The retirement and un-retirement of Brett Favre is becoming an annual rite of the NFL preseason, and this year is no different. A few months after retiring from football after playing last season with the New York Jets, The Gunslinger is back in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, who’ll pay Favre $12 million bucks if he’s on the opening day roster.
Favre made his announcement at a Tuesday press conference where he spoke of the decision to come back for another NFL season:
“I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be. You’re 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don’t have to do that much and I agree with that. If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too. I don’t know how I’ll feel a year from now, five years from now, but I didn’t want to say what if.
The Vikings will pay Favre $12 million this season and $13 million next season. If he makes the opening day roster in either year, he gets the full amount of the contract though the payments themselves will be deferred.
Favres mother Bonita Favre was asked for her comment by the Biloxi, MS newspaper:
“I have mixed emotions, but I have always loved to watch him play. This time, however, I thought he would stay retired and stay home. I guess he could not do it. They Minnesota seem to have a good team in place, and he liked that. I guess I need to get a Vikings jersey now.”
After consulting with noted sports physician James Andrews, he had a change of heart despite suffering a slight rotator cuff tear last season:
“I just kept thinking I didn’t want to go through what I did last year. Between three weeks ago and the phone conversation yesterday [with Vikings coach Brad Childress], I talked to Dr. [James] Andrews and he assured me it wouldn’t be an issue. I felt if everyone was going to take that chance, I was to. As friends and family has told me, you never know until you take the chance,”
Favre said that during a practice throwing session several weeks ago that his arm didn’t feel 100% but did feel pretty good leading him to take the chance and return to action. He’s optimistic that the Vikings can make a deep run in the NFL playoffs:
“I felt from my standpoint that I could offer some experience and leadership, and I have to admit through this whole process after I said no three weeks ago, sometimes I was OK with it, and other times I said. I can really help this team.”
Favre will wear his iconic #4, thanks to Vikings fourth string QB Josh David Booty who graciously gave up the number. Booty will wear #9. Less happy with Favres signing were Viking QBs Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson who were competing for the starting job and will now be relegated to backup status.
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and highly respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and World Cup betting sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
Title: Vikings Lure Brett Favre Out Of Retirement
Duration: 0:00
Submited by: Ross Everett
Category: Football
Added on: February 6th, 2010
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