I’ve never liked the Green Bay Packers but I have always appreciated Brett Favre.  Growing up a Lions fan I have spent much of my life watching him run all over my boys in blue and silver.  And he did with it grit, with sweat, with hard work and ingenuity - which has endeared him to millions, particularly the working class folks that make up the majority of the Upper Midwest.

But earlier this year, Favre retired.  Like many guys who spend their careers putting wear and tear on the body as a welder, a roofer, or a mechanic, eventually your mind is in it but your bones just aint.  And using very similar words, Brett said, in no uncertain terms that he was “done.”

However there’s a big part of the blue collar work ethic that Favre seems to be missing: being a man of your word.  For some time now, word has been leaking out that Favre wants back in.  No, he hasn’t said anything but his relatives have, his friends and his agent have.  But him?  Not a peep.  That is, until a few days ago when he came out and said, “Yeah, I want to return;” making sure to also share his shock that people are frustrated and annoyed at his last second, about-face.

Forget the fact that there is a billion dollar organization, players who’d like to fill his spot, and crazy ‘cheeseheads’ who all thought the Favre-era was over.  Apparently, in the Favre world, “done” doesn’t mean “done.”

But if people can’t trust what comes out of our mouths then they can’t trust what’s in our hearts.  An honestly, that’s why the Bible puts such an emphasis on being a straightforward, person of your word.  Jesus tells us to avoid saying things like, “I swear” or “I promise” or “Honest to God” but instead to just say, “Yes” or “No” and then follow through. (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12)  And if you don’t, then don’t be surprised when the world doesn’t buy what you’re selling the next time around.

I don’t fault the dude for having a change of heart.  I’ve been there.  Heck, everybody wants to call a “do-over” from time to time.  But there’s a way to go about it.  If you’ve made a promise to someone and there’s simply no way that you can keep it, you go directly to that person and ask them to be let out of it.  If they say “yes” then go in peace.  If they say, “no” then you need to live by your word.  (Exodus 4:18)  In doing so you both maintain your integrity and show proper respect to those you’ve been endebted to.

I have no doubt that if Favre had simply come forward to his employers and to the public saying, “Hey, I made a mistake.  I’d really like to come back and I’d like your support” that the world would have welcomed him back with a big Wisconsin embrace, and offered to throw back an “Schlitz” in celebration.  Unfortunately this shady attempt at a return has the guy running ’round his own words rather than running around the field.