Minnesota's Favre needs to fess up

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 28, 2010 3:54 PM

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The court of public opinion can be just as condemning or forgiving as those courts where actual verdicts are rendered and life-altering sentences are handed out.

Like he has many times before, Brett Favre currently finds himself measured not only by touchdown passes or wins and losses, but by the public's opinion of his on and off-the-field actions.

Favre is currently mired in the NFL's investigation into whether he sent inappropriate voice mails and text messages to former New York Jets' game-day host Jenn Sterger. A report surfaced over the weekend that Favre admitted to NFL vice president of security Milt Ahlerich last week that he left voice mails for Sterger while playing for the Jets in 2008.

Prior to that admission, Favre refused to answer questions about the allegations involving his contact with Sterger. While Roger Clemens has done more damage than good by repeatedly denying ever using steroids, Favre's silence before last week also painted a cloud of guilt.

When evidence suggests guilt, silence does nothing to disprove that theory. Favre's tired off-season "will-he-or-won't-he return" act has tarnished his image in recent years.

On the field, Favre is a hobbled, beaten shell of his former self. On Sunday night in Green Bay, Favre re-injured his surgically repaired left ankle and it was announced Monday that he has two fractures in that ankle.

Favre was intercepted three times in the Vikings' 28-24 loss to the Packers and is now tied with Drew Brees for the league lead in interceptions with 10.

One of the league's best quarterbacks at eluding pass rushers and buying time with his feet for receivers to get open, Favre's lack of mobility is now one his biggest liabilities. Under the tutelage of Mike Holmgren in Green Bay, Favre was taught to extend plays with his feet in the West Coast offense. That philosophy worked well for a younger Favre, not a 41-year-old ghost of a former legend.

The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions, Favre's interceptions and his four lost fumbles that have led to 51 points for opponents this season. His completion percentage is more than 10 points lower than what it was a year ago.

Much like Michael Jordan as a Washington Wizard or Johnny Unitas as a San Diego Charger, Favre has reached the point of detracting from everything he's worked so hard to accomplish.

With his NFL record of 291 consecutive starts in jeopardy, it's not just Favre's ankle that's fractured, it's his legacy.