Favre Signs With Vikings
UPDATED (7:57 p.m.)...
Quarterback Brett Favre returned to the NFL again by signing with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, only three weeks after he'd told the team that he planned to stay retired.
Favre, 39, came out of retirement for a second straight offseason, this time to join a club that perhaps becomes a top Super Bowl contender in the NFC. Favre practiced with the Vikings on Tuesday after traveling to the Twin Cities from his home in Mississippi, and he and Coach Brad Childress said it's possible that Favre will play in the team's preseason game at home Friday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I'm in it for the right reasons," Favre said at a news conference at the Vikings' training facility in Eden Prairie, Minn. "And if people can't understand that, I'm sorry.... My expectations are high. This is a good football team. I'm not gonna sit here and make predictions, but I didn't come here to lose.... I think the sky is the limit."
Favre reportedly signed a two-year contract with the Vikings that pays him $12 million this season and would pay him $13 million next season, if he plays that long.
"We felt like we had an opportunity to add a piece to the puzzle," Childress said at Favre's introductory news conference.
Childress drove with Favre from an airport in St. Paul, Minn., to the Vikings' complex. Favre had lunch, underwent a physical and participated in practice without the benefit of a team meeting to prepare.
Favre had declined an invitation by the Vikings to report to training camp with them last month, saying at the time he wasn't certain that he could play a full season at this point in his career at a level of performance he considered satisfactory. Childress said at the time that the club would not renew its pursuit of Favre. But Favre also left open the possibility even then that he would change his mind if the Vikings called him during the season.
Favre said Tuesday that conversations with the Vikings resumed when Childress called him Monday.
"I felt like if they were willing to take that chance, I was too," Favre said. "... After I said no three weeks ago, at times I was okay with it. At other times, I said, 'I think I could have helped that team.'... When Brad called [Monday], it was like, 'This is it. It's now or never.' "
Favre said he thought his opportunity to play for the Vikings had ended when he declined their invitation to training camp. He recalled his 10-year-old daughter crying about the decision.
"As a lot of friends and family have told me, 'You won't know unless you take the chance,' " Favre said. "A lot of people have told me, 'If you go back, that's the perfect fit.'... I don't know how I'll feel five years, 10 years from now. I didn't want to say, you know, 'What if?'... I think I made the right decision. I really do. All I can say is, I'm going to do the best I can."
Childress said of Monday's conversation: "I picked up the phone and asked. And he said, 'I can play Friday night, right?' "
Favre underwent offseason surgery for the partially torn biceps tendon that plagued him last season while he was with the New York Jets, then spent part of his summer working out with a high school team near his home in Mississippi.
Favre said Tuesday he was told after the surgery by orthopedist James Andrews, who performed the procedure, that he has a rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder. According to Favre, Andrews indicated that the quarterback would have had to sit out this season and perhaps next season if Andrews had repaired the injury. But Favre said he'd been told by Andrews that, as things now stand, he can play with the injury.
"That scared me," Favre said. "Being a quarterback or a pitcher, 39, coming off the surgery for something else, to say I was reluctant would be an understatement.... My arm has felt pretty good, good enough to make the throws I need to make."
Signing with the Vikings enables Favre, who turns 40 in October, to play two games this season against the Green Bay Packers, his longtime team that he left last summer after clashing with the club, and General Manager Ted Thompson in particular.
The Vikings play the Packers at home on Oct. 5 and in Green Bay on Nov. 1. But Favre said that wasn't what prompted him to come back again.
"As I've been welcomed today by everyone, it feels great," Favre said. "The bottom line is, it's football. When I step in the huddle, I don't look at helmets. I look at faces. I think the guys will accept it's for the right reason, and that's because I love to play.... This is not about revenge or anything like that."
He also indicated he was unconcerned about what another change of heart about playing will mean to the public's perception of him.
"When people start talking about my legacy, it's mine," Favre said. "It's what I think of it.... I have no idea what's gonna happen this year, as I didn't last year. When I look back, I gave it all I had, as I will this year."
Favre said that "the pieces are in place here."
The Vikings have a dynamic running back in Adrian Peterson, a solid offensive line and a capable defense.
Favre is familiar with the Vikings' offensive system and their coaching staff, with previously existing relationships with Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Favre was friendly with Childress when Childress coached at the University of Wisconsin in the 1990s, and Bevell formerly was Favre's quarterbacks coach with the Packers.
Favre said he had no problems calling the plays during Tuesday's practice even without much time to prepare.
The Vikings reportedly were the team for which Favre wanted to play last season. But the Packers were unwilling then to permit him to play for a division rival and traded him instead to the Jets.
Favre spent 16 seasons with the Packers before leaving the franchise unceremoniously last summer. He retired following a highly successful 2007 season in which he played well and the Packers reached the NFC title game before losing in overtime. The Packers made plans to move on with Aaron Rodgers as their starter at quarterback. Favre changed his mind and decided to continue playing but was at odds with Thompson and the organization over his proposed return, and the Packers traded him to the Jets.
Favre was only the league's 21st-rated passer last season while with the Jets, throwing 22 interceptions to go with his 22 touchdown passes. He and the team played poorly down the stretch, and the Jets missed the playoffs and fired Eric Mangini as their coach. Several Jets players were publicly critical of Favre after the season.
He announced another retirement this past offseason. But the Jets released him off their reserve-retired list following an NFL draft in which they traded up to select potential replacement Mark Sanchez, and Favre began toying with another return.
Some in and around the league suspected even after Favre rejected the Vikings' offer to report to their training camp that Favre wasn't done playing, and the speculation about a return intensified Monday when Fox reported that many within the Minnesota organization, including players and coaches, remained convinced that Favre would play for the team this season.
Favre has 65,127 career passing yards, with 464 touchdowns and 310 interceptions. He takes over as the Vikings' starter. Without Favre, the Vikings had planned to have Sage Rosenfels, obtained in an offseason traded with the Houston Texans, and Tarvaris Jackson compete for the starting job.
By
Mark Maske
|
August 18, 2009; 11:14 AM ET
| Category:
Vikings
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Posted by: surlydoc | August 19, 2009 10:17 AM
Who said women can't play in the NFL? Farve is more indecisive than any middle-aged menopausal woman I ever did see.
Posted by: Publius76 | August 18, 2009 9:55 PM
talk about the world's most indecisive man!
Posted by: Samuraise | August 18, 2009 8:26 PM
WHO GIVES A DUCK?
Posted by: whatyoutalkinboutman | August 18, 2009 8:14 PM
don't you get sick of this bull.
Posted by: ronaldtennillegeorgia1 | August 18, 2009 8:09 PM
Whatever!!!!!! Go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: highwaybluesoccer | August 18, 2009 8:06 PM
The ownership must be changing the name of the team to the Minnesota Patsies for: a) signing Faurve and b) paying him all this moola!
Posted by: meldupree | August 18, 2009 7:49 PM
This is not a surprise to anyone hopefully.
Posted by: BMACattack | August 18, 2009 7:35 PM
Honesty, the man just didn't want to go to camp. He's talking about all the sacks his body's has taken, How many times has that body been in training camp? This laziness is the reason he's going to fade out at mid season, just like last year. Poor Vikings
Posted by: Ike1975 | August 18, 2009 7:04 PM
I can't wait until Favre decides to retire in the middle of a game but then decides to unretire when the game turns around. He's making the Runaway Bride look stable. I used to really like Favre but this on-again/off-again relationship has got to stop!
Posted by: dre7861 | August 18, 2009 6:14 PM
Sheesh. Hasn't the man ever heard of retiring with dignity? He has enough money to live a long time in his trailer on the bayou in Louisiana.
Posted by: caebling | August 18, 2009 6:01 PM
For the first time since.. the Super Bowl Shuffle, QB Sunglasses Jim and The Fridge.. I'm going with the Bears to win the NFC.. yes not just the Division.. but the Conference..
Posted by: newbeeboy | August 18, 2009 5:58 PM
Favre has gotten a little tiresome with his I'm retired no I'm not back and forth. But it still may be a wise pick up for Minnesota and be the piece they were looking for. I don't see any way to look at it other than Favre makes the Vikings a better team than they were yesterday. But we'll see.
Posted by: Robert36 | August 18, 2009 5:56 PM
Why is Brett Favre still playing? For a relevant answer, we could turn to none other than Kareem Abdul Jabbar who, when asked the same question at age 42 said, in effect, "It's simple. I'm doing what I love. I'm still better at it than almost anyone else. And they're paying me $2 million to do it. Why quit?"
Whether or not you see Favre as still better at it than anyone else, he obviously believes that he's still good enough to help a good team have a shot at a ring, and at least one willing buyer has agreed with him.
That's it, gang. Conversation over. A willing seller has found a willing buyer for his services.
One of the logical fallacies we employ to support our arguments is, "If I was Favre, I'd..." Well, we're not Favre, so we don't know what we'd do if we were. The evidence in front of us suggests, however, that the actual Brett Favre has decided he wants to play some pro football.
Posted by: salescoach | August 18, 2009 5:39 PM
Brett. Seriously. Pick one. Stick with it. I really don't care what.
Posted by: ravensfan20008 | August 18, 2009 5:34 PM
Zzzzzzzz.
This just in: Archie to propose to Veronica.
Posted by: bs2004 | August 18, 2009 5:29 PM
Brett Favre- the Harold Stasen of professional football.
Posted by: fcodispoti | August 18, 2009 5:25 PM
Signing Favre is win-win for the Vikings which will sell a lot of sucker tickets and get first round overall draft next year.
Posted by: shawnp220 | August 18, 2009 5:25 PM
I'll take interception happy farve over a guy like tarvaris, because we all know he will never go anywhere. Farve at ten percent is better then tarvaris at 100.
Posted by: kennethdadams1 | August 18, 2009 5:11 PM
Brett Favre is a loser! He has lost so many fans from Wisconsin. I hope he gets hurt this year, would serve him right, the old man.
Posted by: donbb82 | August 18, 2009 4:44 PM
I can't believe Minnesota! They just threw their season down the drain. Besides that, how could they slap Sage Rosenfels, Tavaris Jackson and the rest of the Vikings team in the face who've been busting their butt's during OTAs and training camp. Meanwhile, Favre gets to come in when he wants and is placed as the starter. In comparison to the speed and youth of today's game, Favre is a fossil.
He does this every single year. Maybe the commissioner should look into this because it's definitely making a mockery of the league. Hey Brett, if you're listening, submit your retirement paperwork...it's over bud.
Posted by: carterm1 | August 18, 2009 4:40 PM
The Vikings couldn't pick a better team for Favre to play against this week than the Chiefs, who set an NFL record for fewest sacks in a season with a total of TEN (10) in 2008. He could be out there in a wheelchair and he wouldn't have to worry about getting hit.
Posted by: DoreDad | August 18, 2009 4:39 PM
I wouldn't want to stay in Mississippi either! The old guy will get to play half the season indoors, he has a legitimate top three running back so he doesn't have to throw as much, and he'll still get in the Hall based on his Greenbay days. Oh, and lots of money. What's the downside of this? Concussion? Torn shoulder? Can't walk in 10 years? Has to contemplate retirement at the end of the season?
Posted by: bkhoward | August 18, 2009 4:25 PM
"I am excited about the opportunity to join this football team."
Sure is. What could be more exciting than trying to "avenge" yourself on the team that "done you wrong?"
Mr. Favre was a legitimately great player at one point, but all he cares about now is proving the Packers wrong. That should make for a great atmosphere in the Viking locker room.
Posted by: rogied25 | August 18, 2009 4:01 PM
Oh, good. Now he can jerk around the Vikings.
Posted by: jckdoors | August 18, 2009 3:52 PM
YES!
This for sure means the Viking's worst quarterback, by far, in my entire lifetime, Tardvaris Jackson will be on the bench all season long.
Posted by: Overdenkotten | August 18, 2009 3:51 PM
Brett, Brett, Brett Brett, Brett - You had the chance to retire peacefully and honorably as an outstanding player when you "retired" from Green Bay a couple of years ago - now its just plain sad to see you drifting from one club to another and gaining the reputation as a party guest who refuses to leave. C'mon dude a little dignity?
Posted by: rikkirat | August 18, 2009 3:33 PM
Best of Luck to Bret.
Posted by: upland_bill | August 18, 2009 3:30 PM
Like a case of the "crabs".....you just can't get ride of this guy........
Posted by: unc1dmo | August 18, 2009 3:12 PM
Farve is stump-jumper, who needs too keep his hillbilly arse, in Mississippi.
His time in the NFL, has been long over!
Posted by: dashriprock | August 18, 2009 2:55 PM
Oh, Brett you big tease! I for one am glad to see him play another season and I'm no Vikings fan.
Posted by: ozpunk | August 18, 2009 2:37 PM
It's all about the media. What else do they have but to hype anything and everything but what is happening off the field. No 'real' games yet. The fans are exicited to see Farve play regardless of what team he plays for. No one has more enthusiasm for the game - that's what we love. Both Vikes vrs Packer games will be the highlights of the season - even if one or both go to the playoffs. It's love of the game - not personalities! (Michael Vick? Just don't bother me with trivia! He'll never make it to the Hall of Fame and he'll never be more than a BAD footnote in NFL history.)
Posted by: WisconsinFAN | August 18, 2009 2:32 PM
Yet another great who will be remembered for how pathetic he was in his decline.
Barry Sanders broke my heart when he retired, but the dude went out on top.
Race-baiters on both sides: I think I can arrange for you all to get factory jobs in China.
Posted by: nonsensical2001 | August 18, 2009 2:14 PM
I am sorry, I thought that this was a story about Favre, and the Vikings. Not some supposed racists ploy. I am so sick and tired of everything coming back to that card in the deck. All of you need to grow the F up. Or at least get an education higher than high school.
Posted by: allaboard123 | August 18, 2009 1:53 PM
Favre Expected to Win With Vikings.
Go Brett!!
Posted by: frenchofficial | August 18, 2009 1:43 PM
First thought - who cares?
Second thought - 12 Million?! They're nuts. They're paying Favre 500,000 per interception.
Posted by: AsstGM | August 18, 2009 1:40 PM
"But I have legitimate reasons for my decision. I'm 39 with a lot of sacks to my name."
Ya Brett- like the sack you gave Straham when he set the single season sack record- lost all respect for you on that day. Have fun throwing 20+ picks in Minnesota...
Posted by: richard_cranium | August 18, 2009 1:36 PM
What I dont get is how this became a race conversation in the first place.
I am a bleeding purple Viking fan, and I have always hated Favre. Not because he was one of the greatest qbs to ever play the game, but that he was that in a Packer uniform. I just dont think he has it anymore and I am going to hate watching him throw INT's for my Vikings.
I did not see one racist comment here until someone told the white folk to stop ripping Vick. Vick has been ripped all over the country by white and black people because of his inhumane treatment of dogs. That has nothing to do with his color of skin. Favre was ripped for his addiction to pain killers, but that is an abuse one put on themselves, he never set up to hurt others or animals. He grew up in the south so how come he didnt try to make money off of dog fighting.
This is just stupid, if black people want to stand by Vick as one of theirs, you can have him, we will even give you Jeffrey Dahmer because we dont back bad people, no matter what their color is.
Lets just say that OJ finally is getting his.
Posted by: thomashagberg | August 18, 2009 1:34 PM
Minneconsin Vikers OR Wissota Packings - take your pick. I don't like either.
GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hobsry7350 | August 18, 2009 1:34 PM
Like a child that can't get his way; some brat actually wants to strike out against or in this case suggest hopes that an injury ruins Bret's career. You won’t grow up anymore than you have obviously but try sparing us your tantrums. Its sports and $$$; that’s they way they’ve decided to play it.
Posted by: aypub | August 18, 2009 1:29 PM
Seriously? It has come to wishing harm upon a well respected player? I don't understand all the negativity here. He wanted to play for the Vikings last year, but the Packers wouldn't let him. If they would have let him he probably wouldn't have retired (again) last year and we probably wouldn't be having all of this drama now. Also, for anyone that knows about the vikings/packers rivelry I would say that 95% of vikings fans always respected Favre when he was a Packer and never "hated him". He was (and still could be) a great player. He loves the game and still wants to play. I find that respectable.
Posted by: jb25 | August 18, 2009 1:23 PM
Can we leave race hating out of this? Stop bringing up the black/white rigamoarole and think...its not because of his race (vick)that he killed dogs. Its because he is (was?)a crappy human being. Cant any of you people just get that through your heads?
On the other hand, when is ole boy just gonna quit? I have been a fan of Favre for many MANY years, even during his stint with the Jets, but now...gaawwll let it go and just retire while some folks still remember you as being a cool guy.
Posted by: tystflight | August 18, 2009 1:20 PM
I know most are sick about the Favre situation BUT the ones that won't be sick are the Vikings!!.. Favre even at 40 is heads and tails above T. Jackson and Sage. Good luck Brett!!
Posted by: baddudejim | August 18, 2009 1:12 PM
I hope that some DE cheap-shots him in the knee and finally ends it for all.
Posted by: ElSith | August 18, 2009 1:02 PM
Good Grief! Wishing this dumb redneck would go away.
Posted by: jchar70 | August 18, 2009 12:53 PM
Ok enough already can we just stop covering the soap opera "As Bret ponders" it's down right sickening so glad i'm not a Vikings fan or even a Packer fan...this guy proves he's all about him...
Posted by: papaskynz | August 18, 2009 12:42 PM
BLKISIN...I agree with you 100%. Everyone deserves a second chance and in God's eyes..all humans are the equal.
Posted by: minnelusa | August 18, 2009 12:40 PM
I repeat, Who the H--L CARES!!!
Posted by: Badwisky | August 18, 2009 12:36 PM
Who the H--L CARES!!!!!
Posted by: Badwisky | August 18, 2009 12:35 PM
WHAT WOULD DRIVE WHITE FOLKS TO USE THEIR PETS I.E DOGS TO ATTACK THE FREEDOM MARCHERS
WHAT KIND OF SOCIAL PATH'S MANY WHO ARE STILL LIVING EXPRESSING THEIR RACIST ANGER.
WHITE AMERICA HANDS ARE DIRTIER THAN VICKS AND YOU NEED TO APOLGIZE FOR YOURS SINS BEFORE YOU ACT AS JUDGE AND JURY ON ANY BLACK AMERICANS.
Posted by: blkisin | August 18, 2009 12:31 PM
I wish the racist white folks stop using Vick as a POSTER CHILD for their hate its clear no matter what Vick did or did not do these folks will not let it go and is using Vick as an excuse to vent their anger towards any/all black athletes.
Where was this anger when the white folks were using their dogs against Vick relatives marching for freedom and civil rights. It amazing how White America forgets their evil past and use of their alledge pets.
Meanwhile back on the farm junkie, druggie Brett Favre is back to playing the same old games, Retires until after drug testing is over then enteres the game.
WILL SOMEONE TEST BREET FOR DRUG USE?
Posted by: blkisin | August 18, 2009 12:27 PM
Oh goody goody goody. In Wisconsin we have a saying. "Who cares"
Posted by: eaglehawkaroundsince1937 | August 18, 2009 12:08 PM
In general, the sports media are clowns IMO. You know, they hate Favre, and I'm sorry if they're jealous, yet they argue for "second" chances for a dangerous sociopath like Vick? Sickening.
I wonder if they understand the mentality that would drive a man to ENJOY torturing and slaughtering an innocent animal isn't that different from the mentality of a serial killer. Jeffrey Dauhmer started out torturing animals too.
But Favre, the NFL's poster boy for sportsmanship, just needs to "go away." Well, Gee, why haven't they RABIDLY been demanding TO "go away" and stop being such a prima donna? Or all those other players with egos the size of the Grand Canyon? No, it's just Favre. When GB treated him like crap, and pushed him to retire, everyone said "It a business," but when Favre wants to play, he's a traitor.
I'm real sick of the sports media, and I don't think they have a clue how popular Favre is. Remember how many NY jerseys he sold?
Anyway, it will be interesting. Favre can't scratch his butt without them hovering and speculating. We'll see I guess.
Posted by: TeriB | August 18, 2009 12:02 PM
Forget the Super Bowl, the Packers vs. Vikings games will be upper midwest holidays.
Posted by: ccs4756 | August 18, 2009 11:57 AM
Vikings fans have hated Favre for so long and now some of these rubes are going to love him. Just wait till he starts throwing INT's in the dome, the ones we used to like! Then they will really hate him.
Posted by: thomashagberg | August 18, 2009 11:52 AM
How long until Princess Boo-Hoo has another bad day and changes his mind AGAIN about staying or going? Let me help: go already.
Posted by: andrew_mccullough | August 18, 2009 11:48 AM
I thought this guy was finally going to retire. Now guess what? Another season of the NFL sportscasters filling their mouths with the name: "Brett Favre". I smell a boycott coming on...
Posted by: cbmuzik | August 18, 2009 11:46 AM
I am so sick of hearing about Favre. What an egomaniac!
Posted by: stormng | August 18, 2009 11:39 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
why shouldn't he be allowed the opportunity to make a living at what he does best???
he's paid his debt to society.
oh, sorry, that's the excuse for the other guy.
this guy needs no excuse. he's the best nfl qb of the last decade and should play as long as the vikings or any other team will pay him.