Packers' shareholders split on Favre decision

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Online comments solicited by a newspaper showed a split among Green Bay Packer shareholders over how the team should deal with quarterback Brett Favre, who retired in March and now wants to play again.

Thousands of the shareholders, most of whom hold largely symbolic shares that can't be sold, are expected at Lambeau Field Thursday for the annual meeting of the NFL's only publicly owned team.

The session gives the participants a chance to tour the stadium and get a report on the franchise. President and CEO Mark Murphy is to present the summary of the annual report, and general manager Ted Thompson is to give an overview of the team.

It also gives shareholders a chance to ask questions about things like the way Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have handled the Favre matter.

The three-time NFL MVP recently asked the Packers to release him from his contract, but the Packers declined. He would have to ask the NFL commissioner to be reinstated to rejoin the Packers. With Aaron Rodgers due to take over as starting quarterback, the Packers are believed to be considering trade possibilities for Favre if he were to return.

In advance of Thursday's meeting, the Green Bay Press- Gazette solicited online comments from shareholders and got more than 120 responses.

Some samples:

• "My thoughts are it's time to let Brett Favre go," wrote shareholder Jerry Jenkins of Charleston, W.V.

• "I will not be attending the Packers shareholders meeting because I am too angry at the Three Stooges - Ted Thompson, Mark Murphy and Mike Mc- Carthy," wrote Greg Sherwood of Austin, Texas. "Brett Favre is the best chance we have of making the Super Bowl."

• "It is time for Ted Thompson and Brett ... to meet face-toface and put the current mess behind them and get on with going for the Super Bowl with Brett at QB," wrote Richard Schoenfeld of Overland Park, Kan. "Can someone talk some sense into both?"

• "Get a mediator, work in the here and now and end this nonsense with a win-win approach," wrote Marty Quinn of East Chicago, Ind. "This should have never escalated to this level."