Brett Favre continues to call audibles in his life.
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback says beating New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday to reach his third Super Bowl isn’t about exiting a storied NFL career with the perfect ending. And it’s not about redemption after faltering late the last two seasons with Green Bay and the New York Jets.
Favre says it’s about living in the moment — enjoying the game for as long as he can. Maybe, but there’s a lot of redemption and polishing of a career that will one day make him a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“After I had the [offseason] surgery and felt a little bit better, I don’t think there was ever a time in my mind when I didn’t think it would be nice to win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Every guy wants to be part of the Super Bowl. When you get older you appreciate it more. You never know. Seize the moment. I’m just thankful for this opportunity.”
The quest has been costly. Favre is largely not welcome in Green Bay despite 16 seasons and a Super Bowl title. The street named after him has been changed and the word traitor has replaced legend after un-retiring from Green Bay to play for New York last year and dreaded rival Minnesota this season.
Some fans feel Favre is selfish, that this quest is merely his own agenda and not to lift another franchise like Minnesota, which hasn’t reached the Super Bowl since 1976. Even Vikings legendary passer Fran Tarkenton dismisses Favre as an opportunist, taking over a ready-made team needing only a passer.
But Favre has enhanced a resume that includes three Most Valuable Player awards, two Super Bowls and one championship. Ironically, the Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England was 13 years ago — an eternity in sports. The 40-year-old has to remind today’s fans he’s more than an aging passer hanging on.
“The thing with playing 19 years … people actually forget I had success and [had] been in the Super Bowl,” Favre said. “I have to remind them of that. I played in the Super Bowl. I’ve played so long I have to re-justify I was a pretty good player at one time.”
Will there be another teary-eyed retirement should the Vikings win the Super Bowl? Already, there are leaguewide whispers of Minnesota trading for Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb next season.
A Lombardi Trophy might send Favre into retirement. But, who knows?
Probably not even Favre.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or
e-mail [email protected].
