Mark Murphy has made it clear the Green Bay Packers would like to have a grand and public reconciliation with Brett Favre. Sooner rather than later.
It looks like that day could be coming soon. Wounds have healed and fences are being mended for one of the game’s all-time best. This time, it was Favre making it very clear when he appeared on WGR 550-AM in Buffalo in support of a charity for former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.
“I was at fault,” Favre said of the way his divorce with the Packers went back in 2008 during his interview with Joe Buscaglia. You can listen to the entire interview here.
According to Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin, Favre said he’s been in consistent contact with Murphy, the team’s president, and indicated his relationship with Aaron Rodgers has improved as well. By publicly saying what he did, it’s evident he is also motivated to be back in the Packers family.
“As time does, it heals a lot of things. I know for me as I've gotten further and further removed from the game, I think about the statistics and things of that nature, which I don't know of any player where that didn't matter some,” Favre said. “It matters a whole lot less now. So the things that transpired that led to us 'breaking up' if you will, to me, are over and done with.
“And so, when will that happen? I don't think either side is trying to push the issue. I think Mark Murphy – and Mark came in really in the last few weeks of my career in Green Bay -- he kind of came into a hornets’ nest if you will. He's been extremely great in trying to make this work. And in our discussions, it’s been, ‘It will happen.’ I think both sides are genuine. I know they are. And that's the way it has to come across because that's the way it should be. We don't want to go out there waving to the crowd with our backs to each other. And I don't think that's going to happen.
“Aaron has said some very nice things. And he and I have a good relationship. I had a chance to present an award with him at the Super Bowl and that was for real. It wasn't for show. And so I think everything will be fine.”
Favre also took some blame for the way things shook out at the end before he was traded to the New York Jets.
“It is what it is. It's over and done with. I was at fault,” he said. “I feel that both sides had a part in it. If you could go back, would I or they have done things differently? I'm sure both sides would. But you can't. And I think, I don't know for certain, but I think the situation with Peyton (Manning) and the Colts almost looked like our situation. But then, maybe they thought twice about it and maybe they learned from our situation and they handled it correctly.
“So I hate it, that it happened that way. And I tried to go on and play my best football in spite of those things. And I had a great year my first year in Minnesota and up until my bicep was torn in New York, I really felt we were having a great year. So I look back and have fond memories of all those years.
“In 20 years of football, really I don't hold any regrets. I know I gave it my all. Had 16 great, wonderful years in Green Bay. Had a lot of success, played with a lot of great teammates, was part of some teams that had some great coaches who have all branched out, (Mike) McCarthy being one of those.
"I think things will be fine in due time.”
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune