“Dent to Cotchery” Newest Jets TD Combination

For nearly two full decades now, Packers Nation has morphed itself into a similar version of Gotham City. However, instead of defending its citizens from mob bosses and schizophrenic, sociopath villains, the Packers Nation’s White Knight has fought formidable opposition season after season, often sacrificing top-dollar payment so the organization could acquire other valuable players. A comparison to Harvey Dent, the District Attorney of Gotham City in the 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight only seems fitting.

On a late September afternoon in 1992, after the then starting quarterback Don “The Majik Man” Majkowski tore a ligament in his ankle, the Brett Favre Era began in Green Bay. Despite playing poorly, Favre, as he seemed to do his entire career, led a roaring comeback to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 24-23. In 1994, Favre did something that hadn’t been done since the years Vince Lombardi roamed the sidelines of Lambeau Field: made the playoffs two consecutive seasons.

Just as Favre had returned the Packers to the playoffs and a glorified state, Harvey Dent vowed to give back Gotham to its citizens, removing the city from the grasps of criminals and the corrupted. His “I Believe in Harvey Dent” slogan, good looks, and, most importantly, the promise of being a savior to the city led to his election and allowed him to begin his pursuit of destroying all organized crime in Gotham. Eventually, Dent would set his eyes on the head of the Gotham mob, Sal Maroni—the Super Bowl of criminals.



In 1996, after a 13-3 season and defending their home field in the playoffs as they had always done, the Packers returned to the Super Bowl, behind the play of their then two-time MVP, Brett Favre. In one of the most hallowed seasons in Packers’ history, Favre broke a franchise record by throwing 39 touchdown passes. Accompany this dominant statistical performance with this anecdote. Prior to the start of the 1996 season, Favre found himself in the hospital and then in rehab due to his addiction to and dependence on vicodin. While any similar situation may ruin other player’s careers, or at least taint the reputation of the player amongst the fans, the contrary was true for Favre. Because of his charismatic demeanor, competitive drive, and childlike approach to football, Favre not only maintained his role as fan favorite, but gained even more fan support as the Packers won more and more games.



Dent avoided condemnation from the citizens of Gotham for offenses that warranted
their disapproval. In a very drastic and irrational fashion, Dent opts to arraign hundreds of linked mob members at the same time. In most cases, the average citizen would find the situation absurd and believe the authority in charge is making a mockery of the justice system. However, the citizens embraced the bold move by Dent and saw it as an opportunity for the streets to be free of crime for a short period of time. Also, after Dent falsely identified himself as Batman, he still managed to receive support from clapping bystanders, despite his failure to come forward sooner before innocent people died.

Why do Favre and Dent slide by without some sort of expected punishment? They are publicly seen as the saving force behind their respective organizations.

However, the most important connection to be made between the two White Knights is portrayed as the underlying theme throughout the entire plot of The Dark Knight.

“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

Harvey Dent’s transformation into a villain was blatant and easy to see from the cushiony chairs of the cinema near you. His girlfriend was killed when he was unintentionally chosen to live. Half of his face was burnt from an explosion and he chose to not accept skin grafts or pain medication. He was introduced to the idea of unleashing his anger by the Joker, which he did, leaving his victims subject to chance. It is simple and obvious. His inhumane activities are brought on by rage and revenge. He chose to put himself and his problems above those of the city of Gotham. He outlived his hero-like persona.



Brett Favre’s fall was just as obvious. On March 4th, it looked like he was going to avoid the giant plunge from hero to villain when he announced his retirement. However, his provoking itch, that annoying, stupid itch, to play enticed him to request reinstatement, despite the fact the Packers had moved on and appointed Aaron Rodgers the new leader of the Pack. Brett pleaded he just wanted to play. Unfortunately, Favre’s supposed desire to “just want to play” must have been on an extended coffee break while Brett failed to arrive at practice the first day he was eligible. Demanding his release, which was thankfully not granted, was the ultimate symbol of Brett’s plummet to “villainhood.” For years, the Packers Nation believed that Brett sacrificed himself and his own statistical glory and fame so the team would be successful. By releasing Favre, the Packers would have gotten nothing other than more cap room, which would have been completely unnecessary as they already were $30 million below the cap. Brett didn’t and doesn’t care about the Packers. It has been about his personal desire to play. Packers’ fans have been duped by their own White Knight.



Favre’s career in Green Bay was phenomenal, but his inability to walk away from the game and stay away provided an inside look to Brett Favre, the villain.