Well the ongoing soap opera involving the sports world's biggest self indulgent drama queen has just gotten more convoluded and sickening. I think it was two months ago that I heard Brett "win or lose its still all about me" Favre was backtracking on his blubbering, rambling retirement speech and he now wanted to play again. Then I heard that the Packers said they were moving on,,,without him, so he would have to play else where if he wanted to play again. Then the speculation began. Where would he end up? What would be the best fit? ESPN.com even broke down each team based on its needs and what Favre could bring to the team. My Vikings were near the top. I gagged quite a bit at the notion.
I am told by various people that I am being too irrational and over dramatic about this. Really? Over dramatic about football, or sports in general? A topic that envelopes millions (billions?) of men around the world to the point that blood, sweat and tears are spent just by watching it on television? Lets not go that far. Hear me out. I was asked about the possibility of Old #4 in purple and gold by a friend (not a die hard vikings fan...hardly a sports fan at all.) I told him, without a hesitation, that I would rather see the Vikings nevr win a Super Bowl than win one with Brett favre at the helm. I am not kidding. My dad and brother agreed...originally. The notion at that point, and in some circles it still is, that the quarterback position is the only weak spot keeping us from Super Bowl contention. As die hard of a fan as I am, I even doubt thats all we are missing. Even if it is...Brett favre...no thank you.
A little background. Everyone knows that the Black and Blue division has some of the most heated rivalries in the NFL...fans hate opposing fans, opposing teams hate each other, players hate each other, the whole works. The Metrodome on Sunday with the Packers on the oppsoing sidelines is no place to bring your grandmother. I was ten years old when Favre debuted in green and gold. If all the normal rivalry wasn't enough...it has crossed over into family ties for my family. My older sister crossed enemy lines in 1988 to attend the University of Wisconsin and has never returned. A year later she met her future husband...a die-hard Badger and Packer fan. Needless to say, many Christmas's have included arguments about if Favre should be considered one of the best all-time, or currently...if the Packers will go all the way...as well as the usual Packer fan critcisms of the Vikings. As a result...I have grown to hate everything to do with Titletown....Lambeau Field.....Brett Favre, ridiculous cheeseheads...and John Madden's man-crush on Brett. I know there are many Viking Fans that feel the same way...but believe me when i say this....Brett Favre is the last person I ever want to see in purple. I know its that way with other teams and their fans also. I know there was some New Yorkers that were disgusted when the hero of the Red Sox first World Series since 1918, Johnny Damon, joined their team, same with Roger Clemens....I rmemeber reading stories. I dont care what it will do for the team...enemies are enemies. You dont spend seventeen years hating someone and then invite them into your house because, hes pissed at the people he used to live with, or he just want to hang out for a while on the other side of the fence. You can call me a baby or say I have poor sportsmenship, but lets look on the other side of the coin. Bulls Fans, would you be pissed off if Michael Jordan, after his first retirement, decided to come back...but with the Pistons? I think Chicago would riot. And I couldnt blame them. The man that means everything to the organization throws a fit and and joins the opposing side? Who in their right mind would support that kind of thing? It sick, shows no class, and an utter lack of loyalty. Not something anyone should be teaching their kids to emulate.
The latest developments invovle the Packers trying to offer Favre money and endorsement deals to just go away, and not play at all. He is currently "mulling it over" Brett, get over yourself you arrogant, self-absorbed crybaby. Not too long ago he was talking about how much the organization has meant to him, and the fans. Now he has all of titletown by the gonads and is threatening to switch sides (and don purple and gold). I have to admit, in the beginning, before my Vikings were involved, I was marveling at the tremendous mess going on across the border, and I shook my head at what Favre was doing to his own legacy. But I still thought it was shameful. Then the Purple and Gold got mixed up in the middle of it. I honestly dont care what happens as long as my team is left out of this embarrassing saga revolving around a fallen sports hero.
Now I hear Goodell has delayed reinstating Favre so that he and the Packers can kiss and make up or decide who gets the kids on holidays. EXCUSE ME? Mr Goodell, you work for the NFL, not Green Bay and not for Mr. Favre. I admit, I couldnt tell you the exact definition of collusion, and I doubt I would ever have heard the word if I wasnt a sports fan, but isnt that interfering with negotiations between a team and a player? The Commissioner should get involved when, or if violations happen, not commit them himself. Could we all get our heads out of Favre's ass for five minutes and move on? This whole thing is sick. I dont want the Purple and Gold tarnished by this moron and his inability to make up his mind and give his ego a rest.
