Brett Favre surprised it took Aaron Rodgers so long to win Super Bowl

Brett Favre is in the elite company of athletes who can say absolutely anything and have it become news.

Photo: Getty Images

So naturally, on the week the Packers ready to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, Favre went on 790 The Zone in Atlanta (LISTEN HERE) and, whoa-la, news was made. 

Favre was asked what he was thinking when watching current Packers QB Aaron Rodgers lead Green Bay to a Super Bowl last year.

"I'm going to be honest, I was not surprised. The biggest surprise to me would be that he didn't do it sooner," Favre said.

Que the media - which is rapidly falling in love with Rodgers - backlash.

"Sooner? What, his third year as a starter wasn't soon enough?! Damn you Favre, you bitter old man!"

Wait, wait, wait. Context.

Thanks to the fine people at Sports Radio Interviews, I am not so ready to slam Favre for his slight at my man crush because when reading the entire transcript I realize it was much more a compliment to both Rodgers and the Packers as a whole.

Favre's tone was far from malicious, and the focal point of his response was actually more of an "I told you so" about the fact that he was not crazy when he told the media two years ago that the Packers had the most talent he had ever seen.

That talent is a credit to Ted Thompson, the Packers General Manager who made the decision to go in the direction of Rodgers as opposed to waiting around for Favre.

Also, some comments made by Favre that are lost by many who are looking for an excuse to jump all over him include:

"[Aaron] watched, he learned and when he got a chance to play he brought in his ability, which obviously is very good otherwise they wouldn't have drafted him in the first round."

"[Aaron's] got tremendous talent, he's very bright, and he got a chance to watch and see successful teams do it right."

Things will likely always be a bit off kilter between Favre and Rodgers. However, after listening to Favre talk about his retirement, admit that he should have hung it up two years earlier, and compliment the current state of the Packers, "the 'ole gunslinger" seems quite at peace with his retirement.

A collective sigh of relief. All is well in Titletown. Sleep easy, cheeseheads, for soon Favre will have his number retired and the ugly divorce will be a thing of the past.

Brett Favre makes broadcast debut

Future NFL Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre made his football broadcasting debut this past weekend as part of the Rice vs. Southern Mississippi CSS TV broadcast. 

Favre, who played for Southern Mississippi from 1987 to 1990, did not commit to a career in broadcasting but said he wanted to "check out the view from the pressbox."

I never really pegged Favre as the type to get involved in sports broadcasting and in this small sample size, I would say that he's got some work to do. At the very least, he could work on selling us on the fact that he is excited to be there. 

Regardless, Favre was a hall of fame playing talent which means if he wants to be a part of ESPN's 42-man NFL Countdown crew, he will be. 

By the way, the ridiculously overstaffed NFL Countdown pales in comparison to the best Sunday morning NFL pre-game show there is: NFL Matchup. 

Matchup happens to air on the same network, unbeknownst to all because it airs at seven in the freakin' morning. 

Gotta' love ESPN. Burying one of their few really good, insightful shows with probably their two best analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski.