Photos: Is this Really Brett Favre’s Ankle?

by Spencer Loomis

No wonder Brett Favre said immediately following this year’s dramatic NFC Championship that his return for the 2010 season was “highly unlikely”.  Since the interview, he has weakened his stance to just “unlikely”.   One thing is for sure.  It will be difficult to call him a Diva or question his toughness anymore.  That is if the photographs that Favre’s agent Bus Cook provided of the legendary quarterback’s ankle and hamstring the day following the game are legitimate. Rick Cleveland of Mississippi’s Clarion-Ledger was talking to Cook about his client Antonio Johnson, starting defensive tackle for the Super Bowl bound Colts, when Cleveland inquired as to the health of Favre.

Photo of Brett Favre's Hamstring?

“Beat up,” Bus answered. “You should see the photos of his ankle and his hamstring the day after the game.”

As any interested Favre follower would respond, Cleveland answered that he’d like to see the pictures. Cook e-mailed the pictures to Cleveland and although the pictures don’t show Favre’s face, the bruising does look to be in areas where Favre was hit hardest by the Saints. The photos are being widely criticized for being photo-shopped and “FAKE!” as the online sports community is skeptical regarding any outrageous image on the internet.

Brett Favre's ankle?

There is no doubt that Brett’s indecisiveness has brought upon critism that he is a diva off the field.  But shouldn’t sports fans give Favre the benefit of the doubt that the photos are, in fact of him?  Hasn’t he earned that right?  Brett Favre is arguably the NFL’s all time greatest iron-man, enduring endless injuries, deaths in the family, and pain killer addiction to start more consecutive games than anyone ever.

These pictures are a testament to his toughness. Anyone else would’ve sat out the rest of that NFC Championship, but in classic Favre fashion he showed his resilience and stuck it out. I criticized Favre for not running on his final offensive play of the Vikings season, but after seeing these pictures I’m shocked he could even stand in the pocket.

With yet another piece of evidence added to the lore of Favre’s iron-man status, we wait to see if he will show his resilience in yet another way in the coming weeks. It’s in his character to bounce back, so how can you believe he won’t do it again by returning to the Vikings for one more shot at glory.