Not From The Onion?

You can imagine why I would think this was from The Onion and not the news:

Rams called Brett Favre

Was it for real? Who knows. But if they did, THAT is desperation. Actually the Rams say:

“It was just a joke,” a team source told NFL.com. “It was just a throwaway line. Doesn’t anyone have a sense of humor? (Link)

Sadly, this is also NOT from The Onion.

Brett Favre admits some memory loss since retirement

He said that he couldn't remember his daughter playing soccer. Then the real quote that names the danger:

"I think after 20 years, God only knows the toll that will be taken as time goes by," Favre told Andy Pollin and Jonny Saraceno on SportsTalk 570 in Washington D.C. on Thursday morning. (Link)

Yes, one can say he was partly to blame. He played through the injuries, perhaps not admitting to the signs of concussion. He had one goal- to be the best and keep at it even when he shouldn't have. No, the NFL is not a parent protecting children.

But it has become more and more clear over the past few years that the NFL as well as our overall sports culture plays into the picture as well. They (and we) have often minimized and even downright denied the real dangers. Now it's coming into the open. 

I'm as guilty as any sports fan, of course. Favre gave me many a wonderful Sunday afternoon and a Super Bowl win for the Packers. No one of us made him do it, but there are enough fans like me whose very presence and response encourages the behavior and attitude.

I am glad the NFL and many others are now doing something about it. I am just sorry it wasn't sooner. 

(Sidenote to Greg: Brett? Brett who?)