December 26, 2007

Brett Farve S.I.'s Sportsman of the Year : Any rebuttals out there?

read story | posted by Nakeman to Football at 1:08 PM CDT (54 comments total)

"Favre". That's my rebuttal. Heh.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 1:21 PM CDT on December 26

Also, ending your questions with a "?" is good practice.

Scoff if you want, but it's a front page post. Check your grammar.

posted by chicobangs at 1:24 PM CDT on December 26

Favre's an easy choice because of his longevity and continued high standards of play. He has overcome much in his personal life and continued to play. His involvement in the community in Green Bay and Kiln, Mississippi, is also exemplary. Still, I feel that this is a choice based on "who's hot" rather than who is the outstanding sportsman. Of course, any argument against Favre would have to be based on a number of fine points, and not on his overall impression upon sports fans.

posted by Howard_T at 1:30 PM CDT on December 26

Sorry about the"?" -grammer?

posted by Nakeman at 1:39 PM CDT on December 26

The guy is probably in his last year, he broke every significant passing record....who else were they going to choose? This is a typical call for SI, safe and popular. I don't know if I agree with the choice myself but congrats to him on a great NFL career.

posted by B10 at 2:18 PM CDT on December 26

Aw, c'mon Nake - stand by your man. 'Any rebuttals out there' was not a question. It was a statement, like one that could've been uttered by Al Capone before taking a baseball bat to the head of a failed underling or rival gangster.

Oh, and, happy holidays everyone!

posted by kokaku at 2:20 PM CDT on December 26

Yes it was an easy choice but it was the right choice. Congrats Brett.

posted by budman13 at 3:43 PM CDT on December 26

Roger Clemens. Barry Bonds. Jose Canseco. Now we're talking.

posted by diastematic at 3:58 PM CDT on December 26

Howard_T, you had me up till "...I feel that this is a choice based on "who's hot" rather than who is the outstanding sportsman."

Would you care to name someone more deserving? (not snarkin' on ya, ok?) If I was from another planet and catching some TV broadcasts, I would think there are only two teams in the entire NFL. (Pats and the 'boys). Myself, I cannot think of anyone else who has earned it more (PM aside, and maybe not even him).

To me Bret Favre is the embodiment of great athlete/good/nice guy. Yes, he has had some personal issues, but has handled them with grace.

posted by steelergirl at 4:00 PM CDT on December 26

P.S. I will admit the off field actions (humanitarian) of some players get publicized more than others. There are players out there who prefer to do their good deeds under the radar.

posted by steelergirl at 4:02 PM CDT on December 26

Aw, c'mon Nake - stand by your man. 'Any rebuttals out there' was not a question

No, was a mistake in punctuation. Or, grammar? Whatever.

posted by Nakeman at 4:57 PM CDT on December 26

Hey Nakeman, this is a sports blog and not an English class. I don't think anyone really cared if your puncuation was wrong.

posted by B10 at 5:12 PM CDT on December 26

But you'd be wrong.

posted by lilnemo at 6:04 PM CDT on December 26

Thanks lilnemo, nothing more frustrating then trying to have decent sports conversation and finding responses (much less the actual post) filled with mis-spellings and run-on sentences and caps abused or not used at all. Speaking of run-on sentences!! That's not to say I am some sort of english teacher but at least try to give it a bit of thought. All that aside, and nothing against Mr. Favre, Brian Westbrook is one stand-up individual. Not to mention a heck of a football player. But I am also a bit biased. Happy Holidays everyone.

posted by GoBirds at 7:34 PM CDT on December 26

Oh sure, he sounds like a good guy on and off the field from that article, but I couldn't help but notice how the fearful writer completely omitted any mention the fabled "lost month" that Brett Favre and Greg Maddux spent in the Dominican Republic back in February of 2004.

Local peasants still refer to that time as "el invierno de sangre y lágrimas"...

posted by Hal Incandenza at 8:42 PM CDT on December 26

Hmm, the plot thickens.

posted by GoBirds at 9:28 PM CDT on December 26

If "Sportsman of the Year" was anything like Time Magazine's "Man of the Year", then anyone OTHER than Barry Bonds would be a bad choice. It's not often that an athlete can make a top-10 list of "Biggest Sports Stories of the Year" with two unrelated events (perjury indictment and home run chase/record).

That said, if it must be a "feel good" story that gets the award, then Favre is definitely my choice (with Sidney Crosby being #2). Setting three different career passing records, leading a team to an outstanding record, putting up amazing numbers at age 38, all in a season that followed an off-season where almost EVERYONE insisted he MUST retire*? I've got no problem with him winning the award.

*note: It seems people have been saying this for a while.

posted by grum@work at 10:18 PM CDT on December 26

Local peasants still refer to that time as "el invierno de sangre y lágrimas"...

Aww, if you'd used Mexico we might actually have footage on film. Well played, though, Hal.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:42 AM CDT on December 27

Oh sure, he sounds like a good guy on and off the field from that article, but I couldn't help but notice how the fearful writer completely omitted any mention the fabled "lost month" that Brett Favre and Greg Maddux spent in the Dominican Republic back in February of 2004.

Local peasants still refer to that time as "el invierno de sangre y lágrimas"...

posted by Hal Incandenza at 8:42 PM CST on December 26

Maybe that's why he didn't win SI's Sportsman of the year in 2004. It's irrelievant to this year and pathetic to say the least. That would be like bringing up Tom Brady's illegitimate child if it were he that was named.

posted by budman13 at 2:31 AM CDT on December 27

I can't argue with the choice. I think he surprised many with how well he's done this year, including myself. It's obvious he's put in the work and dedication necessary to excell in his craft. I'm happy for him.

posted by still44 at 6:31 AM CDT on December 27

If "Sportsman of the Year" was anything like Time Magazine's "Man of the Year", then anyone OTHER than Barry Bonds would be a bad choice.

Because he's the Vladimir Putin of the sports world?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 7:48 AM CDT on December 27

I think the "Sportsman of the Year" should have won something, anything; a division title, MVP, Conference Championship...etc, at some point in the last decade.

How many trophies has Brett and the Pack put in the cupboard lately, besides this meaningless one of course? None? Well then...

This just seems like a "we think Brett is a 'cool' guy so we are going to give him an award based on how many school girls giggle because he looks cute throwing 4 picks before half-time" award.

posted by r8rh8r27 at 9:09 AM CDT on December 27

I think the "Sportsman of the Year" should have won something, anything; a division title, MVP, Conference Championship...etc, at some point in

I'm curious, who would your pick be for Sportman of the Year? Not that I disagree with you, but should criteria you stated be the sole benchmark for the award?

posted by Nakeman at 9:16 AM CDT on December 27

This just seems like a "we think Brett is a 'cool' guy so we are going to give him an award based on how many school girls giggle because he looks cute throwing 4 picks before half-time" award.

Do you really think that Brett Favre is making "school girls giggle" these days? I mean, there's no accounting for taste, but...

And, on the outside chance that he is...don't hate him 'cuz he's beautiful, k?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 9:26 AM CDT on December 27

who would your pick

Fabio Cannavaro won a World Cup Title and a Spanish Championship.

SI.com says this award is, "the athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement". The last four winners of the award were:
Tim Duncan-NBA MVP, playoff MVP, champion
Boston Red Sox-World Series Champions
Tom Brady-two time Super Bowl MVP
Dwayne Wade-NBA Champ, Finals MVP
So the criteria stated really isn't mine, it's SI's criteria, which they apparently didn't follow.

Brett's "achievement" mentioned is, "NFL touchdown leader" which is a lifetime accomplishment, not a yearly one. Also, it should be mentioned that this record will soon be shattered, and I truly hope that when it is, it is broken in the same UN-sportsman fashion that Brett allowed when Strahan broke the sack record.

posted by r8rh8r27 at 9:39 AM CDT on December 27

Seems all other winners (you posted) in the past have been U.S. based sports. Has S.I. ever picked a non-American for their award? I would hazard to guess, since S.I. is a U.S. based publication, some feathers might be ruffled with your pick.

Another thing, does S.I. have a publication for Europe or other country besides the U.S. ?

posted by Nakeman at 9:52 AM CDT on December 27

Seems all other winners (you posted) in the past have been U.S. based sports.

I just posted the most recent. Non-American winners have included: Roger Bannister who won it first, Ingermar Johnasson, Bobby Orr, Jackie Stewart, Wayne Gretzky, Kip Keino, and Johan Olav Koss. So giving the award to an Italian wouldn't be a big departure. However, giving the award to someone who hasn't won anything or participated in some grand charitable gesture is a departure from the standard of the award.

some feathers might be ruffled with your pick.

And here lies the crux of the argument. Brett was a "safe" pick. It would sell some copy. Get a few "debates" on ESPN, and generally keep the masses happy. That is why Brett won. It had absolutely nothing to do with his "sportsmanship" (or lack thereof) or his "recent achievements" (which do not really exists).

posted by r8rh8r27 at 10:36 AM CDT on December 27

If "Sportsman of the Year" was anything like Time Magazine's "Man of the Year", then anyone OTHER than Barry Bonds would be a bad choice.

Because he's the Vladimir Putin of the sports world?

I'll remind you that Stalin was "Man of the Year", as was Hitler.
It has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with impact on the world in the past calendar year.

There was no other sports figure that had a bigger impact on the sports world than Barry Bonds. Michael Vick and Tim Donaghey had stories that rivaled the intrigue of Bonds, but Barry took it to another level by breaking the single greatest North American sporting record.

However, that is not how S.I. decides on their award, so that's why I don't really have a problem with their selection.

Fabio Cannavaro won a World Cup Title and a Spanish Championship.

In 2007? There wasn't a World Cup in 2007. He wasn't even FIFA Player of the Year in 2007. I'm not sure why your selection would be any better than Favre. A league championship in a team sport is good, but there were many, many other players in other football leagues that also were on championship teams.

Favre's nomination is for breaking 3 career records AND for doing it after everyone else said he should have retired.

posted by grum@work at 11:00 AM CDT on December 27

Brett was a "safe" pick. It would sell some copy. Get a few "debates" on ESPN, and generally keep the masses happy. That is why Brett won. It had absolutely nothing to do with his "sportsmanship" (or lack thereof) or his "recent achievements" (which do not really exists).

I couldn't agree with you more. Excellent statement!

posted by B10 at 11:43 AM CDT on December 27

I'll remind you that Stalin was "Man of the Year", as was Hitler.
It has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with impact on the world in the past calendar year.

I knew that, grum. My point was the same as your point, only I made it a few hours earlier.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:54 AM CDT on December 27

I thought that sportsman of the year rewarded sportsmanship. He's an acceptable choice if that is the case, I think.

posted by Adept at 1:03 PM CDT on December 27

I'll remind you that Stalin was "Man of the Year", as was Hitler.
It has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with impact on the world in the past calendar year.

These days, it's everything to do with selling magazines. Magazines like Time and SI would love to have their cake and eat it too - choosing the most deserving winner whose face has the potential to move a lot of volume - but when push comes to shove, they'll always choose the latter over the former. How else do you explain the choice of Rudy Giuliani over Osama bin Laden as Time's "Person of the Year" in 2001?

The same applies to "Sportsman of the Year," although the criteria are slightly more fluid, as grum noted. If the SI editorial staff found themselves debating between Favre and an Indian cricket player who set unbelievable records while showing immaculate sportmanship and working to lift thousands of orphans out of poverty, they'd eventually burst out laughing and say "Hahahahaha, who are we kidding? Let's give it to Brett."

posted by Venicemenace at 1:16 PM CDT on December 27

I thought that sportsman of the year rewarded sportsmanship.

That's a bit like believing that a fireman sets fires. From the article: "It is for his perseverance and his passion that SI honors Favre with the 54th Sportsman of the Year award. " Regardless of the dictionary definition of "sportsman" (which, at least on webster, does not put "sportsmanship" first), SI is free to humpty dumpty it however they choose.

(no women need apply, of course)

posted by lil_brown_bat at 1:38 PM CDT on December 27

budman13: Maybe that's why he didn't win SI's Sportsman of the year in 2004. It's irrelievant to this year and pathetic to say the least. That would be like bringing up Tom Brady's illegitimate child if it were he that was named.

Ah, budman13- you didn't realize I was riffing on one of the great "running gags" of SpoFi, that Greg Maddux, beneath the quiet, workaday Hall of Fame career, is a bloodthirsty prostitute and hobo killer (I think the original meme started here). Among the long timers, a Maddux-kill-fest reference never fails to get a laugh. Truth is here was no "lost month", I was just going for the cheap joke... ;)

posted by Hal Incandenza at 2:17 PM CDT on December 27

Among the long timers, a Maddux-kill-fest reference never fails to get a laugh. Truth is here was no "lost month", I was just going for the cheap joke... ;)

"Mad Dog" is so going to get you for that.

posted by grum@work at 2:27 PM CDT on December 27

Magazines like Time and SI would love to have their cake and eat it too - choosing the most deserving winner whose face has the potential to move a lot of volume - but when push comes to shove, they'll always choose the latter over the former. How else do you explain the choice of Rudy Giuliani over Osama bin Laden as Time's "Person of the Year" in 2001?

I completely agree with the theory. But completely disagree with the example. Could you imagine the fallout if Time chose Osama as the Man of the Year in 2001? How many ads do you think would have been cancelled? How many subscriptions? How many boycotts organized?

That wasn't about selling magazines, that was about staying in business.

posted by cjets at 2:30 PM CDT on December 27

steelergirl,

understood that you are not "snarking" me. I feel we are in general agreement that Favre is deserving of the award. However, r8rh8r27 and others have said what I was trying to imply; that is, close inspection of others, both US and foreign, might reveal that there are some who have had a greater impact upon sports in 2007. In short: Brett Favre = easy and popular pick; anyone else = thoughtful but probably controversial pick.

That's a bit like believing that a fireman sets fires.

l_b_b, does that mean Fahrenheit 451 isn't true?

posted by Howard_T at 2:33 PM CDT on December 27

l_b_b, does that mean Fahrenheit 451 isn't true?

Not yet.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 2:34 PM CDT on December 27

(no women need apply, of course)

The US National Team won it in '99 after winning the World Cup. Before that, Bonnie Blair, but she had to split it with Koss. Maybe they figured that giving it to two women was the same as one guy? There are a few other females, but generally ypu are right. Women must to do something spectacular on AND off the field (and it helps if they are smoking hot with a propensity to de-robe in public) to get this kind of attention.

Looking back at other winners this isn't the worse choice ever. No, that goes to Don "9 and 7" Shula who won it in 1993. He was an awful player, unloved as a coach, and far from a "sportsman" using any conventional definition of the word. His move to Miami was so tainted it would make Nick Saban blush. The annual "celebration" each year of the last undefeated team to go is pathetic. If Unitas wasn't in the game calling all the plays, Shula's "big-game" record would be even more abysmal than it is now, which by the way is the worst ever. Don Shula invented the art of giving away a playoff game with a better team. After retirement was forced upon him he took self-promotion to unimagined new heights. His greatest gift to the communities that made him rich and famous: The Don Shula Steakhouse.

posted by r8rh8r27 at 2:52 PM CDT on December 27

Great choice. Brett Favre had one of his best seasons.Alot of people ,including
some announcers,said that he should retire at the beginning of the season.Congratulations to Brett.Without him,GreenBay wouldn't be where they are today.He proved alot of people wrong in which some say was his best season ever.

posted by Ghastly1 at 3:29 PM CDT on December 27

Maybe that's why he didn't win SI's Sportsman of the year in 2004. It's irrelievant to this year and pathetic to say the least. That would be like bringing up Tom Brady's illegitimate child if it were he that was named.

It's also irrelevant and pathetic to jump down somebody's throat without knowing what the hell is being discussed, especially if that someone has been a member here for five years. Hal was merely continuing a tradition that predates me, you, and about 15,000 other SpoFites. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised you've been a member here for over two years, and still couldn't figure out the joke.

As far as Favre is concerned, thank God he stopped drinking. If he and Maddux were still throwing their "Absinthe-and-Gore" parties, the world wouldn't stand a chance.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 3:34 PM CDT on December 27

I thought Al stopped those before the 2000 election.

posted by yerfatma at 3:59 PM CDT on December 27

I would have given Tony Romo a nod. I thought he was a great sport about his girlfriend being an albatross.

posted by irunfromclones at 4:38 PM CDT on December 27

It was a statement, like one that could've been uttered by Al Capone before taking a baseball bat to the head of a failed underling or rival gangster.

Does anyone have Al's lifetime batting stats?

posted by irunfromclones at 4:43 PM CDT on December 27

In short: Brett Favre = easy and popular pick; anyone else = thoughtful but probably controversial pick.

I understand your point Howard_T. Sometimes I lead with my heart instead of my brain, and quick to jump at times. It has gotten me into some interesting situations. lol And yes, I agree about SI being U.S.-centric (doubt that is a word, though) and a foreign sports figure would have probably been met with "WHO?" by a lot of the subscribers.

posted by steelergirl at 8:12 PM CDT on December 27

i dont think favre is the wrong choice, but i think i would've gone a with brady. we also could justly give it to tony dungy, or roger federer. the point is its kinda like any who is the greatest _________ ? argument. none of the top choices are necessarily wrong, but you may not agree with the decision that was made.

posted by elijahin at 9:53 PM CDT on December 27

Since I posted this article, my choice would be without any hesitation: Tiger Woods. Probably will go down as the greatest golfer who ever lived.

posted by Nakeman at 12:00 AM CDT on December 28

Hmmm. This is a tough pick.

In general, I support Favre as the choice. He's a class act and his success this year has been inspiring.

Of course, Brady is having a better season - one for the ages, perhaps. However, he's not 38 and coming back after everyone said he was washed up.

Tiger Woods has had an amazing year, but I would almost say that his amazing years have almost become typical now. For Woods to win this this year, he'd have had to have won all four majors. Did I say that right? I'm not especially a golf fan, alas.

That said, I submit the following for your consideration:

Peyton Manning. Winning Quarterback of the last Superbowl who had one of the greatest seasons of his career culminate in 2007. He's a classy player and, while the Colts are not dominating the way they did in 2006, has also had an amazing 07-08 season.

Alternately, consider Jessica Long. Yes, her killer season was 2006, but she won the AAU Sullivan Award for being the best amateur athelete in 2007. She is 15. Also, she is a Paralympic athelete. Seriously amazing young lady.

posted by Joey Michaels at 12:37 AM CDT on December 28

Wow- Joey Michaels, you should do some research and turn that into a nice FPP. That is pretty impressive...

posted by Hal Incandenza at 4:15 AM CDT on December 28

My sincere and most humble apologies to you, Hal Incandenza. You're right I didn't realize it was a long standing joke.

posted by budman13 at 7:44 AM CDT on December 28

No worries budman- I don't mind. Just sayin', we like to have a little fun here too, so our running jokes help keep the mood light. :)

posted by Hal Incandenza at 4:08 AM CDT on December 29

You two better shut up before Maddux realizes you're talking about him. He can sense this stuff, you know.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 8:57 AM CDT on December 29

It didn't help that you had to go and say his name.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:21 AM CDT on December 29

Yeah, but at least he didn't say his name 5 times...

posted by Hal Incandenza at 3:45 PM CDT on December 29

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