“3rd Time is a Charm”

Will fans ever see the legendary Brett Favre throw another pass in the NFL?

 Alright I had to do it.  As much as I am tired of hearing about this seemingly never-ending story on the ageless wonder who continues to make sure the media is entirely focused on him, it is the hottest topic going on in the sporting world.  Today has been a relatively slow day in the wide world of sports, and this is the “it” story of the day.  People love and hate to hear about number 4 all in one (many would say mostly hate).  There is no way to really explain the media phenomenon that is “The Brett Favre Saga.”  The best word I can think of to explain it is “enigma.”  This whole tale especially over the past few years has baffled the my mind, along with the entire sporting stratosphere.  There is no logic to it, but Favre is apparently retiring for a 3rd time according to many sources including the one and only Adam Schefter.  Could the 3rd time be a charm for this colossal figure? 

This saga continues to add to it’s already overly mysterious nature.  In Brett’s 2 previous retirements, most thought that he would not return.  This time, nobody saw the retirement coming.  Most people had been predicting the Vikings to be at the top of the NFC because they were “sure” that Brett Favre would return.  And I will admit, I was included in that bunch.  Brett might have had the best all around performance of his illustrious career last season.  He has a great team around him in Minnesota, which features a tenacious defense, and a plethora of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. 

So why now?  Why does he keep the world guessing?  In my eyes, Brett continues to do his best to demonstrate his masculinity and stature.  He is bigger than the game.  And he wants to make sure everyone knows it.  Sure the guy loves to play, but who needs to retire 2 times and return each time?  This guy over the past 3 years has completely destroyed the expression, “Perception is a reality.”  What people perceive about this guy, has never been and never will be the reality.  People a few years back perceived he was washed up and done.  He came back and had a solid year for the Jets.  Following his year-long vacation in New York, people once again perceived the guy as too old to come back.  Well wouldn’t you know it.  The man took your perception, made sure it was not a reality, and returned to the League.  In his year-long stay in Minnesota, the guy had a phenomenal all around year and surprised many including myself with his outstanding performance.  So following a heartbreaking loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, people perceived that this guy still had it and would be back for another run at the ring.  Well our perceptions were not Brett’s reality. 

I will say this though.  This could all just be a case of the little boy who cried wolf.  And Brett could secretly be planning on coming back.  I will not believe Favre is officially retired until Minnesota heads to the Superdome to take on the Saints in a Thursday night showdown on September 9th.  If Brett is not suited up on the sideline I will believe in his “retirement.”  Can Brett restrain himself from this most momentous of stages though?  Especially when he was so close last year?  We will find out.  People do not know what to perceive in this case now.  

Will Brett stay or go?  Nobody knows. 

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze. 

-TheSportsKraze 

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“Shalom Amare Stoudemire”

 A lot of growth has been seen this summer in former Phoenix Sun’s star Amare Stoudemire.  And I am not just talking about the obvious growth  he has made.  Sure the man continues to get older and more mature.  Big whoop, we all continue to get older, and some of us more mature.  Also there has been great growth financially.  I mean the guy did just ink a 5 year deal worth roughly 100 million dollars.  I wish we could all grow financially like that with one signature. But there has also been great cultural growth. 

There is much more than brawn and grit when trying to understand New York Knick's star, Amare Stoudemire.

Many are unaware, but NBA star Amare Stoudemire has been in Israel for the better part of the past month.  He claims to have Jewish roots on his mother’s side and is in the Holy Land to develop a better understanding of his Jewish heritage and the religion in general.  Amare has taken in all the sites.  Now I will admit, when I first saw that Amare was heading to Israel on my twitter account, I laughed a little.  He said he was going there to develop a better cultural understanding of Judaism and his roots.  It sounded like an excuse for a vacation to me.  But after watching a recent interview with Stoudemire taken in Israel, he really is getting the whole experience in the Jewish Homeland.

Check out the interview at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQPJ1Ujo7_U

The man even was able to speak a little Hebrew.  And I promise you, growing up in a Jewish household for the past 21 years, Amare spoke more Hebrew in this interview than the vast majority of us can speak.  He was familiar with some of the major Jewish holidays.  And said that he would go without bread during Passover and do his best to fast on Yom Kippur.  The man shed himself in a light, that I did not think was possible from following his career and exploits over the years.  There is much more to Amare than what meets the eye.

Now my question after seeing all this was, has Amare been working hard on his game this off-season?  I mean he is entering probably the most important year of his career.  New York is the most difficult city to be a professional athlete in the world.  The fans have swallowed up and spit out many a former superstar.  Amare just signed a huge payday.  The expectations have no ceiling from the fans.  And he failed in bringing a fellow superstar with him to the Big Apple, which was the original hope when the team signed him.  So he already failed the fans once before even stepping foot on the floor.  But in all seriousness, fans are going to expect him to come out and lead their team back to at least making the playoffs.  Has he been working on his game?  Has he been getting in tip-top shape?  From the sounds of this interview, he has been on a historical and cultural journey.  His basketball game has been put on the back-burner.  Amare has taken somewhat of a basketball hiatus.

Sure New York has one of the largest Jewish populations in the world.  But most of these people want Amare to perform well for the Knicks.  Sadly, they do not care if he is a cultured person who understands their religion.  All I have to say is, Stoudemire’s cultured nature has thoroughly impressed me.  But I also do not live in New York.  Fans will be impressed when the Knicks start winning games behind 20 and 10 performances from Stoudemire every night.

Well at least Amare can help his star power by speaking some Hebrew at local synagogues and demonstrating his knowledge and understanding of the Hebrew Nation.

But if I were Amare, I would say Shalom to Israel and come home soon.  It is time to work on your true calling son.

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze.

-TheSportsKraze

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