Culture

http://deadspin.com/5023095/brett-favres-text+messaging-habits-under-intense-scrutiny ESPN is once again pushing its "Brett Favre's itchy" story out front, grasping at any and all tenuous confirmations that Brett is strongly considering un-retiring. The top story on ESPN.com for the past six hours has been "Report: Favre sends text message to Packers GM Thompson", which gives a little credence to Favre's alleged itchiness that the network reported with all of the subtlety of an elephant fart late last week. The story credits several other outlets with breaking the text- messaging news, citing WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee's report that Favre sent a text to Packers GM Ted Thompson on Saturday and that Thompson kindly brushed him off until after he finished his vacation. This isn't going to end anytime soon, until somebody fesses up in a live press conference. Will Brett Favre actually have to retire again in the span of six months in order to keep these "rumors" from circulating? It appears that's the only thing that ESPN will take as a definitive "no" at this point. Deadspin 7/8/08

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=432426 If Brett Favre wants to pitch his services to the Green Bay Packers, it looks as if he's going to have to wait. According to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, the quarterback's request to speak with general manager Ted Thompson was rebuffed via text message over the weekend. Thompson reportedly responded that he was on vacation and would speak with Favre later. On Monday, Sports Illustrated reported on its website that Thompson had been ignoring phone calls from Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook. Teammate Al Harris said on ESPN on Monday that Favre told him he has "the itch." Multiple media outlets in Wisconsin have reported that Favre recently asked for his release after contentious conversation about a possible return to football. The league's all-time leader passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, attempts, interceptions and wins by a quarterback, Favre retired from the NFL in March after 17 seasons, the final 16 with Green Bay. The Packers spent the offseason readying for life without Favre, positioning 2005 first-round pick Aaron Rodgers as the starter and selecting Louisville's Brian Brohm in the second round and LSU's Matt Flynn in the seventh round of the April draft. Sportingnews 7/8/08