Monday, July 14, 2008
Brett Favre's fans came to his defense yesterday, rallying outside Lambeau Field to pressure the Green Bay Packers to reinstate him as the starting quarterback.
The crowd of more than 100 chanted "We want Brett," and carried signs reading, "Favre for President" or "Favre Forever." Many in the parking lot wore No. 4 jerseys, tossed footballs and grilled.
"We've always appreciated the passion of our fans," the Packers said in a statement. Team spokesman Jeff Blumb said there would be no other comment.
The rally in Green Bay, Wis., was the brainchild of brothers Adam and Erick Rolfson, who on Friday tried to think of a way to keep Favre in Green Bay. Another rally is planned for tonight in suburban Milwaukee and every Sunday thereafter at Lambeau Field until Favre is back.
The brothers also are demanding an emergency meeting of stockholders "to help control the fate of our quarterback," Erick Rolfson said.
A message left for Favre's agent, James"Bus" Cook, wasn't immediately returned.
Favre retired March 6 after 16 seasons with the team. He changed his mind and asked for his release because it appeared the Packers were not receptive to having him play again.
On Saturday, General Manager Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy said they didn't plan to grant Favre's request. And while Thompson said Favre could rejoin the team in a "different role," the Packers were committed to going with Aaron Rodgers as their starter.
· HOCKEY: All-star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career.
"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice, as well," Lightning Vice President of Hockey Operations Brian Lawton said in a team statement.
The 28-year-old forward, who helped Tampa Bay win its only Stanley Cup championship four years ago, had one season left on a four-year, $27.4 million contract. The new deal begins after next season.
· CYCLING: Riccardo Ricco calls the mountains "my turf," and he knows how to protect it.
The Italian showed his strength in the Pyrenees by winning the ninth stage of the Tour de France while Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen kept the yellow jersey. This was Ricco's second stage victory in three mountain stages run so far in cycling's premier event.
Nicknamed "The Cobra," Ricco started with a sore right knee from a crash Saturday. He struck when his rivals appeared vulnerable, bolting from the pack in the steepest part of the final ascent on the 139-mile ride from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre.
Kirchen was happy to hold the overall lead for a fourth straight day. Top contender Cadel Evans of Australia struggled not to lose ground after crashing midway through the stage.
Ricco breezed past a few breakaway riders and finished 1 minute 4 seconds ahead of his closest challenger, Vladimir Efimkov of Russia. The Italian was 1:17 in front of Kirchen, Evans and most of the other favorites.
Ricco is not a strong time-trial rider and was considered a long shot at the outset to win the three-week race, which ends July 27 in Paris. He said he wasn't even originally scheduled to race in the Tour and had to persuade the manager of his Saunier Duval team to let him ride.
· TENNIS: The Washington Kastles defeated the Newport Beach Breakers, 18-16, last night in California. The Kastles (4-3) inched above .500 in Serena Williams's final match with the team.
-- From News Services and Staff Reports
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