While sitting in my office this morning, I heard the news come down off of a local Minneapolis-based sports talk radio show that Brett Favre had indeed called it quits.  “I’m allowed to listen to my radio between eight and nine if the volume is at a reasonable level.”  As a loyal Viking fan for my entire life, my initial response was utter and complete jubilation!   

I ran to my cell phone and shot a text message that simply stated “Favre retires!?!” to my Packer-loving friends and family, including my lovely wife.  We have been married for over five years now, and being a part of a “mixed marriage” has always created some playful banter during football season.  Most of my jabs are surrounding how the Packer faithful, are the most psychotic and devoted fans of any team in any sport.  I joked that the suicide watch was on in Green Bay, and wondered aloud how many people called in sick to work in Wisconsin today, because they were actually physically ill from the news. 

Don’t get me wrong though, I have a huge amount of respect for the Packer fan-base.  On several trips to Lambeau Field, I have worn a Viking jersey (even when the Vikes weren’t playing) and received nothing more than the good-natured ribbing about Minnesota’s insanely full trophy case.  On a few occaisions, those fans who have booed my choice of team, have bought or given me a beer in the same breath.  They are good fans, who know how to party, drink, and be passionate about their squad, and I believe most of their passion stems from the play of number four. 

Just think, if sixteen years ago, the Packers had gone out and acquired Steve DeBerg, Chris Chandler, or Ricky Shroeder?  Would the Packer fans be as rabid as the ones we see today?  I don’t think so. The mid-nineties resurgence of the Packers which came on the wings of Brett Favre and Reggie White, brought that franchise out of a twenty year hole.  Previous to that, every seat in Lambeau and County Stadium were sold out, but many were left vacated on gameday.  Favre helped take a franchise and make it prominent for the better part of two decades.  The run that included a Super Bowl victory in 1996 and a loss in 1997, brought the big white “G” on the green background back into fashion.  The Packer fans owe Favre just about everything, but the Vikings and Bears fans owe him an ovation as well. 

Without Favre as a long lasting and worthy adversary, the Monday night win in 1998, where Randy Moss torched the Packers secondary wouldn’t seem so sweet.  When Moss later “mooned” the Cheeseheads in the 2005 playoffs, no feeling could be better for a Viking fan.  When Bears’ coach Lovie Smith got his job in Chicago, his first priority was to beat the Packers.  If Mark Brunell or Aaron Brooks would have ended up as the starter in Green Bay, Lovie never would have thrown down the “Packer” gauntlet. 

The truth is, as much as I have hated watching Brett Favre throw touchdowns against my team, I have loved watching him throw interceptions to my team.  He is one of the most worthy opponents anyone can cheer against, and even though John Madden has his lips firmly planted on the “gunslinger’s” ass, the massive amount of media attention he received just gave both sides something to talk about. 

I’m happy to see him go, but sad to see that the Vikings/Packers games will lose a little bit of the spark that Favre brought to it. 

Now the Vikings will run away with the NFC North in 2008!

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