A Playbook Example: Favre to report to Packers today after NFL's OK | courier-journal | The Courier-Journal

The Playbook Commentary:

This is definitely a good example of what The Playbook looks to address in our "Post-Game Wrap-Up" seminar and what my firm, Off-The-Field Branding: Professional and Personal Management offers in services. Brett Favre seems to not have had an exit strategy planned way before it was time to implement it.

He didn't have his post-NFL career solidified. This is done when you are able to think/act strategically and not emotionally. I truly believe that if Favre had outlined his post-NFL life and felt comfortable in it, when he did decide to retire, he would not have second guessed his decision.

A simple decision like a change of mind can do as much harm to your brand, your future and your legacy as any wreckless act can. Why, because more than yourself is affected by the decision you make.

Favre's change of heart has now caused an organization that had processed and planned a season without him, to now have to, by public force more than good business decision, revamp things in the 11th hour.

No matter how talented Favre is. No matter how much closer the team might be to going to the Super Bowl with him versus without, it doesn't look good to the personal/professional brand called "Brett Favre". He should have been advised by his internal team, back when he began to express the possibility of retirement after the 2007-2008 season, to wait until the emotions were gone before he made anything final. His retirement was announced in the heat of the excitement of his on-the-field accomplishments and the hype of his legacy. It was not made soundly or rationally...and, we must all remember that the NFL is first and foremost a business and should be handled as such.

I am a fan. And, I pray things work out....they probably will. But, it is still a sad situation and one to be viewed more than mainly a great player deciding to return to the field.

Career decisions made by "professional" athletes need to be handled as orderly and strategically as any corporate executive, manager or employee. In the regular world, you can't submit your letter of resignation on Friday and come in Monday as say, "I was just joking". That only happens in a Seinfeld episode....and, even there George didn't get his job back.

Live and learn from this situation student-athletes as much as you should learn from those athletes that have hurt their brand and professional career by placing themselves in crazy situation. Both are important.

Favre to report to Packers today after NFL's OK
Team says he's welcome back

By Chris Jenkins • Associated Press • August 4, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Though the Green Bay Packers say Brett Favre has put them in a difficult situation, they're prepared to welcome him back.


The NFL announced yesterday that Favre will be reinstated and added to the Packers' active roster today.

"Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back," team president Mark Murphy said. "We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.

"Frankly, Brett's change of mind put us in a very difficult spot. We now will revise many actions and assumptions about our long-term future, all predicated on Brett's decision last March to retire."

A private plane carrying Favre, wife Deanna and agent James "Bus" Cook arrived in Green Bay shortly after 8 o'clock EDT last night. Favre exited the plane and waved to a crowd of a few hundred fans gathered at the airport -- in a severe lightning storm, no less.

He could be on the field tomorrow, but it's unclear whether the team will let him compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting quarterback job.

"Well, there comes time when (my) mentor and I get to compete, and I guess that's what's going to happen," Rodgers said after a scrimmage last night.

Coach Mike McCarthy wants to talk to Favre today before he decides on opening up the job.

"There have been no promises," McCarthy said.

Favre to report to Packers today after NFL's OK courier-journal The Courier-Journal

NFL Suspends Chris Henry 4 Games -- Courant.com

Expert of article:

Henry suspended 4 games: Wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended by the league for four games but may play the final 12 games of the season for any team that signs him.

Henry was released by Cincinnati in April after his fifth arrest. Commissioner Roger Goodell had suspended him indefinitely following his latest arrest. The charges against him on that arrest were later dropped.Henry may participate in training camp and exhibition games if he is signed. Henry was suspended for the first eight games last season under the league's personal conduct policy. He returned to catch 21 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. But the Bengals released him after he was accused of punching a University of Cincinnati student and breaking his car window with a beer bottle.

To read full article go to: NFL Suspends Chris Henry 4 Games -- Courant.com