By Hot Rod! The Rowdy One
Back in May, NFL Hall of Famer, Fran Tarkenton had this to say about Brett Favre possibly signing with the Minnesota Vikings:
“I think it’s despicable. What he put the Packers through last year was not good. Here’s an organization that was loyal to him for 17, 18 years, provided stability of organization, provided players. It just wasn’t about Brett Favre. In this day and time, we have glorified the Brett Favre‘s of the world so much; they think it’s about them. He goes to New York and bombs. He’s 39 years old. How would you like Ray Nitschke in his last year [playing for] the Vikings, or I retire, and go play for the Packers? I kind of hope it happens, so he can fail.”
All I can say about that statement is U.T.F.B. (Under The F’n Bus). I’m pretty sure Tarkenton will have more to say now that Brett Favre has signed a two year deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Brett Favre is a good QB. Will he go down as one of the greats? Yes. Would I put him in my Top 5, Dead or Alive in the “Greatest QBs of All-Time” category? No. Hell, I have Tarkenton in my Top 10, but not Favre. Therefore, if Tarkenton speaks, people should listen.
Favre has the right to do whatever he wants. He’s earned the right, with his time served in the NFL, to come and go as he’s pleased. Football fans have had to listen to Favre’s rendition of The Clash’s Should I Stay Or Should I Go for the past three to four seasons and each time he’s done it, most of us have welcomed him with open arms. If he wants to comeback, out of retirement, for the second time, let him. Michael Jordan did it. Then again, His Air-ness has six rings compared to Favre’s one title.
Favre has had a solid Hall of Fame career, a slew of QB records, and one Super Bowl title.
He‘s brought in tons of money through merchandise and ticket sales to every organization he has played for, Packers and New York Jets, as well as the NFL.
I can see why he wants to comeback, especially to the Vikings. He still wants to play and he feels he can still contribute to a team. Secondly, he’ll have an opportunity to face his former team, the Packers. What sweet revenge that would be for Mr. Favre if he beats his former team? I can see it now.
Balloons would fall from the sky. Fireworks would paint the sky purple and gold and spell out “Vengeance is mine.” John Madden would lead a ticker tape parade to 900 South Fifth Street in rejoice of Favre’s victory. A good time would be had by all and Favre, the conquering hero would be carried out of the Metrodome hailed as the NFL’s Greatest QB. Viking Fans would love that scenario.
Then there’s the reason why I, and many others, want him to comeback. It’s Week 03, the Vikings home-opener against the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikes win the coin toss and they chose to receive. Vikes Head Coach, Brad Childress, decides to throw the ball on the first play of the drive instead of running the ball with Adrian Peterson because the Niners’ secondary is weak.
Favre calls the play in the huddle and the team steps up to the line of scrimmage. He notices that Wide Receiver Sidney Rice has an advantage on the secondary, and calls an audible. The ball is snapped and before he knows it, Forty-Niners Linebacker, Patrick Willis, breaks through the line and BAM…levitates Favre. While lying on the ground, he sees stars that spell out,”Give it up old man. Your time is up.”
That’s when he’ll have an epiphany, walk to the sideline, tell Coach Childress he’s finished, and in the post game press conference, tells the world that he’s done for good and this time it’s “for real.”
That’s a little sadistic, but hey, one can dream, right?
I hate to say this, but Favre, in some sense, is what the NFL needs right now. He’s the balance the NFL needs for their public image. “Balance, you say?” “What in the world are you talking about Rowdy One?”
Last month, the NFL took somewhat of a hit when Roger Goodell reinstated Michael Vick. Last Thursday, Vick became the newest member of the Philadelphia Eagles, which elicited cries of “Ha, Ha, Ho,Ho, Michael Vick has got to go!!!” throughout the country. The NFL has had to endure numerous attacks from protestors regarding Vick’s reinstatement. With those attacks, the NFL has to be concerned with the possible loss of sponsorship. With Favre on the scene, the NFL can hope to hold on to their current sponsors and attract new ones because a familiar face, such as Favre’s, can help generate business and money.
His presence will also help fan support for those who were ready to ditch the NFL. With and off-season that has seen more criminal acts than an episode of NYPD Blue, the NFL can use an face that can attract fans and remind them of a “simpler” time of the NFL. He’s the face of the common, everyday, man for most NFL fans.
He’s like a one man New York Yankees. No matter where he goes, people will pay money to see Favre play and he will bring in tons of cash for the Vikings, as well as the teams he plays against on the road in revenue. That’s not to mention how much money he’ll make for the NFL with merchandise sales. In these hard financial times, you gotta get as much money you can get, when you get it. Roger Goodell probably danced on his desk when he heard that Favre was coming back. The NFL is getting money people.
Just deal with the fact that Favre is back in the NFL and enjoy the games. Sit back and watch what he does this season. The balance of power has definitely shifted in the NFC as a whole and you have to consider the Vikings as serious contenders this season with Favre at the helm. Hey it could be worse; at least he’s not playing for Oakland.
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