The caterwauling and deep disillusionment about Favre’s behavior the past few years feels akin to that. He’s surprised some people. But besides being tedious along the way, what else has Favre done that’s so terribly wrong? The Packers kicked him out, so is it so bad for him to want revenge? He’s not the first jock that’s self-centered or couldn’t stay retired (in the Legends category alone, see Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, and so on ...)

Favre’s biggest crime has been that he wasn’t who we thought he was, and whom we helped build him up to be by ignoring his flaws.

Like? He has the most interceptions in NFL history, not just the most passing yardage or TDs. Yet few challenged his carte blanche until lately.

Now it’s sometimes hard to tell if people are really mad at Favre himself, or if they just miss the idea of him that’s been lost. Whatever the reason, nobody’s much charmed anymore by the down-home stories of how he mows his own Mississippi lawn or practices with the local varsity team. All is not forgiven. The backlash against Favre has been as strong as the uncomplicated affection he used to enjoy. People thought they knew him. Now they wonder what’s authentic.

Still, on the field, anyway, this will always remain true: Favre is the best antidote to the robo-quarterbacks who populate the NFL today, consulting those laminated playlists on their wristbands and contentedly throwing 5-yard dump passes again and again. Their QB ratings may tick up. But their contribution to the soul or swagger or belief of their teams is negligible.

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Favre’s insistence on being different is one reason to be thankful he’s still around at 39, even if he also drives you crazy. Favre is consistent that way. Whether he’s flip-flopping about retirement or unconscionably flinging passes into triple coverage, Favre has never behaved like a man who thought ahead to consequences. He’s never seemed inhibited by what could go wrong. He’s not lying when he says he just wings it.

No one will be stunned if Favre throws three picks when the Packers visit Monday. Even his haters will watch. Because he might just throw six touchdowns passes as well. The electric way Favre rallied Minnesota Sunday will only add to the buildup. But remember this too: When Favre gets too emotional, you never know what you’re going to get. The Good Brett or the Bad Brett? The genius improviser or incorrigible risk-taker?

NFL teams spend every game week — even entire off-seasons — preparing and studying to take the schoolyard out of the game.

And every week, boom or bust, Favre puts the uncertainty right back in.

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