Bucks
Women Quarterback Poll – Brady or Farve
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Whenever our daughter Anne sends a suggestion for a column, I listen. Anne is a pro football fan and has plenty of observations about team talent. She called me the other day, wondering how my female readers would respond to this question: if you could take one of these two quarterbacks to Bermuda for a weekend, whom would you take…Tom Brady or Brett Favre?
At this writing on the eve of the National Football League divisional championships, the Green Bay Packers (Favre) and the New England Patriots (Brady) were poised to represent the NFL in the Super Bowl. We’ll see if that prediction stood up.
I was amazed at the women’s responses. First with the exception of only one, the 31 ladies that I interviewed actually knew who Brady and Favre are. Second, while the ages of the women ranged from 21 to 76, their responses were remarkably similar.
And the result? Half said they’d take Brady…half chose Favre. None voluntarily disclosed what they’d do with these quarterbacks once they landed in Bermuda. Since I’m a devout coward, I didn’t press them further.
The women I interviewed came from various groups and ages: Mighty Betsy’s book club (ages 65 to 75…I think), the University Barge Club (ages 21 to 50), the Allentown Symphony (ages 50 to 60), the American Automobile Association (local board members, ages 50 to 70), and the Philadelphia Singers (ages 25 to 50).
Let’s look at the two quarterbacks. According to my internet Google search, Tom Brady is 30, 6’ 4,” and 225 pounds. Born in California and a University of Michigan grad, Brady is in his 8th season and has 50 touchdown passes, 4,806 passing yards, and just 8 interceptions. By all athletic standards, Brady is a phenom.
Favre is older. Google says that he’s 38, 6’ 2,” and 222 pounds. He’s a grad of Southern Mississippi University and is in his 17th season. Favre has thrown 414 touchdown passes and is the all time NFL leader in pass completions (5,021 completions). He’s second in passing yards (57,500 yards). Remarkably durable, Favre started 237 straight contests and placed just behind Tiger Woods (golf) and Michael Jordan (basketball) in America’s favorite male athlete preference.
My favorite female response came from a gal in my rowing club. “In reference to the Tom Brady versus Brett Favre question, absolutely Brett Favre,” she began. “Positively! Aside from him [Favre] being more my type in general, it’s hard for us [women] to forgive Tom Brady for leaving Bridget Moynihan knocked up and then dating Giselle Bundchen. Even if it’s a week in Bermuda, you have to trust the guy [Favre]. Besides, I think Tom Brady has a blank (not much between the ears) stare. Brett Favre has it all.”
“My vote is for Brady,” a 40-year-old gal countered. “He’s a hunk!”
“Tom Terrific,” a 60-year-older told me of her choice for Brady. Her two daughters in their 30’s and 40’s agree. “He’s the best in the business,” she quipped. (I didn’t ask her what she meant by business.)
“I’m for Brett Favre,” another 30-year-old rower confided. “Besides, the Green Bay Packers are from Wisconsin, and that’s where my family comes from. They’d kill me if I weren’t for Brett.”
“He’s a jerk but I’d take Brady,” another 25 year old rower added. “I’d just sit on the beach.”
One of my colleagues is 74. She’s for Brady. “Anyone who calls his father after a football game must be a nice person,” she said.
“I’m for Brett Favre,” another chimed in. Of the gals on my list, this 72-year-older probably knew the most about the NFL. “It will be Favre’s swan song,” she predicted. She hopes that Favre retires with another Super Bowl ring.
Five Favre supporters had similar comments ranging from, “He’s a family man;” “He’s cute;” “He’s seasoned;” to “He’s showing his age…that’s why I like him.”
After all was said and done, the women split evenly on the Brady-Favre poll.
I was too timid to ask what they meant by thoughts, like… “He’s seasoned…or he’s the best in the business.” But it didn’t take much imagination to understand what “jerk” meant. And it’s pretty difficult to miss when a woman rolls her eyes and swoons.
I hope I didn’t give these ladies scurrilous notions. And if I did, I’ll blame it on Anne Meredith.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith