Enough With The “Favre-lous”

A week before his fortieth birthday, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns to defeat his former team … prompting literally hundreds of sports websites to write headlines that contained the term “Favre-lous.”

Seriously, sports world.  1996 called.  It wants its Super Bowl headlines back.

Of course, the Green Bay Packers obviously want some of those headlines back, too, as the “nightmare scenario” that the Packers took such pains to avoid after the 2007 season finally materialized.

Favre retired from the Packers in March of 2008 after sixteen successful seasons, but by the summer of that same year he had changed his mind and wanted back in the league.  Green Bay declined to give him his starting job back, though, while simultaneously attempting to restrict where he could play.  In fact, the Packers filed tampering charges against … you guessed it … the Minnesota Vikings.

Favre eventually played the 2008 season with the New York Jets – where he earned a trip to his tenth Pro Bowl.  Unfortunately, an injury late in the season limited his effectiveness, prompting a second retirement.

Then came Favre’s on again – then off again – and finally on again courtship with Minnesota, which led to Monday’s much-anticipated nationally-televised showdown with the Packers.

With the loss to its former hero, Green Bay dropped to 2-2 on the young NFL season while Favre’s Vikings joined the Broncos, Colts, Giants and Saints as the league’s only remaining undefeated squads.

Obviously, the narrative isn’t as bad for Green Bay as it looks.

Favre – ageless wonder though he is – is not going to keep Minnesota in Super Bowl contention five years from now (at least we don’t think he will).  Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, can do that for Green Bay.

Rodgers, incidentally, had a sensational night – connecting on 26 of 37 passes for 384  yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

After the game, Favre embraced Rodgers and Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver, one of his favorite targets during his time in Green Bay.

Favre won seven division championships, three MVP awards, two NFC titles and a Super Bowl (XXXI) while playing in Green Bay.  He is also currently the NFL career record holder in nearly every major statistical category, including passing yards, touchdowns, completions and victories.

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