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BRETT FAVRE: Packing for Minnesota
Favre now in purple, gets rock star reception
Hundreds of fans flocked to the Vikings practice complex late Tuesday morning, awaiting his arrival. Satellite trucks and cameras littered the grass just across the street from Winter Park. Security was stationed in the parking lot and on the roof. A helicopter hovered.
And then at 12:10 p.m., the focus of long flirtation arrived.
Brett Favre was a Viking.
Coach Brad Childress ended a summer of anticipation when he pulled his black SUV into the parking lot, with Favre perched in the passenger seat. Fans jeopardized their well-being by racing across the small street en masse to chase Childress' Escalade into the parking lot. A single Eden Prairie police officer tried to maintain control. It was of little use.
Three weeks after Favre told Childress he had decided to remain retired -- and nearly four months after the Favre-to-the-Vikings talk began -- the player considered to be the final piece to a Super Bowl puzzle was on board.
"I completely dismissed it," wide receiver Bobby Wade said of Favre speculation that constantly swirled. "I didn't think it was an opportunity."
Favre, the villain in these parts during his 16 seasons in Green Bay, now seems to be a conquering hero to all those craving No. 4 purple jerseys. Just over an hour after his arrival, Favre had a two-year, $25 million contract in place -- it includes $12 million guaranteed this season -- and was on the practice field.
By early evening, Favre and Brad Childress -- "Chilly," as Favre repeatedly referred to him -- were standing on a podium in the Winter Park fieldhouse, trying to explain how something that took months to end with Favre deciding to stay retired had been rekindled in the course of a day.
Read more...
Blog: Access Vikings
Report: Favre could have cracked rib
ESPN's Michele Tafoya reports that Brett Favre said he thinks he might have cracked a rib when he took that big hit on a blitz from Kansas City linebacker Corey Mays in his first preseason appearance on Aug. 21.
Photo right: Mays takes down Favre
Jim Souhan, columnist
May 10: Friends, family of No. 4 know it's Favre from over
In the national media, Favre is often depicted as a prima donna. At home in Mississippi, he's known as a star who can blend into the crowd at a high school football practice or a local restaurant.
More from this series:
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July 15/ Access Vikings: Favre, Winfield and Williams case updates
Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins talk about Brett Favre, Antoine Winfield's contract and the Williams case. -
July 13: Coordinator Bevell visited Favre with trainer
Darrell Bevell made that trip along with a trainer, and he's the first coach to see the QB throw. Decision time remains uncertain. -
July 15: Driver: Favre's Green Bay legacy not in danger
Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver disagrees with those who feel Brett Favre’s legacy as a Packer will be damaged if the quarterback returns to play for the Vikings. -
July 11: Green Bay's Jennings doesn't care what Favre does
Receiver Greg Jennings said, "We’re focused on what we’re doing in Green Bay and if he shows up in that purple jersey then he’s the enemy now.” -
June 20: Favre pain-free; stamina an issue
Vikings coach Brad Childress said Friday that Brett Favre is "pain free" and that the key factors in whether the quarterback ends his retirement to play are endurance and stamina. -
June 21: Agent denies Favre has signed deal with Vikings
Vikings coach Brad Childress said Friday that Brett Favre is "pain free" and that the key factors in whether the quarterback ends his retirement to play are endurance and stamina. -
June 18: Wilf says ball's in Favre's court
The Vikings owner says the decision to play belongs to the QB. Favre said his shoulder is not ready yet. -
June 18: Ray Edwards says Favre’s prima donna act would have to end
The Vikings owner says the decision to play belongs to the QB. Favre said his shoulder is not ready yet. -
May 29: Tarkenton: "I can't put my arms around this as a Vikings fan"
Fran Tarkenton is sick of Brett Favre's waffling. But he's even more sick of the thought of his former team having the ex-Packers great at quarterback. -
May 15: Peterson likes Favre -- and the other two, too
Intrigued by the star QB, the Vikings running back diplomatically supported Jackson and Rosenfels. -
May 13: Burning bridges between Favre and Packers fans
Most Packers fans gathering in Hudson, Wis., still cherish their former QB, but that could change if he ever dons purple. -
June 17: Packers punt questions about Favre, Vikings
Until Favre actually puts on the purple uniform of the Packers' NFC North rivals, players, coaches and executives are doing their best to punt away any questions about him. -
June 17: Favre saga is unlikely to hit Vikings camp
The Vikings will be patient with Brett Favre. But they will want an answer before training camp starts in Mankato late next month. -
May 17: Shiancoe making no assumptions about Favre
The Vikings will be patient with Brett Favre. But they will want an answer before training camp starts in Mankato late next month. -
June 16: Favre admits he wants to be a Viking
The retired quarterback spoke for the first time about his courtship with the Purple, telling HBO that he wants to play if he is healthy. -
June 9: Favre family books rooms for Viking game in Green Bay
Brett Favre's family is ready for his return to Green Bay if he winds up playing for the Minnesota Vikings. -
June 8: Favre had surgery on shoulder last month
Brett Favre has taken a significant step in his quest to play for the Vikings, but that doesn't mean he will be wearing purple this season. -
May 27: Poll: Few Minnesotans want Favre to be a Viking
If the Vikings were to put their roster decisions to a vote, Brett Favre would not be wearing purple next season. -
May 15: Favre discusses options with top surgeon
ESPN says the retired QB has consulted with Dr. James Andrews and that the two have experimented with exercises to fix a torn biceps tendon. -
May 7: Favre is perfect fit for Vikings' offense
Provided he is healthy and takes part in offseason workouts, there is little downside to signing the future Hall of Fame QB. -
May 6: Don't bring Favre circus to town
By coaxing Brett Favre out of retirement, the Vikings would see ticket sales and media attention rise. But his divisive presence and equal-opportunity passes won't win a Super Bowl. -
May 6: Rosenfels tries to ignore Favre rumors
The quarterback acquired from the Texans in the offseason tries not to worry about things he can't control. -
May 6: Favre audible: 'NO' means maybe
A source confirmed that Vikings coach Brad Childress and Favre will meet at an undisclosed location this week to discuss the possibility of the former Green Bay great playing quarterback for Minnesota this season. -
May 4: Editorial: Fight Favre fever
Vikings should pass on the former Packer great. -
April 30: 'At this time': Favre's legacy of indecision
When Brett Favre says he's retired, that's it. Until he reconsiders, anyway. Here's a look at his history of indecision. -
February 12: Favre tells Jets he's retiring
Brett Favre informed the New York Jets on Wednesday he will retire after 18 seasons, ending a record-setting career in which he was one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks.
