Favre is back, but does anyone care?


Brett Favre flew in to Minnesota yesterday afternoon cavalier style to become the newest Minnesota Viking quarterback. After being followed by a helicopter as he was in the air to being flanked by Viking personnel as he landed head coach Brad Childress finally got his man. This news came out of the bushes to become the story of the day in sports. But questions linger. Can Favre still play? Will Minnesota make it to the Super Bowl? How do the fans feel in Packer-land?

Given Favre’s wayward decision-making on retirement in recent years does anyone care anymore?

Favre inherits a team that features arguably the best running back in the game in Adrian Petersen, a great defense led by Jared Allen and an offense he’s very familiar with. Seems like all the ingredients are in place to make a run at the Super Bowl but the key is will Favre’s throwing arm hold up long enough.

One can question how the Favre signing went down. Why did the Viking organization have to do it such secrecy like the Philadelphia Eagles signed Michael Vick? Why the Viking organization lead everyone to think Favre was done only to get him off the riding mower in Mississippi for yet another season? No matter how the deal went down from a football standpoint the move make sense.

Why?

Because no matter how you feel about Favre the bottom line is he gives the Vikings the best chance to win on Sunday. Period. Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson aren’t going to get a team to the Super Bowl. Some could argue a soon-to-be 40 year old quarterback can’t either. But Favre at nearly 40 is better than the journeymen (Rosenfels) and the oft injured youngster (Jackson) put together.

For those who criticize Favre for not being upfront about his plans have a legitimate gripe. People have grown weary of hearing the same ole back and forth drama he likes to engage in. I’m not terribly fond of Favre but I understand to a degree why he often wavers. As he stated yesterday about coming back he stated, “I still love to play football no matter who it’s with.”

Favre is man who makes millions of dollars for playing a game. He’s a man who was once perceived as the games best quarterback. He’s a man who is beloved by many in the sports world. He’s one of 32 men who play at the marquee position in sports. Running out of an NFL tunnel being perceived as “the” man has to induce a remarkable high most of us will never feel.

In society most of us die once: professional athletes die twice. Most of us will work until we are 65 and ride off into the sunset. If an NFL player is lucky he’ll play into his mid 30’s-the NFL average career span is just over 3 years but in society the number is much larger.

What’s my point?

It’s difficult to replace the euphoria of being beloved, paid millions of dollars, and leaving something you love. It’s difficult to walk away from something you have passion for and not having something to replace it with such a long life ahead of you. Favre is a football player. He’s won’t be doing commentary for ESPN, become a head coach, or a general manager when he’s finally retires. When Favre is done, whenever that is, he’ll retreat back to Mississippi in his 40’s with full life ahead of him without football.

When asked if his legacy will be affected by his latest comeback Favre shot back with, “When people start talking about my legacy it’s mine.”

Isn’t that true?

At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what you and I feel. Favre can do what he wants. If feels he can play he should play. Favre will end up playing until either he can’t do it anymore or until nobody wants him.

ESPN made Favre their top story yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings got the man they really wanted and the fans in Viking country are largely happy.

Does anyone care about what Favre does?

Sure seems like it doesn’t it?

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