ESPN FINALLY EMBRACES THE “HOT” FAVRE STORY

Now that Brett Favre has abandoned his flat denial and has admitted to talking with former Lions CEO Matt Millen about football matters as the Lions prepared to play the Packers in Week Two, ESPN has lifted its embargo on the story. (Though it’s not yet on ESPN.com, it’s being discussed on ESPN.) We’ve also obtained the internal communication that finally gives ESPN employees permission to mention the story that previously received the Lord Voldemort treatment. Here it is: This story is now HOT. We had not reported it because it was unsubtantiated [sic]. Today, however, Favre addressed the issue in a public forum so we will go with it. Use this lead-in: On Sunday, Fox Sports reported that ex-Packers quarterback Brett Favre had been in contact with the Detroit Lions before their Week 2 game with the Packers, educating the Lions coaches on Green Bay’s offensive schemes. The Lions, by the way, lost that game 48-25. Later that day, Favre denied the report in a text message to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Today at Jets camp, Favre addressed that report in his weekly press conference…. WE WILL BE BRINGING IN SOUND FROM THIS SESSION. Frankly, we’re a bit confused. If, as ESPN advised its staff earlier in the week, “WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE SOURCES THIS REPORT IS NOT TRUE,” why doesn’t the suggested lead-in mention this? And what is ESPN’s position now? Do they still believe the report is not true? If so, why acknowledge it now? Finally, we find the “by the way” reference to the final score to be more than a bit misleading. The Lions came from 21 points behind to take the lead in the fourth quarter, before resorting to their more usual performances of the Matt Millen era. Though any information from Favre didn’t help the Lions win, it very well might have helped them slow down the Green Bay offense long enough to get back into the game after falling into a deep hole early.