The day before Tractor-Gate Bowl I (or whatever moniker you choose for this contest), my wife and I happened to bump into a friend in church.

The Mass was done, and we got around to catching up. The subject came to tonight's showdown in the Metrodome between the Packers and the team with the quarterback who played for them for 16 years.

From our friend, the words "I hate Favre" came out of her mouth. In a church, no less.

Trust me. I have had plenty of radio time, on-line analysis stories, blog entries, and other things where I have given my opinion on all the things Brett Favre has done, lies he's told, backstabbing, Machiavellian manipulations, etc. etc. in this 19-month sad saga.

In fact, I'm now convinced that the moment he decided to "retire" the first time, he was never planning on retiring, and from the moment he teared up inside Lambeau Field on March 6th, 2008, his watery eyes were set on wearing purple in Minnesota.

Regardless of all the antipathy I've felt toward what he's done, I cannot bring myself to say the words "I hate Brett Favre."

Why?

Click here to read the reasons.