Fans adjust to life after Favre ...How Packers perform likely will be a factor. How Packers perform likely will be a factor

Fans adjust to life after Favre ...How Packers perform likely will be a factor

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August 10, 2008

Fans adjust to life after Favre ...How Packers perform likely will be a factor

By Tony Walter
twalter@greenbaypressgazette.com
A cure for the Green Bay Packers community hangover in the wake of Brett Favre's departure is at least a month away.
"What's going to matter to the psychological health of the fans is how the Packers do — if they win," said Kevin Quinn, associate professor of economics at St. Norbert College who has done extensive studies on pro sports. "I don't believe there's going to be a long-term hangover."
Favre's trade to the New York Jets Wednesday night ended the debate over his 2008 role with the Packers. It also left Packers fans to seek consolation someplace else, for some a remedy for the ill effects of Life After Favre.
Acceptance is a key ingredient, according to Cindy Bartel, a counselor with The American Foundation of Counseling Services in Green Bay.
"It's a willingness to understand, to let go, to forgive and to embrace additional views," Bartel said. "Things happen that we can't control, so moving ahead is to everyone's benefit."
It's difficult to let go of anger and other emotions by "ruminating on the what ifs," Bartel said. "There has to be a different way of thinking, that this is what took place, and having a belief that we can find some good out of it."
Some believe tensions will ease when the regular season begins.
"Once there's a kickoff (at the Sept. 8 season opener), people will get over it," said Mike Lambert of Manitowoc who toured the Lambeau Field atrium on Friday.
"I'm extremely excited for the season," said Shane Nelson of Belleville, Mich., who was taking photographs of his family in front of the Vince Lombardi statue.
Paul Jadin, president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, said he doesn't think it will be a problem moving past the Favre controversy.
"I don't know what's happened to the world," Jadin said. "This has been beyond what anyone could put in a movie. There will be a flurry of activity, but then Aaron (Rodgers) will be the man."
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said the Favre issue affected a lot of people.
"There are some people who now have a second favorite team," Schmitt said. "They'll be watching the Jets. But, at the end of the day, they'll realize that the Packers are bigger than one individual."
Quinn said debate will continue, but reason will prevail.
"I find it hard to believe that Mark Murphy, Mike McCarthy, Ted Thompson and the executive board are all idiots," Quinn said. "In the final analysis, this is what's interesting in sports. It's conversation fodder and it's the greatest thing in the world. In a few years, things will be forgotten. But if they lose to the Vikings …"
The Favre story lingered so long because of the unique relationship between fans here and Packers players, Quinn said.
"The thing that drives demand is that fans feel such a personal identification with these players and it's not just the numbers," he said.
Favre "represented small-town values and was like a member of the family in a sense."
However, getting over it is the dilemma for many.