Favre set to receive award for questioning NFL (1 Viewer)

[Man in the yellow hat]

Just found this interesting:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=577864

Drug counseling agency will give award to Favre

By SCOTT WILLIAMS

swilliams@journalsentinel.com

Posted: March 14, 2007

Waukesha - When Brett Favre forcefully and passionately defended a teammate suspended for drunken driving, he scored a touchdown with the addiction treatment community.

Now a Waukesha drug counseling agency wants to honor the Green Bay Packers quarterback with a national award seldom given in Wisconsin.

The Addiction Resource Council plans to recognize Favre for publicly questioning the National Football League's policy of banishing players who repeatedly violate its substance-abuse policy.

At a March 30 ceremony in Waukesha, the agency will give Favre a Bronze Key Award, the highest honor of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

The only other Wisconsin recipients of that award have been former Gov. Warren Knowles and Milwaukee business leader Gene Edwards, who helped start the Milwaukee Council on Alcoholism.

Carol Hanneman-Garuz, associate director of the Addiction Resource Council, said Favre's willingness to rally around a troubled teammate was a perfect example of how society needs to support, rather than criticize, people battling addiction.

"This is what it's all about," Hanneman-Garuz said. "He said it so eloquently."

After the suspension of Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson in October, the quarterback made headlines by saying a team should be a "support group" and the NFL should not treat players hampered with addictions like outcasts.

"I don't like the way the league has, in my mind, turned its back on him," Favre said at the time.

In addition to being suspended from games, Robinson is barred from the Packers' facilities.

"If he can't play, fine. If that's your ruling, fine," Favre said in October. "But at least let him come in where guys can say, 'Hey, Koren, can we help you out? You need someone to talk to?' "

Favre, who was treated in 1996 for an addiction to painkillers, could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Packers spokesman Zak Gilbert issued a statement expressing gratitude for the award and noting Favre's experience with addiction.

"He had a few close teammates who supported him then," Gilbert said, "and I'm sure those memories were fresh in his mind when he chose to speak out in support of Koren."

 

[Banger]

There goes that jerk Favre again thirsting for the limelight. When will he learn......

 

[bcr8f]

There goes that jerk Favre again thirsting for the limelight. When will he learn......

When's that press conference again?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

 

[Titus Pullo]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

 

[Warhogs]

Just waiting for the Favre bashers to chime in.....

 

[Bri]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

I don't disagree with the above but there's more to it.It could also be that the player gets drunk or high with teammates at parties and seeing the teammates is a bad thing. So there would be an argument for the other side too.When Haynesworth stepped on Gurode(?) and was suspended it's no prob to anyone that he's not allowed at the team's facility. Take away the priviledge to be in that multimillon dollar facility too! That makes sense to us I'd figure.I think it's just suspension=no team facility and is a blanket rule.I remember that whole thing by Favre. One thing that struck me was "why can't Favre stop by Koren's house after practice? spend time with him then?" What's wrong with him spending time with his family then with some player/friends in the evening? If all of us had a friend with a drinking prob and we were gonna help them it'd probably have to be after our work day. Our bosses wouldn't be too pleased if he was at our work.I don't know what the answer to all this is at all but it's quite complicated. Maybe the NFL has to review the transcripts/facts of the court case and make each suspension ruling on a case by case basis.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

I remember that whole thing by Favre. One thing that struck me was "why can't Favre stop by Koren's house after practice? spend time with him then?" What's wrong with him spending time with his family then with some player/friends in the evening? If all of us had a friend with a drinking prob and we were gonna help them it'd probably have to be after our work day. Our bosses wouldn't be too pleased if he was at our work.

Valid point, but this isn't like everyone else's work situation. These guys don't have much off time, and spend probably 90% of their day at the facility, don't they? Most guys anyway?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

I don't disagree with the above but there's more to it.It could also be that the player gets drunk or high with teammates at parties and seeing the teammates is a bad thing. So there would be an argument for the other side too.When Haynesworth stepped on Gurode(?) and was suspended it's no prob to anyone that he's not allowed at the team's facility. Take away the priviledge to be in that multimillon dollar facility too! That makes sense to us I'd figure.I think it's just suspension=no team facility and is a blanket rule.I remember that whole thing by Favre. One thing that struck me was "why can't Favre stop by Koren's house after practice? spend time with him then?" What's wrong with him spending time with his family then with some player/friends in the evening? If all of us had a friend with a drinking prob and we were gonna help them it'd probably have to be after our work day. Our bosses wouldn't be too pleased if he was at our work.I don't know what the answer to all this is at all but it's quite complicated. Maybe the NFL has to review the transcripts/facts of the court case and make each suspension ruling on a case by case basis.

I understand the need for consistency, I just think things like being able to go to position meetings, working with coaches, and working out with the team, will make it much less likely that a player falls off the wagon than if he has to fill up his entire day with his own designs... idle hands...

 

[The Shizzle]

Favre should also get an award for interferring with others players contract situations too.

 

[VICK-tory]

I just cant believe Ko-Rubbish's name kepes coming up. What a waste of time..

 

[sho nuff]

Favre should also get an award for interferring with others players contract situations too.

Really? He interfered?Commenting to the press is now interfering?

 

[Banger]

Favre should also get an award for interferring with others players contract situations too.

Really? He interfered?Commenting to the press is now interfering? :(

uh-oh here we go again......I was wondering how long it was going to take for someone to spin this into a negative....

 

[Bri]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

I remember that whole thing by Favre. One thing that struck me was "why can't Favre stop by Koren's house after practice? spend time with him then?" What's wrong with him spending time with his family then with some player/friends in the evening? If all of us had a friend with a drinking prob and we were gonna help them it'd probably have to be after our work day. Our bosses wouldn't be too pleased if he was at our work.

Valid point, but this isn't like everyone else's work situation. These guys don't have much off time, and spend probably 90% of their day at the facility, don't they? Most guys anyway?

They go home in the evening and spend time with their families. When I used to watch Jets practice it wasn't necessarily 9-5 but it wasn't so far off. Sure some guys go early and stay late but you know that and well that's their prerogative. So I'd say Tuesday thru Friday(depending on travel and gameday) they could be with their family at home. Monday is often a short day of film I believe.ETA But again if this was a case by case basis then I'd "hear ya" if the guy was a "gym rat" but if he bails first chance he gets to go home then...I don't know. Also, family is a real important base of sorts for people overcoming an addiction so seeing them means not seeing the team and...like I said I don't know the solution, it's quite complicated.

 

[Bri]

Favre has a point here. Suspending the player is more than enough punishment and stigma to provide a disincentive for players to use substances that are banned by the league or abuse alcohol - once theyve slapped they player with that penalty, its just cruel to ostracize them from their teammates, and really could lead to their problem getting worse, not better.

I don't disagree with the above but there's more to it.It could also be that the player gets drunk or high with teammates at parties and seeing the teammates is a bad thing. So there would be an argument for the other side too.When Haynesworth stepped on Gurode(?) and was suspended it's no prob to anyone that he's not allowed at the team's facility. Take away the priviledge to be in that multimillon dollar facility too! That makes sense to us I'd figure.I think it's just suspension=no team facility and is a blanket rule.I remember that whole thing by Favre. One thing that struck me was "why can't Favre stop by Koren's house after practice? spend time with him then?" What's wrong with him spending time with his family then with some player/friends in the evening? If all of us had a friend with a drinking prob and we were gonna help them it'd probably have to be after our work day. Our bosses wouldn't be too pleased if he was at our work.I don't know what the answer to all this is at all but it's quite complicated. Maybe the NFL has to review the transcripts/facts of the court case and make each suspension ruling on a case by case basis.

I understand the need for consistency, I just think things like being able to go to position meetings, working with coaches, and working out with the team, will make it much less likely that a player falls off the wagon than if he has to fill up his entire day with his own designs... idle hands...

True, routine is probably likely important to them. Family is too though, it's very tricky to make such a blanket rule.Some guys might prefer to do it "alone" and speak with a counselor or priest or somesuch. Then family and teammates are not such a big part. Really alot of variables here to hold everybody accountable to the same "punishment".(for lack of a better word)

 

[The Duff Man]

It is about time someone gave Farve the attention he deserves.

 

[datonn]

It is about time someone gave Farve the attention he deserves.

If Favre stumbled out of a bar stone-cold drunk, pooped in some old lady's purse, then drove his car through a red light into the side of an SUV on the way home, Green Bay fans would:A. Criticize the old lady for leaving her purse in a place where it was just sitting there, TEMPTING someone to poop in it.B. Criticize the driver of the SUV for being on the road that night.C. File a grievance with the City over the fact that the lights leading from the bar to Favre's home were red in the first place.I can be a bit of a at times myself. However, since I've started to really pay attention to NFL news (at a high level of detail) over the past few years, I've come to realize what COMPLETE homers many Packer fans can be. They are the epitome of "you're either with us or you're against us." Case in point: just you watch what happens if the team actually trades for Randy Moss.