Few athletes can identify with one franchise like Favre and the Packers. And few franchises have tested the loyalty of their fan base like the Packers this offseason. Think of how you'd feel if John Stockton was dealt to the Knicks late in his career. Or if you're a Broncos fan, and if Denver would have dealt John Elway late in his career.

I've been told and I recently heard on a radio show that real men don't change their favorite team. I disagree. People can change jobs when they have lousy employers, and they can get divorces. But no matter what happens, they are to keep rooting for the same team.

It must be because of all those free tickets owners and players send to their loyal fans. And because of how affordable tickets are to pro games these days. It's also because owners would never do anything as shady as coming up with something like a Personal Seat License (PSL), which gives fans the right to buy the season tickets they were already going to buy.

Oops, bad examples.

Back in January, I didn't know which era ended when the Packers' season stopped one game short of the Super Bowl. We all know now it was the Favre era in Green Bay that came to a close. I'm not happy with it, but I'm not going to let a couple of doofuses like Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy ruin 16 years of memories.

I'll still wear green and gold on my sleeve. But go ahead and make some room for me on that Jets bandwagon.

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E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com