I never watched football until 1992 in Milwaukee. I had just joined Visuals Plus (the late Milwaukee slide/video/meeting company) after a two year no-compete with the guys at Tri-Marq. Two Years! I suppose that’s a backhanded compliment.

Anyway, I went on a few sales calls with John Platta, now of Media Dynamics, and all he could talk about on Monday mornings was football (which, from a sales dynamics point of view, is better than the weather.)

In order to appear savvy, I decided to watch the following Sunday. Green Bay, of course. It was the Sunday Don Makowski went down, and Brett Favre started his rise up.

I’ve been hooked these past 15 years on Favre and the Packers. Favre has a tremendous personality, back story, and, oh, yes, talent. His personality shows through his play, and, with his mentoring of this young team, expect dozens of "How to Manage like Brett Favre" business books soon. (Mark my words, Jack.)

With Favre, It’s been up and down and fun all the way.

Anyway, on foggy cable (it was installed Friday but with a diminished signal (which will be taken care of next week some time– after the game, natch) I was amazed at the amount of time ESPN spent on today’s Championship games.

They of course are trying to turn it into one big soap opera story– Favre and his family, his demons, his NFL records, his quest for excellence and a second ring; Ryan Grant’s rise to greatness and face-off today with his old teammates; the Patriots perfect record, etc.

In a press conference with Packer’s coach Mike McCarthy Sunday night, McCarthy was asked about the prospect of Grant facing his former teammates. He said something to effect of "we try not to follow the storylines…We didn’t follow the storyline today" (new Packers Coach vs. SuperBowl-winning coach Mike Holmgen.)

He was crediting, in a way, the power of  good videostory– the kind ESPN had been creating all week.

Stories are powerful, and, when good, distracting (or focusing, from my viewpoint.) McCarthy as much as said so. "We focus on the game."

And that too, for all us storytellers, is a backhanded compliment.

Go Pack.

Lehigh Valley (the general area where I am now) is today Pack Country. As Philadelphia fans, they want deperately for the Giants to lose.

Me too. Sorry, Dennis (Lee, my New York City brother.)

Brien Lee

UPDATE: My brother called last night about 10pm to apologize to me. One more year, Brett, one more year.