Brett Favre: Thief Without a Ski Mask

Word out of Minnesota Tuesday morning was that Brett Favre is texting select teammates that he will retire. Speculation was that his surgically repaired ankle was not healing as well as he would have liked.

Ed Werder of ESPN, yes that same Ed Werder Favre looked in the eye last year and told he will not play in 2009, is now reporting that “if healthy, Favre will play in 2010.”

So what changed in 24 hours?

Simple, Favre is now being offered an extra $7 million dollars by the Vikings to come back. 

Did the extra money magically heal Favre’s ankle?

Favre went on to say that his decision has nothing to do with money.  As many sports fans have come to learn, when an athlete claims it has nothing to do with money, it has everything to do with money.

Favre masterminded a money grab that would have embarrassed famed bank robber Jesse James.

The Vikings, who have shamefully left themselves unprepared for a possible Favre departure, found out the hard way that anyone is willing to use a little blackmail.  Some might feel that blackmail is a harsh word to use in this case, but I happen to feel it fits perfectly.

This was set up on draft day when the Vikings passed on Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Tarvaris Jackson is not a good NFL quarterback.  Proof of that is how quickly the Vikings brain trust sent $7 million dollars Favre’s way. Minnesota should have drafted Clausen to groom as a replacement for Favre. Now, caught with their pants down, the Vikings are looking very foolish for not drafting him.

When it’s all said and done, Favre will be taking the snaps on opening day against New Orleans.  The current retirement, the shortest of his many retirements, will be a long forgotten memory.

Favre has proven once again that he could care less about his legacy.  He had to know his reputation would take a hit if he pulled his usual summertime act. 

The man simply doesn’t care, and he might be right.  After all legacy doesn’t put food on the table, money does.  He knows that as soon as he throws his first of what will be many touchdown passes in 2010, all of Viking nation will once again declare him to be the savior.

Over the course of 24 hours the Vikings have gone from Super Bowl contender to possibly missing the playoffs and back.  Minnesota fans can only hope that this time around the team has learned a lesson and will be better prepared if Favre once again decides he deserves more of   owner Zygi Wilf’s money.