Perhaps the die-hard Brett Favre fans expected all Packers fans to share their same sentiment in cheering for their favorite quarterback as he stepped out onto Lambeau field for Sunday’s game? But that was not the case as Boos from Packers fans widely outnumbered the cheers for the former quarterback…
Wisconsinites’ bond with the Green Bay Packers is unprecedented in the world of professional football, and Favre was once beloved by practically the entire state when he sported the green and gold. After all, he earned credit for bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Title-town after the team wallowed through two decades of mediocrity; not to mention ferociously battling many demons while simultaneously serving his team. And even though that is a part of history now, the player inside Brett Favre is no different than that when he was a dedicated Green Bay Packer player.
Other than a change in uniform and teammates, Favre’s passion for the game is still driven by that vein of sportsmanship and drive which still runs deep through his heart. This was clearly displayed, not only in his triumphant return to Lambeau Field as he took the Vikings to their 38 to 26 victory over the Packers, but in his post game statement to the press:
“I want to lead this Vikings team to a Super Bowl, believe me, I do. And I will do everything in my power.”
The rest of it was typical Brett Favre. Just like in the first game against his old team last month at the Metrodome, Favre was barely touched. When he needed time to look down-field, his protection was nearly perfect. When he took short drops, he fired the ball out quickly. The Packers failed to sack him again.
And despite all the emotions and feelings that filled the air at Lambeau Field, in the end Brett Favre offered respect for the game…
Today is a day of reckoning for Brett Favre…
What will his reception be at Lambeau Field when disgruntled fans get to spew their thoughts and feelings of his status of being a Minnesota Vikings player — the rivalry team of the Green Bay Packers?
What will the continuing saga of The Packers vs Vikings Rivalry turn out to be when ole’ Favre hits the turf?
I’m sure that for some Brett Favre fans the welcome will be warm, while others who feel betrayed of his choice to retire from the Packers — only to ultimately join an adversarial team will echo through Wisconsin with a resounding BOO! What a striking irony the day after Halloween…
I simply cannot wait to see the outcome of this controversial game at the Home of the Cheeseheads! As such, I’m only left with one thing to say:
When it comes to sports rivalry in Wisconsin, there is probably none greater in intensity than a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings — especially when its at Lambeau Field! And what exacerbates this Packers vs. Viking rivalry is the fact that Brett Favre will be treading the turf of Lambeau Field as an adversary, rather than the icon that packers fans used to coo… It’s the highly hyped rematch at Lambeau Field, where betrayed fans will be waiting with what could be a cold welcome as the Packers eagerly prepare to avenge their recent defeat at the Metrodome on October 5th. This may be a unique experience for Favre, but he is likely more concerned about the NFC North race between the Vikings (6-1) and Packers (4-2).
Meanwhile, Wisconsinite’s are preparing for this weekends game in a number of ways akin to atypical former Packers seasons, and video streams such as the following are pouring into media pool.
Needless to say, the Packers’ fan base is famously dedicated; regardless of the team’s performance. And despite having by far the smallest local TV market, the Packers have developed one of the largest fan bases in the NFL. Each year the Packers consistently rank as one of the top teams in terms of popularity. The Packers have one of the longest waiting lists for season tickets, with about 74,000 people as of May 3, 2007. In 2008 the list grew by more than 4,000 names; making the waiting list number larger than there are seats at Lambeau Field. It should be no surprise that with such a dedicated fan base ESPN.com ranked the Packers as having the second-best fans in the NFL in August 2008?
