No Word on Brett Favre’s Decision to Play Another Season in the NFL
There isn’t much that pro bowl quarterback Brett Favre has not done in the National Football League. He won a Super Bowl, was named the league’s most valuable player and he has already retired and un-retired twice. For the time being, Brett Favre is throwing passes to students at Oak High School and not to the Minnesota Vikings receiving corps.
As usual, Favre’s annual retirement has been dragged through the months of May up until July, as the entire football world eagerly waits for the drama to end. Will the 40-year-old quarterback return for another season in the NFL?
Favre has yet to tell the Minnesota Vikings if he will return for a 20th season, but most people close to the team and the league would be stunned if he did not come back.
"He isn’t working out for no reason," Vikings back-up quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said recently to the Associated Press. "I welcome him back. There's nothing I can do about it so I'm going to welcome him back and hopefully get to the Super Bowl."
That goal is well within reach for the Vikings if No. 4 returns in the line up. Let’s not forget to mention that Favre has managed to protect the ball this season, rather than turn it over with the wild throws and questionable decisions of the past, which led to costly mistakes and a record for most interceptions in league history. No, this is a far more conservative and precise Favre than we are accustomed to seeing.
Statistically, Favre is coming off his most productive seasons – if not his best in his illustrious career. He set the bar high for an “old man” as many young players refer to him, with career bests in completion percentage (68.4), quarterback rating (107.2) and fewest interceptions (7), while throwing for 33 TDs and 4,202 yards to lead the Vikings to an NFC North title.
Minnesota lost to New Orleans in the NFC title game and left Favre physically and mentally beaten. Although he threw over 300 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, it wasn’t enough to defeat a voracious Saints team that wanted to send Favre into retirement. Fast forward to more recent times and the iron man in Favre will have you believe he is completely healed as he posted a statement on his website reminding everyone that his ankle problems didn't mean his career was over.
Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin said to the Associated Press; "you can't blame Favre,” for his uncertainty to come back or let go of the game he loves.
"I tell people all the time. Don't be stupid. Don't allow your ego to make you walk away from the greatest thing you will ever experience. The unity of walking onto a football field with 52 other guys, you have one purpose, one goal and one heartbeat. Wow, what a feeling.
"You make them drag you off the field. You will never have this again in your life."
It’s always impressive to see an athlete, at this stage in his career, be such a valuable asset for a team. Surely his decision will deeply affect the Vikings chances to have a good season and go to the Super Bowl. All the tools are in place for something great. With a physical defence that keeps the offence on the field, along with the services of Adrian Peterson, the league’s leading rusher in 2008, the Vikings are a well-rounded team. The only concern heading into the 2010 season rests at the quarterback position due to shaky performances from a long list of players trying to fill the void.
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