Brett Favre and the Mob Mentality: 10 Reasons Why We Hate Him
For Minnesota Vikings fans, public enemy No. 1 has been asked to leave the organization.
Over the past couple of weeks Brad Childress has been the target of blame from disgruntled Vikings fans for the precipitous fall the team has taken since being one 14-men-in-the-huddle penalty from the Super Bowl.
Oh how quickly this team went from one of the best seasons in team history to one of the worst—can you say "Les Steckel?"—in the span of 10 games.
Sure, in all new beginnings hope springs eternal, and with Week 12 of the 2010 season begins the Leslie Frazier era.
Yet the firing of Childress will not satiate the mob that is Vikings fans.
Their frustrations will be redirected to the next most visible culprit for the Vikings' failure—Brett Favre.
No doubt the "Fire Childress" signs that were prevalent in the Metrodome will be replaced with "Bench Favre" banners at the next home game.
Here are 10 reasons why we hate Brett Favre.
No. 10: Brett Favre Puts Himself Above the Team
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It is obvious that Brett Favre's consecutive streak of starting a game is more important than the Minnesota Vikings winning the game.
Ankle surgery could not keep him off the field.
Tendinitis in his throwing shoulder could not keep him from starting a game.
Two breaks in his foot would not prevent him from lining up under center.
Can a midseason coaching change finally bring an end to an incredibly selfish streak?
No. 9: He Allowed the Bitter Rivals of the Vikings to Humiliate Them at Home
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The Green Bay Packers' biggest rival may be the Chicago Bears.
This is mainly because the the rivalry goes back almost twice as long as that between Green Bay and Minnesota.
Green Bay has a 82-91-6 record against the Bears, while they have the edge over the Vikings with a 51-47-1 record.
On the Minnesota side, Green Bay is the only division rival the Vikings do not have a winning record against.
For hardcore Vikings fans, there is nothing worse than losing to the Packers, and the 31-3 drubbing was very hard to stomach.
The thrashing that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers put upon the boys in purple will leave a bad taste in Vikings fans' mouths for a good while.
The home of the Vikings is only a measly 31.8 miles from the Wisconsin border.
At that close proximity, there are many cheese eaters crossing the river into Minnesota each day, working side by side with Vikings fans. They will not let us forget this one for a long, long time.
No. 8: His Aw Shucks, Small Town, Backwater, Gee Whiz Persona Wears Thin
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Brett Favre wants you to believe he's just like everyone else.
There's not too many of us ordinary folk making $20 million in this down economy.
I've never had the opportunity to ride in a private jet.
If I look back over my time cards, I think I can come up with 295 consecutive days of doing my job, and it didn't take 20 years to do it.
He may wear Wranglers, but his wallet is a little heavier than just about everyone I know.
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No. 7: No One Over the Age of 40 Should Be Texting!
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Doesn't Brett Favre realize there are just some things that don't look cool?
With each generation come the differences that set us apart.
One must accept that and not try to fit in with those peers who call you Gramps.
What's next, wearing your Wranglers so low we can see your boxer shorts?
No. 6: Only a Meteorologist Can Be This Bad and Still Have a Job
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How long would you be able to keep your job if you performed as poorly as Brett Favre?
Sure, it's one thing to show up for work each and every day, but there is still an expectation that you will perform the job per the job description.
I know if I disobeyed a "request" from the boss I would be cited for insubordination and reprimanded, up to and including possible termination.
Yet Favre has gotten away with totally disregarding the direction given to him by former head coach Brad Childress, as well as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
For the everyday Joe, if they are incapable of performing their job, whether due to illness or physical injury, to the expectation of their employer, they would be asked to go home until able to perform their duties satisfactorily.
No. 5: Brett Favre Plays Like a Soccer Player
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Have you ever watched a professional soccer game?
Anytime a player gets "tackled" on the pitch (that's what they call the field in soccer), they will grab their ankle and roll around writhing in pain.
The game will be stopped and four guys in special vests will jog out onto the pitch and carry off the injured player so the game will continue.
Within minutes the player will exhibit tremendous healing power and be running out on the field like nothing has happened.
Perhaps Brett Favre is playing the wrong sport.
With all that has happened to this guy, there is no way he should still be playing.
One moment he is helped off the field after taking a vicious hit; the next he is refusing any treatment from the training staff while on the bench.
No. 4: Has Brett Favre's Poor Play Put the Franchise in Jeopardy?
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The Vikings own the Twin Cities.
No matter how good the Twins, Timberwolves or Wild are, the Vikings still rule.
Zygi Wilf was hoping to take advantage of the momentum of making it to the NFC Championship Game in 2009 to finally get public funding for a new stadium.
Surely another deep run in the playoffs and a possible Super Bowl appearance would help gain support that has been so hard to come by for Wilf.
Now, Favre's poor play and the prospect of a losing season will make the Vikings irrelevant.
The lure of a new stadium in Los Angeles could be all it takes for the Vikings to move West.
How does the Los Angeles Vikings sound? Almost as bad as the Dallas North Stars.
No. 3: From the Highest of Highs to the Lowest of Lows
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The Minnesota Vikings desperately need to win the Super Bowl.
They currently share the record for Super Bowl futility with the Buffalo Bills, going 0-4 in the championship game.
The three-time league MVP with two Super Bowl appearances and a title to his credit would surely be the one to take Minnesota to the promised land.
Last year at this point in the season the Vikings were 9-1, challenging the New Orleans Saints, who were 10-0 for the best record in the NFC.
The season ended with an overtime loss to those same Saints.
After bringing the Vikings so close, Brett Favre had everyone believing that he was the savior, the franchise quarterback that could finally get the Vikings over the top. After all, he was able to bring another title to Titletown, USA as the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
Yet this year he has proved to be nothing more than another shaman, or another snake oil salesman, whose promises we believed because we saw only what we wanted to see.
We were suckered into believing that the Vikings were so close, only to have the fragile reality shattered in a 3-7 record, culminating in the humiliating 31-3 loss to the hated Packers.
No. 2: He's Still Smiling All the Way to the Bank
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Not only is Brett Favre still cashing his paychecks, but he also got a 25 percent increase from last season.
At a time when many people are unemployed or haven't had a pay increase over the last couple of years, it's hard to fathom someone playing this poorly and not only still getting paid, but still starting as well.
Favre should take a page out of Lyman Bostock's book.
After signing a lucrative free-agent contract with the California Angels in 1978, he started the season poorly, batting only .150 in April.
Bostock attempted to return his April salary, saying he had not earned it. The Angels refused, so he donated his salary to charity.
Currently making $1.24 million per game, think of how many charities Favre could help.
Especially with the holidays approaching, what a wonderful gesture this would be.
No. 1: He's No Joe Mauer
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Right now there is no one Minnesota adores more than Joe Mauer.
Mauer is the quintessential local kid done good.
He represents everything good about an athlete.
He is not constantly in the news seeking to be the center of attention.
He seems almost to shy away from the attention and the praise that he is lauded with.
He is a team player, putting the team ahead of any personal accomplishments.
And he's made a commercial with his mother.
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