There are good reasons Favre gets a free pass from most fans and media, and it has to do with good will banked over the years. Aside from some problems with alcohol and painkillers and rowdiness very early in his career, he has led an exemplary public life. He doesn’t go out and brawl in bars, get caught with drugs, get mentioned in steroids scandals, rip teammates, demand trades, undermine coaches or otherwise bring disgrace upon himself, his family or his franchise.

He also handles the media well, which is important because the media is a conduit to the public, so by extension that means he also understands he has a responsibility as a leader to represent the team to fans. And he does, even though lately he’s been evasive about his intentions. But that’s understandable. Maybe he’s torn. Maybe he doesn’t know.

As a player, Favre’s popularity is the by-product of the virulent strain of competitiveness that has marked his entire career. He is a battler. He is the guy you grew up with who was always slightly better at everything than anyone else, simply because he willed it. Hard work certainly played a major role with Favre, but it was more than that. It was an innate sense that any endeavor would be a disappointment if he wasn’t successful at it. Americans especially can relate, because that spirit of competition is imbedded in this country’s fabric.

He has also received support when his wife was diagnosed with cancer and when his father passed away. The fact that he experienced these events so publicly drew him closer to his fans.

Of course, a less admirable trait of Americans is the willingness to disregard anyone who is no longer No. 1. Contrary to popular belief, sports fans in this country are more fickle than loyal. Maybe it’s the corrupting influence of too many big-money contracts and too many free-agent defections, but a player like Favre is given much less wiggle room than he might have once gotten.

Slide show   NFL week 16 See the best images from Sunday's action

There are still lots of people who appreciate him, especially on NFL telecasts. But they’re being assailed as cult members by an anti-Favre insurgency.

Not all NFL quarterbacks retire with their images and reputations intact. Johnny Unitas had a similar career path as Favre. He was given up on by his first team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had an incredible run as a Baltimore Colt. Then he stumbled at the end, finishing as a member of the San Diego Chargers. Favre is not likely to close his career in another town, like Unitas or Joe Montana. But he’s in danger of bowing out on a low note and feeding the naysayers.

Sometimes events can taint an entire career, like Rafael Palmeiro’s testimony to Congress and subsequent positive drug test. But in the case of Brett Favre, he’s just struggling. It happens to all athletes at some point. Yet the accolades will keep coming because he earned them. He’s being honored by most admirers for his body of work, not just a recent rash of interceptions.

Whether or not he returns next year, his place in NFL history is secure, no matter how many stones are thrown at it.