I’ve labeled wide receivers Brandon Marshall, Terrell Owens and Dez Bryant as prima donnas.
I’ve stuck it to LeBron James, too.
But what about Brett Favre, the maybe-he-will, maybe-he-won’t quasi-quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings? Is he a selfish, me-first athlete? Or is he the ultimate warrior desperately trying to find a way to keep playing?
Either way, we will soon find out if the Favre saga is finally, mercifully coming to an end.
According to the NFL Network, Favre, 40, flew in a private plane from Hattiesburg, Miss., to Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday to meet with Dr. James Andrews to have his surgically repaired ankle examined.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said after Thursday’s practice that he had not heard from Favre about a visit to Andrews, but added that he expected to be in touch with the quarterback’s agent.
As the Vikings closed out training camp Thursday in steamy Mankato, Minn., defensive end Jared Allen told ESPN that he wants Favre to decide once and for all by the team’s third preseason game against Seattle on Aug. 28. Allen said that a decision is needed by then out of fairness to the team and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
Favre, FYI, missed training camp for the second straight year. It’s part of his game plan.
By most accounts, Favre has been popular with his teammates. And he sure tries hard to come across like just one of the guys — just check out his Wrangler jeans commercials.
He plays hard, plays with boyish enthusiasm, plays hurt.
But I also think Favre is selfish, and I think that selfishness has tarnished his legacy.
He might not need to attend training camp to become a better quarterback, but he needs to be there to be a better teammate.
Yes, I know, the Vikings were a Favre interception away from going to the Super Bowl last season. But sometimes the principle of the matter still matters, even in the big-money, big-ego world of pro sports.
And remember, it wasn’t so long ago that Favre criticized some former Packers teammates for holding out from training camp.
Trivia time
Who is the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl? (Answer below)
Polling
Wednesday’s “Lunch Special” poll asked readers if they see a World Series appearance in the Rockies’ near future. Apparently Rockies fans remain an optimistic crowd, despite the team’s disappointing season. More than 43 percent said the talent is there for a World Series trip within the next three years. About 35 percent said the Rockies wasted their best chance this season. A delusional 22 percent said they haven’t given up on a World Series this season.
Quotable
“OK isn’t good enough. We know that.” — Rockies manager after his club lost 4-0 to the Mets on Friday.
Blog spot
Sports Illustrated has the Colorado Buffaloes football team finishing 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12 this season. However, Denver Post CU writer Tom Kensler thinks the Buffs can go 6-6, maybe even 7-5.
In case you missed it
Embattled Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger no longer lists Findlay, Ohio as his hometown. Instead, the Steelers’ media guide now says Roethlisberger “hails” from a town in Ohio that does not exist.
His hometown is now listed as Cory Rawson, Ohio, in the media guide and all of their rosters, at Roethlisberger’s request.
According to Roethlisberger will only say that he did not actually live in Findlay, but went to Findlay High School. Rawson, Ohio, also in Hancock County, is 10 miles from Findlay. There is no Cory Rawson, Ohio, nor is there a Cory, Ohio, but there is a Mt. Cory which makes up part of the Cory-Rawson school district.
An Associated Press story says Roethlisberger made the change because he was displeased with unflattering comments made about him by some residents of Findlay after a March incident in which he was accused of sexual assault. The QB was not charged, but he’s under the cloud of six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Trivia answer
John Elway, who was 38 when he led the Broncos to a victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
