Memories of Number Four…Past and Future

Prior to the 1992 season, General Manager Ron Wolf acquired Brett Favre from the Atlanta Falcons. I was stunned the first time that I saw him throw the ball downfield during a drill in training camp. What an arm! It was evident that he was something special, a unique type of talent. Later that same year, on September 20th, I was fortunate enough to be sitting in historic Lambeau Field.

It was a warm autumn day and the Packers were playing the Cincinnati Bengals. The home team fell behind early and to make matters worse, quarterback Don Majkowski was knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Down 17 to 3, the sellout crowd grew restless, sensing impending doom.

Enter number four. It wasn't pretty; he fumbled four times and was sacked five times. He did, however, manage to throw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The second, a 35-yarder to Kitrick Taylor with 13 seconds left, ended a 92-yard, 54-second drive that Favre engineered with no timeouts remaining. Instantly a legend was born. The victory would help the Packers start building their streak of winning seasons. That game that day sealed the deal for me. I had become a fan of the kid from Kiln, Mississippi.

17 long years have gone by since that game against the Bengals.

Being a Brett Favre fan has been a roller coaster ride, with plenty of ups and downs. Like any good roller coaster ride, it has been plenty exciting. Watching Favre develop, not only as a player, but also as a man, has added to the enjoyment of being a fan of his. Being a loyal fan, I stood behind him.

Since March 3, 2008 Favre has “retired” a couple of times, cried a multitude of times, and became a New York Jet. He retired again, only to then entertain the idea of joining the Vikings. Last month, Viking Coach Brad Childress said the quarterback would stay retired.

Exhausted yet? Wait, there’s more. As I write this, I am watching FSPN (Favre Sports Programming Network) deliver breaking news. Yes, it’s true. There is more. It’s not over yet.

Brett Favre is on his way to Minnesota to meet with the Vikings. Childress confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press Tuesday morning that the veteran quarterback was traveling from Mississippi to meet with the team.

Asked if the plan was to sign Favre on Tuesday, Childress replied: "In a perfect world."

Surely there are many Favre fans that are overjoyed with the news that their favorite hillbilly signal caller is “unretiring” - again. I for one am not among this group and I am not alone in feeling that way.

A few minutes, Favre’s former teammate Mark Chmura, speaking on 540 ESPN radio, was asked what his reaction was to the news of number four signing with the Vikings. He response was, “I just vomited a little bit in my mouth.” He later said, “I wish he would just stay retired, enough is enough.”

Well, I echo Chmura’s sentiments and I vomited more than just a little. Not because Favre is becoming a hated Minnesota Viking. We all know why he wants to play for Minnesota. It’s his way of getting back at Green Bay Packer General Manager Ted Thompson.

It is Favre’s way of giving the finger to Thompson.

Fine. What Favre doesn’t seem to realize is that he is also giving all of us Packer fans the finger as well. Or maybe he does realize it and couldn’t care less. That’s the petulant and pampered diva that he has become. It used to make me sad, now it just makes me angry to think I once defended this spoiled brat.

Yes, I have plenty of fond memories of Brett Lorenzo Favre, dating back to that warm autumn day in September in 1992. Unfortunately, the only memory I want of him now is seeing him lying in a crumbled heap, cringing in pain underneath B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett on November 1st. Oh ya, and he has to be helped off the field.

Cruel? Maybe so, but although Green Bay Packer fans are loyal, we aren’t all stupid. Brett, here’s the finger back at you. Until next time…from the booth.