without even knowing it? Seeing Favre carry a team to a Super Bowl title at his age, with all the miles he's carrying, would be the best Father Time-defying sports moment since Jack Nicklaus won the '86 Masters … unless you count Hulk Hogan recapturing the WWE title in 2002. Personally, I would count it. But that's just me. - Bill Simmons		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - A Vote for me is a Vote against Terrorism! ...or atleast just wasted. 12/21/2007 @ 01:17:49 PM
USA 4 CCCP 3?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 01:23:34 PM
Alex Wrote - 12/21/2007 @ 12:59:31 PM Oh yes, be afraid: THE LEGEND Brett Favre Comments: I'm just plain terrified by the possibility of a Pats-Packers Super Bowl -- not only will 90 percent of the crowd be Packers fans, not only will the entire country be galvanized behind one team like nothing we've seen since "USA 4, USSR 3," but it will be humanly impossible for the officials to avoid secretly rooting for the Pack in that one. How could you help it? Subconsciously, wouldn't you give Green Bay every break without even knowing it? Seeing Favre carry a team to a Super Bowl title at his age, with all the miles he's carrying, would be the best Father Time-defying sports moment since Jack Nicklaus won the '86 Masters … unless you count Hulk Hogan recapturing the WWE title in 2002. Personally, I would count it. But that's just me. - Bill Simmons If you believe in conspiracy theories in professional sports, it is great to be a Packer fan right now. Carlos44ec Wrote - 12/21/2007 @ 09:37:18 AM Does the Professor have any posters of Ivan Drago and the quote, "I must break you."? Umm...pretty sure that one is not in the collection. However, I have a fine samovar I'll let go for a tidy sum.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/21/2007 @ 05:34:48 PM
Alex Wrote - 12/21/2007 @ 12:28:30 PM You're just having encryption class flashbacks. Often I think back to one of the last projects we did together. We kept debugging the program just to figure out we didn't allocate enough memory, then we would increase the key size, break it, debug for 2 hours, come to the same memory realization and repeat about 5 times. I think I've told this story on here, but at any rate I remember calling to tell Sarah "we were almost done" at like 8pm and then not leaving until 6am. Good Times. Edit: Not only did I tell it before it wasn't that long ago and I even worded it the same, for the most part		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jeremy messed with this 3 times, last at 12/21/2007 5:39:43 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/22/2007 @ 07:34:17 AM
Favre Hosed Again		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - No one's gay for Moleman 12/23/2007 @ 03:46:55 PM
By the way. They had to reprint this Magazine, they are actually pretty hard to find in our region. The choice had nothing to do with selling magazines though.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/24/2007 @ 07:50:37 AM
For the record, I was the first person on this site to mention that it might be an attempt to sell magazines. So your attempt at bustin' chops is actually an accurate statement that I already agreed with.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9543 Posts 12/25/2007 @ 12:34:45 AM
Who said there was chop bustin'?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - How do you use these things? 12/27/2007 @ 08:20:34 PM
The magazine is now in its 3rd printing, which has only happened 2 or 3 times before. Ha. http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071227/PKR01/712270464/1989		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/27/2007 @ 09:12:01 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/23/2007 @ 03:46:55 PM By the way. They had to reprint this Magazine, they are actually pretty hard to find in our region. The choice had nothing to do with selling magazines though. Maybe that just slightly grazing the chops.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 12/27/2007 @ 09:18:59 PM
I can't find squat either		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.