Brett Favre out again with head injury
The ironman quarterback was back on the field against the odds this Monday when the Minnesota Vikings faced off against the Chicago Bears. Favre had sustained a shoulder injury which ended his 297 consecutive starts streak last
week. The quarterback did not require surgery but doctors said that the injury could sideline Favre for 3 weeks. Favre defied the odds once again and played after missing just one game.
On Monday morning, the ironman woke up and said that his Shoulder felt much better and he could indeed start for the Vikings. He said that he didn’t know what changed after he was able to throw no farther than 10 yards on the previous
day. “Why I would even consider playing after that? I have no idea.” But Monday morning he went out in the pregame and threw a few passes. Favre felt well enough to play and he started once again for the Vikings.
His return, however, was short lived. Favre threw just 7 passes, completing 5 of them, for 63 yards, a touchdown and an interception before a head injury forced him out again. Bears defensive end Corey Wootton knocked Favre to
the ground early in the second quarter. Wootton slipped through the offensive line and got a hold of Favre. The quarterback was swung around as Wootton forced him to the ground. Fortunately for Favre, he landed on his left shoulder cushioning his fall a little
but his helmet impacted the ground severely.
“I kind of went blank there for a while,” Favre said. “I wouldn't say it was necessarily the hit. It was when I hit the turf.” The rookie Wootton beat left tackle Bryant McKinnie and rushed the quarterback. This was Wootton’s first
career sack and it could prove to be the last hit Favre faces. His return to the game was doubtful after the hit and before the 3rd quarter it was announced that he would not return.
Interim coach Leslie Frazier said that Favre had appeared ‘a little foggy’ when he talked to the coach. That was an unmistakable sign that Favre was concussed. Even after the game when Bears quarterback Jay Cutler met with Favre,
he was still showing signs of a concussion. “I think he was still out of it a little bit,” Cutler said. “I think he had a concussion.”
Making matter worse for Favre was the fact that the Vikings usual home, Metrodome’s roof had collapsed and the game had to be played in the University of Minnesota’s outdoor stadium in the snow. No heating coils had been installed
under the turf which was frozen solid. Many had warned that the ground was too dangerous but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell allowed the game to be played on the venue. He had been reassuring fans and players alike that the league had acted with due diligence
to make sure the surface was safe to play.
However, when Favre was lying on that very same surface, the Commissioner’s words came as little comfort to the fans, Favre teammates or Favre himself. The quarterback has had some memorable moments in Monday night football and
in the snow. “This may sound pretty crazy but I was looking forward to playing in the blizzard,” Favre said. When asked if the cold worsened the impact of the hit, Favre said the he wasn’t sure. He said that overall the field conditions weren’t too bad.
After the game Favre said that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to return to football. He said that in his condition there was no telling how well he could have held up against hits. He wished that he could have played longer
and better but he still did not regret playing Monday night.
Favre said that the concussion meant that he might not be able to play next week and that he probably shouldn’t play. “Based on my decision-making, I probably shouldn't tell you one way or the other right now.” Knowing Favre, he
would probably show up next week if he stands up to the league scrutiny regarding returning to play after concussions. If not, then he has lived the dream of an NFL player and has plenty to look back on.
“I got everything I dreamed of and then some. On to the next phase.”
Tags: