Even Brett Favre’s courage and passion for football likely won’t be enough to bring him back for a second season with the Vikings. Favre’s future was a storyline before and after last night’s NFC playoff game in New Orleans against the Saints.
Fox Sports reported before the game that the Vikings quarterback already knows what his decision will be but so far hasn’t announced whether he will retire. If the Vikings know, they’re not saying. “Don’t know if it’s his last or night,” said Vikings coach Brad Childress on KFAN Radio after the game.
Certainly Favre must wonder how much more stress and punishment his 40 year old body can endure. He looked tired late in the season and never tried to deny during the fall that he was taking a beating on Sundays.
Some work days are worse than others, though, and last night he faced a cheap shot bunch from New Orleans that tried to hurt him. There were blows aimed at Favre’s head and in the second half defensive end Bobby McCray dove at his legs. The hit resulted in a sprained left ankle that a crippled Favre was able to overcome.
Time and again the Saints hit Favre as the Vikings offensive line failed him. His protection all season was spotty, but Favre did the best Rocky Balboa imitation seen in the NFL in a long time.
But why continue on? His family and friends have to fret a little more about his well being with each season. Favre has had his doubts, too, twice retiring in the past, only to decide he wanted to play on.
Favre added to his legend with a superb season playing for the Vikings. He performed with precision (the best passer rating of his career in the regular season) and consistency (only seven interceptions in 16 games). When he wasn’t passing the Vikings to victories, he was wiling them to wins.
In the closing minute of last night’s fourth quarter he rolled right, threw across his body and saw the football intercepted and returned to the Saints’ 48 yard line. That play ended the Vikings’ opportunity to try a long field goal to break a 28-28 tie. Favre and the Vikings offense never had the ball again as the Saints won the coin toss to begin overtime, then drove to the Minnesota 22 yard line where Garrett Hartley kicked the field goal that sent New Orleans to the Super Bowl.
A lot of folks will be surprised if the game doesn’t send No. 4 into retirement (permanently).