ESPN isn’t reporting this, as it happens, at least not that we could find.  Why not? Now, we know sexual misconduct is icky, and sports figures are meant to be role models, and six of them have been cleared anyhow, but we still think this is news. What gives, ESPN.com?

By the way, the cleared players are Matt Flynn, Khalil Jones, Josh Sitton, Korey Hall, Brad Jones and Clay Matthews.  The player who is still a person of interest has not been named, but there is some physical evidence in the case.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

He’s off to the Phillies, and he took out a full page newspaper ad to say thanks to his long-suffering fans.  Compare that, by the way, to Brett Favre, who’s headline on ESPN today involves him being miffed–still–that the Green Bay owners didn’t want to keep him.  Favre kicked the Packers around on national TV this year…twice.  And he said not a word about the fans who had lived and died with him, some of them for their entire lives.  (Seriously, how old is Favre?  He’s been QBing our entire football-following career, anyhow…)

Halladay, who was drafted by the Blue Jays back in 1995, said in the ad that he felt blessed to have been a part of the organization, and that he’d always have a special place in his heart for Toronto.

Here’s the ad, courtesy of Toronto Mike.

All of you who said Favre was done?  All the Jets fans–and players–who said he shoulda just stayed retired? Well, shoulda, woulda, coulda. As in, shoulda, woulda, coulda kept Favre.

There’s no super-duper analysis needed here, which is a relief, because it’s awfully early in the AM for us to be thinking.  Favre’s performance stands on its own merits, and the Vikings’ 30-23 win–despite a good day by Aaron Rodgers, who had the unenviable task of replacing Favre in Green Bay–felt much more decisive than the score showed.

Was it personal?

As they might say in the midwest, heck yes, you guys.

“You guys are going to print what you want.  I just did what I was expected to do today. You make that decision,” quoth Favre upon being asked whether or not this win–over a manager, owner, and coach he probably don’t like so much no more–was maybe just a little sweeter than your run of the mill Sunday.

This is not to say that Favre’s our new favorite.  We still think he’s a drama queen, and we’re not actually prepared to say this wasn’t a fluke.  His standard performance last year was much lower quality than what he showed last night.  Favre is clearly, given his off-season shenanigans, a guy who responds to emotional triggers: a team has to go way out of their way to show their love to sign him after he unretires (again), and he’s loath to give up the game. We think he’ll be trying to play long after he has any business in pads.

But last night showed us that day could be a long time coming.  Now if only the Vikings could light  a fire like this under Favre every week?  Minnesota ain’t exactly known for its’ dramatic personal interactions, y’all…