Brett Favre, 37, the old “gunslinger” who just won’t retire to catch the fastest train to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the guy who is public enemy No. 1 to passionate Vikings fans, comes with his (somewhat) rejuvenated Green Bay Packers to the Metrodome on Sunday. Favre, by the way, is a bit rejuvenated himself having quarterbacked the Packers, 4 wins, 12 losses last season and 1-4 to start this season, to two wins in Green Bay’s last three game.
Favre had played three straight games without throwing an interception until last Sunday when he was intercepted twice in a 24-10 loss to Buffalo. Still, he has thrown four touchdown passes in his last three games as the Packers improved their record to 3-5.
In the past there’s been talk, including from loyalists in Green Bay, that Favre should retire or be traded. But he is full of football life. Heck, in the Packers’ home game against Arizona on October 29 he attempted a not-so successful “Lambeau Leap” into the stands to celebrate his first rushing touchdown in a few years.
This is the stuff of legends and Favre is adding to a legacy that includes three straight seasons as the NFL’s most valuable player. He’s always played with passion and been hell-bent to succeed even when facing physical and emotional challenges. He was, by the way, once recognized by a national magazine as the toughest guy in America.
Viking place kicker Ryan Longwell, who played nine seasons with Favre in Green Bay, talked recently about his former teammate. He said Favre has a childlike enthusiasm to play football and he may continue on for multiple seasons. “He just loves the game so much,” Longwell said.
Longwell hasn’t seen any decrease in the “velocity” of Favre’s passes. “When he gets time to throw the ball, he can pick apart everybody,” Longwell said.
Favre lives in a “fish bowl” in Green Bay, Longwell said, and because of the public attention Favre generates he can’t go out to dinner or the movies. Longwell remembered attending a movie with his friend where Favre had to enter the theater after the lights went off. “He’s larger than life over there,” Longwell said.
In a different way, Favre is pretty big stuff over here, too. Awhile back Sports Illustrated wrote that Favre was considered sports enemy No. 1 by Minnesota fans.
Over the years Longwell has been “amazed” at the accuracy and velocity of Favre’s passes. He said the the 16-year veteran can still make throws that separate him from other quarterbacks. Talk to Longwell, though, and you learn quickly he admires Favre as a person and enjoys his company. Both are three to four handicappers and played golf together during their Packer days.
“If you can’t get along with Brett, you probably have got some issues,” Longwell said.