A year ago, Brett Favre came off as the ex-girlfriend who dumped us and then suddenly wanted us back after we had moved on with someone else. He since has become that annoying, ever-present ex who we wish would just go away.

In case you've been trapped under something large, such as a boulder or Gilbert Brown, here's a Cliff's Notes version of the tragic saga: In March 2008, after a renaissance season, the iconic quarterback tearfully retires at a press conference in Green Bay. A few months later, after reportedly waffling on coming out of retirement, he declares he's ready to play again.

The Packers, moving forward with Aaron Rodgers under center, say "no thanks" and offer to buy Favre a new lawn tractor to keep him busy. Unwilling to supplant Rodgers but fearful of Favre signing with a division rival, the Packers trade their future Hall-of-Famer to the New York Jets.

In a development that came as no surprise to Packers fans, Favre starts out hot but becomes ineffective as the season wears on. Full of the holiday spirit, he repeatedly gives the ball away from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

In February he retires from football. Again. Sort of.

Over the summer, rumors surface that Favre has been in contact with the - GASP! - Minnesota Vikings about a possible comeback. Word is he recently had surgery to repair his throwing shoulder. And his family has reserved rooms at a hotel near Lambeau Field for the Vikings-Packers game on Nov. 1.

Last week, the Vikings reportedly told Favre he has to decide ASAP whether he plans to play this fall. As if the Vikings are bargaining from a position of strength: Their depth chart at QB currently features Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and a laundry hamper in the equipment room. My money's on the hamper.

Joining the Packers' hated rival would allow Favre to accomplish his long-held goal of sticking it to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, who had the gall to surmise that he, and not Favre, was in charge of the team.

One wonders whether Favre ever considers what his recent actions have done to his image. He was beloved nationwide for being a bold risk-taker and an NFL graybeard who still played with a boy's passion.

His candor with reporters, his impish locker room antics and his propensity for tackling teammates in the end zone after touchdowns made him a breath of fresh air in a corporatized game.

At least, that's how he was thought of until 2008. After a year of prima donna posturing that included his showdown with the Packers brass and his disinterest in his new teammates in New York, Favre acquired a reputation not as a boyish rascal, but as a spoiled brat.

And now, with this last-ditch effort to join the Vikings, he looks like an old man grasping at glory days long since passed.

He had an opportunity to retire gracefully at the top of his game, in the loving esteem of fans from coast to coast. But sadly, he hasn't been able to let go.

A year ago, Packers fans saw Favre as the ex who dumped us and, after we moved on with someone else, suddenly wanted us to take him back. We wanted to give in, of course. But we just couldn't deal with all of the uncertainty.

We have come to resent being treated like playthings. And we're sick of our love going unrequited. We adored Favre even through his six-interception debacles, supported his charities and helped make him a millionaire. He responded by flirting with our bitter rivals.

We're not going to lie and say we're over him. There isn't enough Leinie's in Chippewa Falls to ease the pain we would feel watching him play at Lambeau Field in purple.

That's why we just want him to go away. Stay retired, stop talking to ESPN, get over your grudge and come back to Lambeau to get your number enshrined. Our love will never be like it once was, but at least we can still be friends.

Ben Bromley is struggling to get over his man-crush on Brett Favre. Submit advice to bbromley@capitalnewspapers.com.