The Big Gamble

In case you've been living under a rock for the past couple days, Brett Favre came out of retirement for the 30th time and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Yup, those Minnesota Vikings. The same team that plays in the Metrodome, where Favre has a 6-10 career record. The same team who has fans that pretty much treated him like the devil for the past 16 years. Yet, after all this, Brett Favre will wear purple for the first time officially tonight when the Vikings host the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's pretty amazing how most Viking fans have turned on a dime to worship Farve since the signing. For a guy that was hated so much, it was almost surreal to see a helicopter following him along I-94 as he made his way to Winter Park. Once there, Favre was greeted by a bunch of fans who looked like they were 13 year old girls watching the Beetles in concert. It didn't stop there, retailers are in a royal rumble to try and supply the incredible demand for Brett Favre jerseys, a thought that would have seemed like pure fantasy just three years ago to Minnesota fans. The jerseys are flying off the shelves and are going for 200 bucks on eBay.

However, I've decided to take a more cautious approach to this gamble by the Vikings. While most fans have been running up and down the streets of Minneapolis screaming "We're going to the Superbowl", blaring Will Smith's 1998 hit "Miami", and booking hotel rooms for the first weekend in February, I've thought of it like this. Brett Favre is so throwing his reputation on the line.

Let's talk about if he fails first because I'm a pessimist. If Favre fails, he automatically becomes the most villainous figure in Minnesota sports history. He soars over former North Stars owner Norm Green and people would have gigantic bonfires with their purple Favre jerseys. This would be amplified even more if the Vikings lost in the NFC championship game due to a Favre pick six against...oh...let's say the Green Bay Packers?

But, what if he succeeds. He flip flops roles in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Suddenly, Brett Favre's number 4 could be retired by the Vikings and...GASP!!! PUT INTO THE VIKINGS RING OF HONOR??? Favre becomes the Grand Marshall of parades and gets a key to the city. Favre is running around kissing babies and then decides to run for Minnesota Governor in 2010...and wins! In other words, the entire state of Minnesota becomes a bunch of hypocrites.

Yes, both extremes are on the line here. Favre's gamble is this. Fail, and be welcomed back with open arms by cheeseheads or succeed and be worshiped by Scandinavians.