Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Abby Harvey

Of course the last sports column of the year at a Wisconsin school newspaper would be about Brett Favre. Why wouldn't it? Especially considering the latest news, or rumors, of his possible re-return to football. Even further, the hyped idea of Wisconsin's idol playing in purple.

As a kid from Minnesota, the idea is intriguing, but even still, my reaction is "Are you kidding me?" He already came out of retirement, if you can even call it that, last season - we all know how well that ended. Now, even though he's faced with an arm injury, his "itch" to play is aggravating him once again for a season in which he'll turn 40.

I'm split on how I feel about everything. Part of me says the guy obviously loves the game, so, who cares, let him play. Another part of me says, for God's sake, it's time to let go! The four or five summer indecision of "To retire or not to retire?" has become an involuntary tradition we're all forced to pay attention to. It's everywhere. I can't even walk across campus, from one class to the next, without overhearing people talking about it.

To address the first side of me, if he wants to play, let him play. Sure, I'm totally sick of hearing the retirement speech, but I don't blame him for wanting to play. Brett Favre IS football. It's been an integral part of his life for years and years; no one should expect a clean and quiet separation.

"The hardest part of it is the finality," Favre said after his last game, "especially when you expect to go on."

Columnists, bloggers and students are saying that Favre wants to get back at the Packers for cutting his time short, for no longer needing him - revenge through going purple. Even Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the move would be "a wonderful little salt to rub in the eyes of some of our Green Bay Packer friends."

While I see how someone could easily come to this conclusion, I really doubt he is considering playing for the Vikings as a way to get back at the Packers. The guy loves the game; I sincerely doubt he's that infantile and immature.

Now the other side of me, the side who's fed up with everything, like most people, says Favre shouldn't suit up for this season, not for anyone, especially not for the Vikings. I've heard the argument that on paper the Vikings should be Super Bowl worthy, but are going nowhere because of the severe lack of quarterback talent. Still, playing in purple would compromise his integrity; it's betrayal. In Wisconsin's eyes, that's sleeping with the enemy.

Despite the hiccup with the Jets, Favre is a Packer and he always will be - unless he moves next door to hit the turf in the Metrodome.

I already mentioned I'm from Minnesota, so I obviously support a chance of helping my home team, but not like this. This would have been awesome five years ago, but it isn't now. He's almost 40 and needs surgery; that can't be taken lightly or with such an idealistic viewpoint. He'll probably hurt himself early to mid-season and the Vikings will look expectantly to one of the quarterbacks thrown aside for Favre. Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson are already duking it out for the starting QB position - no one should be surprised if or when these guys react negatively to being thrown aside so nonchalantly for an old, injured guy.

So what now? Childress, seriously, don't sign Favre. I know it could be cool and everything, but the decision will enrage not only the entire state of Wisconsin and Favre friends everywhere, it'll hurt your own team. If you really, really want Favre, just hire him as an assistant coach.

This whole topic has set people off on wild, illogical tangents everywhere - I'm one of them obviously. I have the solution though. Ready? Favre, are you ready? Don't play. Make a statement as quickly as possible to crush the rumors and media hype and everything will go back to normal, the way it was when we all actually thought you were retired for real.

Knox is a senior print journalism major and sports editor of The Spectator.

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