Harlan Couldn't Watch Favre vs. Packers

By Jay Sorgi from interview by Bill Michaels

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  • Brett Favre, Bob Harlan. | Photos: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MILWAUKEE - When the Green Bay Packers played against the Miinnesota Vikings and former quarterback Brett Favre on October 5th, it was the highest-rated cable television program in history.

But one man didn't watch: the man who ran the franchise for almost the entire time Favre spent in Green Bay, now-retired Packers President Bob Harlan.

"It's tough for me to watch him play for Minnesota," said Harlan in an interview on 620WTMJ's Sports Central with Bill Michaels.

In fact, he chose not to watch either contest, including the November 1st return to Lambeau Field.

More, including audio with the discussion about Ted Thompson, Harlan's proud moments and regrets as Packers President: 
• Big Unit Blog: Former Packers President Bob Harlan Speaks

"It totally killed me," admitted Harlan, who will be inducted into the Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame on Friday night.  "We not only didn't watch it, we didn't even listen on the radio.  I found things to do." 

Harlan discovered something else on the screen to see for the first meeting.

"That night they played over in Minnesota, my wife watched a movie, and at 2:00 a.m. I went downstairs, got the score and told her and that was it," said Harlan.

"A couple of weeks ago when they played at Lambeau, I couldn't bear to watch him come out of that tunnel with a Minnesota uniform on.  What I did was to go up to our place, put our outdoor furniture away.  I did some work on the yard.  I turned on (the TV for) the score at 6:30 p.m. (when the game was over.)"

Harlan said that he had two reasons for avoiding the Packers vs. Favre matchups.  One was the love for the Packers' franchise.

The other was his appreciation for what Favre did for the Packers over his 16-year career in Green Bay.

"We would not have had the success we had in the 90's if he wasn't a part of that foundation with Reggie, Ron and Mike Holmgren.  I appreciate that.  I'm not thrilled with what's happened recently.  I still will always have an appreciation for what he did for us, and he's probably still going to go down as the greatest player we've ever had.  I think you can't just forget what he contributed to this organization for a long, long time."