Marc's Remarks:

Hayward Buzzer-beater Brings Hope to Himself and Jazz Fans

By: Marcus Jensen

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward shoots a buzzer-beater 

versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Melissa Majchrzak

3.4 seconds left on the clock and the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers are tied. LeBron James had just evened the game with three free-throws. It's do-or-die. Overtime or game-winner.

Forward Gordon Hayward took the inbound and received a screen which happened to knock James to the ground. He dribbled right, stepped back and fired a fadeaway over Tristan Thompson.

As the ball went through the hoop, the crowd erupted in approval. But there was something different about this buzzer-beater over any that I have seen previously. It was the look on the face of Hayward after the shot found the net.

Hayward had a grin from ear to ear. I don't know exactly what went on in his head, but I can venture a guess, because I have seen that face before. It was joy, but also a sense of relief. After all he had gone through, all the talk that had surrounded him through the offseason. After he had signed the maximum contract to stay in Utah. He knew what he just did was special for his team and for the fans.

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward celebrates with teammates 

after hitting a game-winner against the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Photo by Andrew Bernstein.

The Jazz had offered Hayward a deal for him to stay in Utah, somewhere around $12 million a year. Hayward and his agent asked for $13 million, which the Jazz refused. Hayward then shopped himself around the league and received an offer from Charlotte to the tune of a maximum contract, $16 million.

The Jazz were at an impasse, match Hayward's maximum deal or let yet another player leave the team in free agency – the new face of the franchise. The Jazz matched the offer.

Then came the reports that the Jazz had matched the offer, much to the chagrin of many Jazz fans. "Why wouldn't you give him $13 million but would give him $16 million?" "Hayward isn't a max-deal kind of player."

Hayward was even asked this in a press conference, "Is it your goal this season to live up to the contract you got?" To the dismay of those same Jazz fans, Hayward said he didn't feel like he had to live up to anything. He had received the contract and that was that. Perhaps Hayward realized that wasn't the right thing to say, even if that is how he truly felt.

His contract said that he was now "the man." He is the number-one option for the Jazz and he is expected to live up to that standard every night for the foreseeable future. That is a big weight to carry, even for the ninth pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. It was something that many fans weren't sure he could handle.

In that moment, after sinking the game-winning shot against the team with the best player in the NBA, the look Hayward had on his face was one of relief. He had proven himself to the fans. He had proven himself to the organization. He had proven himself to himself.

Yes, it is only one game. Hayward has had game-winners before. But there was something different about this one. It seemed, after some difficult seasons, Hayward was finally enjoying basketball again. He believed in himself, his teammates and his coach. Hayward sees the upward swing the team is in now. He sees their arrow pointing up and he is part of it.

Hayward said on his blog that he believes this team can win each and every game it plays. He didn't have that confidence in years past. And for the most part, he was right. The Jazz have lost a few close games. This isn't the team being pummeled night in and night out. This is a competitive team. Even if the record doesn't show it, this team has improved leaps and bounds already over last season. This team has new life it had been lacking.

Hayward is a big part of that. He is playing at an all-star level early in the season. He has taken the leap that all Jazz fans expected of him. There have still been some bumps but the improvement is obvious. The future is bright in Utah. The present is fun to watch. The past is finally behind them. It will be a fun ride.

No Hard Feelings: Favre's Return Reminds a Fan Why He First Started Loving the Game

Marc's Remarks

No Hard Feelings: Favre's Return Reminds a Fan Why He First Started Loving the Game

By Marcus Jensen

Brett Favre runs onto the field after the
Packers defeated the New England Patriots
35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI.

This past week, the Green Bay Packers announced that three-time MVP and Super Bowl XXXI-winning quarterback Brett Favre would have his jersey number retired and would be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame.

Favre was traded to the Packers from the Atlanta Falcons during the 1992 season and became the starter soon afterward. Favre went on to set nearly every passing record, including most touchdown passes, most yards and most completions. Beginning week four of the 1992 season, Favre started 253 consecutive games for the Packers over 16 seasons.

Favre announced his retirement from football in the 2008 offseason, leading the way for current starter Aaron Rodgers to take the starting job. After attempting to make a comeback as the Packers' starter, Favre was traded to the New York Jets. He later played for the Packers' rival, the Minnesota Vikings, for two seasons, leading them to the NFC championship game in the 2009 season.

Favre officially retired from football in 2010, amassing 508 touchdown passes, 71,838 yards passing, 6,300 completions and 336 interceptions, all NFL records.

Bad blood existed between Favre and Packers General Manager Ted Thompson. Bad blood also existed between many Packer fans when Favre went to play for the Vikings. This week's announcement is an attempt to put those to rest, although some Packer fans still hold a grudge against Favre, and say they would boo him when he makes his way back onto the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field.

I have been a fan of football for as long as I can remember. But I didn't have a favorite football team growing up. I would just watch the games on Sunday and Monday, enjoying the action.

That was until one particular year. I can't remember the game, I can't remember the score, but I remember the team. It was the Green Bay Packers. I sat on my couch at home watching no. 4 running and slinging the ball around the field. I remember seeing his face as he threw a touchdown pass. The pure elation that he showed captured me that day. I became a Favre fan.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre lifts receiver Greg
Jennings onto his back after throwing for his record 421 touchdown,
surpassing Dan Marino as the all-time leader.

Favre played with a passion and a love for the game that I had never seen before and have never seen since. He hooked me into football becoming my favorite sport and the Packers as my favorite team. Watching a grown man act like an excited kid was something refreshing. I owe Favre for making me the fan that I am.

I still remember the game against the Vikings where Favre became the all-time touchdown leader. He threw the ball to Greg Jennings. He then went on to rush down the field with his arms up and a huge smile on his face. He then lifted Jennings onto his shoulders and carried him a few yards down the field before running with his teammates back to the bench. Moments like that are vintage and classic Favre.

 I remember sitting through a 4-12 season. I also remember sitting through Brett's final season, going 13-3 before losing in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants in 2008. I remember the highs, with an incredible throw to win the game, and the lows, with Brett trying to make something happen, before losing the game on his trademark interception. Every game, he played the same way– as a kid out in the backyard, slinging a football around without a care in the world. No wonder his nickname was "the Gunslinger."

Then Favre gave his memorable retirement speech, unbeknownst to anyone as something that would later be taken back. He cried as he announced giving up the game that he loved. That speech still lives on in me. His actual retirement speech didn't give the same feeling.

Then the Packers moved on. After a struggle in his first season, going 6-10, Aaron Rodgers hasn't missed the playoffs for the Packers. And Favre went on to have a successful season for an arch-rival, before having a nightmare final season in Minnesota.

Now, I never held a grudge against Favre for wanting to continue his career after the only team he had really played for had moved on. I didn't even hold a grudge when he went to a division rival. I missed him at times during that 6-10 season, but I continued as a true green and gold fan.

And why would I hold a grudge? Brett was my favorite player. He helped me learn to love the game of professional football. And after he left, another future Hall-of-Famer took his place. Rodgers has provided the Packers with a Super Bowl of his own, along with being the most efficient quarterback of all-time.

Why would I hold a grudge when the Packers have continued the success that Favre started – a return to glory of the most storied franchise in the NFL? Why would I be mad when a man wanted to continue to play the game he loved? Can I blame a guy for wanting to play in a dome in a familiar division? Especially with him staying meaning that we would have probably lost Aaron Rodgers to free agency.

If I am able to go to Lambeau Field when Favre's number is retired and he runs out one last time from the tunnel, I would be the loudest fan in the stadium. He not only gave me many memories as a Packers fan, but he engrained in me a love of football that I hope to never lose. I owe Brett Favre for the love of the game that I have.

As a Packers fan and as a Favre fan, I urge all fellow Packer fans to look back on what Favre did for the franchise. Now look at where we are now. We have the best quarterback in the league behind center. We have another championship in Title Town. Our arrow is pointed up this season. We are one of the few franchises that can say with certainty that we are title-contenders this year.

The Packers have been better over the last four seasons than they maybe have ever been since the days of Lombardi and the days of consecutive league titles. What is there to be mad about? Let's enjoy the ride. Go Pack go!