In his NFC East Preview, my fellow columnist Eric Cooper refused to comment about Albert Haynesworth, and rightly so. The preseason shenanigans of the Redskins' disgruntled defensive tackle have been a 350-pound headache for coach Mike Shanahan, not to mention every NFL fan in the District. Here's a quick synopsis: Haynesworth signed a seven-year, $100 million deal with D.C. Fat Albert then proceeded to flunk a conditioning test that was so simple, even Mike Golic could do it. It's like those Snickers "You're not you when you're hungry" commercials, except that Haynesworth got his candy - $41 million guaranteed - and is still playing football like Betty White.
It is because of players like Haynesworth that I just can't bring myself to cheer against Brett Favre this season. After another failed flirtation with retirement, Favre is back as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, and his conveniently timed return has ruffled more than a few feathers across the NFL. Favre has been criticized as a waffling, flip-flopping, exasperating egomaniac, but the annual un-retirement of No. 4 should be celebrated, not condemned; the NFL is better for it.
Precious few things in life - Mario Kart 64 and Elizabeth Hurley come to mind - have aged as well as Favre. At age 40, the three-time league MVP actually posted a better quarterback rating - 107.2 - in 2009 than during any of his three MVP seasons from 1995-97. But more important, Favre is the anti-Albert. After landing a Scott Boras-sized contract, Haynesworth essentially mailed in his disappointing 2009 season with Washington. When the 'Skins demonstrated their commitment to winning by acquiring Donovan McNabb and Shanahan this offseason, Albert demonstrated his commitment to the Rosie O'Donnell workout program. Haynesworth's coaches and teammates have given him a thousand second chances, but because Haynesworth would rather pad his stats in the defensive scheme of his choosing, he is content to be a nine-figure backup and throw his elite talent back in the face of the very organization that wants him to succeed.
There's no question that Favre, like Haynesworth, can be a self-absorbed individual. In 2010, Favre waffled with the Vikings while feeding the ESPN media monster with doublespeak and mysterious texts to teammates, all of which culminated in a shameless "Favre-Cam" seemingly shot live from a stealth bomber hovering over Hattiesburg, Miss. But before and after his initial retirement saga with the Green Bay Packers in 2008, Favre never played football with the cancerous combination of selfishness, laziness and apathy that has defined Haynesworth's stint in D.C. Favre has undergone numerous offseason medical procedures because he knows he still has more to give; in 2008, he quit on Green Bay only when the Packers quit on him. He already owns the NFL quarterback record books, yet his competitive hunger still remains nothing short of legendary. For proof, look no further than Favre's best known - yet least glamorous - achievement. Favre holds the all-time record for consecutive starts - 309 and counting - an "Iron Man" legacy arguably more impressive than the 2,632 consecutive baseball games played by Baltimore Orioles icon Cal Ripken, Jr. Now compare that with Haynesworth who played in just 12 games in 2009 and has limped through the motions for much of this preseason.
When Favre finally retires for good, his legacy will be partly defined by his repeated refusal to walk away from football, but it should not be tainted by it. That's because Favre, like so few athletes in sports, plays every down with an unbridled youthfulness, an indomitable spirit. You can love him or hate him, but never dismiss just how deep - and how special - Favre's love for the game truly is. Dec. 22, 2003, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers obliterated the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football, 41-7. Given any circumstances, Favre's passing effort of 399 yards and four touchdowns could be considered heroic. But after losing his father to a heart attack the day before, Favre's performance was even more mind-blowing. After the game - and before leaving to attend his father's funeral - Favre said the following: "I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game. It's meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family and I didn't expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight." Three seasons later, on Oct. 2, 2006, Albert Haynesworth was suspended without pay for five games after he viciously stomped on the head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode during a game the previous day. It remains the longest suspension for an on-field incident in NFL history, and certainly one of the ugliest moments in sports. I hope his dad wasn't watching.
A career in professional sports is a dream for many but a reality for few. For the millions of us that don't make it to the big time, we become sports fans, we cheer and we boo. But what we wouldn't give to trade our replica jerseys and season tickets for the chance to play the game for a living. You don't have to cheer for Favre, and you certainly can boo him, but I won't be joining you - no matter how badly he beats the Chicago Bears. Because when you lose something special in your life forever, you will give anything for a second chance to turn back time and to live with no regrets. Even if that makes you a waffler. Favre is far from perfect, but he has never taken the game he loves for granted. For that, he has my respect - and all the second chances he needs.
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