Brett Favre: Once a Hero, Now the Enemy

That's right, Brett Favre is back for a 19th season and will be leading the Minnesota Vikings on the field come Sunday against his old coach, Eric Mangini, and the Cleveland Browns.  Favre just doesn't look right in purple-and-gold, and this season is sure to be either a success or failure.

The fact that Favre turns 40 in October raises enough questions in itself.  He unfortunately was traded to the Jets last season, but he was successful early on.  As the season went on, his body physically started to break down.  If that happens again this season, it is not going to be easy for the Vikings.

Favre has only been in Minnesota since he decided to come back on Aug. 18.  There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding that right shoulder of Favre's.  He went through the process of having surgery on his torn bicep and rehabilitated all summer.

It is quite clear that this is the chance Favre wanted.  He is back again because he believes he can still play at a high level and gives this team a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl.

His coach, Brad Childress, obviously has confidence that Favre will be able to win games for the Vikings.  There is no doubt that Favre has been electric in the past and thrown a whole lot of touchdowns in this division.  The only difference now is he is aging and who knows how much is left in that surgically repaired right arm.

In what seems like forever, the fans of Minnesota always saw Favre as the enemy.  As the face of the Green Bay Packers, how could he be anything but hated?  Now the tables are turned and it's the Packers that are going to see Favre himself twice this season.

What a sight it is going to be on Nov. 1 when Brett goes into Lambeau Field as a visitor.  He brought a Super Bowl to that franchise, led them to multiple NFC North titles, and became a legend.  They offered him a heavy amount of money just to stay retired last season and he objected.

How will Packer fans react when Favre takes the field as a Viking?  There is probably going to be a combination of a whole lot of boos, as well as a few cheers.  He was the leader of the Pack for over a decade, but now as Favre's playing days are outnumbered, he is hurting the legacy he built in Green Bay.

He was the hero of the Packers, but now is quarterback of a division rival.  Remember, he will be taking the field against a team that he took to the NFC title game in 2007.  It's a hard pill to swallow for most NFL fans, and especially for those who stuck by Brett his entire career to date.

Nevertheless, how the Vikings and Favre compete this season will play a large role in how people view this "Iron Man" competitor when he finally decides to hang his cleats up.  It would be a shame to see Favre go down with an injury this season, but when you're playing quarterback in the National Football League at his age, anything can happen.

Favre has gone through a lot of trials and tribulations under the spotlight in the NFL over the years.  This is going to be another time when he either elevates his game to another level or it all comes crashing down.

Just remember, he is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.  His numbers don't lie and there is no denying what he has accomplished on the field.  That will not change no matter how the 2009 season ends up for Favre.

He is taking an enormous risk in coming back this season.  Then again, we are talking about Brett Favre.  It has never stopped him before.  Why would this be any different?  Brett is now the enemy of the franchise that loved him like a son. 

Favre still loves the game and believes he has what it takes to win another Super Bowl.  Now it is time for Favre to go out and accomplish what he came back to do.  The world will be watching.  Let's hope he doesn't disappoint.