The bandwagon of Brett

Written by Lacie Cuningham Tuesday, 03 November 2009 08:00

Before this NFL season, cheering for Brett Favre was on my list of things to do in life right next to getting fashion advice from Craig Sager and having a hair dyeing party with A.J. Pierzynski.

For me, a lifelong Vikings and whoever-is-playing-the-Packers fan, the thought of having to see Favre run around in a purple #4 jersey was like having to watch Osama bin Laden draped in an American flag.

When the re-unretirement was first brought up and rumors were circulating about a possible comeback, I have to admit I was torn.

Having Favre on my beloved team would mean having to see Deanna in the luxury suite above the field during every game, multiple times. God help us the day Favre decides to enter the MLB because between Kate Hudson and Deanna, the players would never be seen.

There is no denying Favre’s skill. He is exciting, he is passionate about the game, his consecutive game streak is one that may never be broken, and he has got that hot salt and pepper silver fox thing going for him.

There is also no denying his age and his now-tarnished reputation. Once regarded as the second coming in Green Bay, he is now seen as a wishy-washy traitor.

When everything was official and the purple #4 jerseys were in production, I still was anti-Favre. I could not wrap my mind around him still being able to compete as a 40-year-old quarterback in a league full of twenty-something superstars.

I gave him one game to not only prove himself, but to not get hurt. Bones get brittle at that age and no amount of Fosamax can prevent broken bones after a hit from Ray Lewis.

As the season began and the win column began filling up, I began to have more and more faith in Favre’s ability to not only win games, but also do what was asked of him and not try too hard to relive his glory days.

His play looks effortless and he still appears as excited about a touchdown or throwing a block for his receivers as he was a decade ago.

It still stings a little to see him play, but I am now converted and if he is going to play, I would rather have him play for me than against me, and I think a lot of the loyal Vikings’ nation feels the same way.

Not only knowing he has the best running back in the NFL behind him, which probably helps him sleep at night, but also knowing he has a new city and a dome full of purple Favre jerseys behind him every week does not hurt either.