Jim Souhan looks at the circus that has taken over the Vikings’ preparation for Friday night’s preseason game:
If you can get past the nagging facts in this story of a 40-year-old, self-absorbed, surgically repaired, still-injured, flipflopping quarterback who shunned training camp and manipulated his way onto the roster of the rival of the team that made him a record-breaking legend, you must come to this realization:
Brett Favre signing with the Minnesota Vikings ranks among most stunning stories in the history of sport.
If you can get past Favre signing a deal worth a potential $25 million and showing up for his introductory news conference looking like the Unabomber, if you can withhold all of the “You might be a redneck…” jokes after seeing him in his cargo shorts, gray stubble and sweat-stained golf cap, you must recognize the uniqueness of this event.
The most iconic quarterback of his generation, a player who mastered the most important and scrutinized position in sports while revitalizing the quaintest franchise in football, in two years maneuvered his way from the team that not too long ago regarded him as a deity to the team that not too long ago regarded him as Diablo.
While I don’t think the story is quite as big as Souhan does, I can’t disagree with this summary:
If Favre fails, the Vikings can’t be faulted for investing money, time and patience in the one position they had failed to upgrade since Childress’ arrival. If Favre succeeds, the Vikings will become the No. 1 story in the No. 1 sport in America. They will sell countless jerseys and tickets, and perhaps even raise the profile of their stadium pursuit in the Legislature.
I’m willing to see Favre succeed in his quest, if only because it would also mean the Vikings will succeed as well. I still mentally picture him wearing the wrong uniform, though.
