The Decision Part II

Coming soon to a stadium near you, is the Decision Part II starring the ever aging Quarterback Brett Favre. With most sports fans still recovering from the hangover LeBron's televised decision has led to, we've been given almost no time to prepare for the sequel. Making its fourth appearance in as many consecutive offseasons is the talk of Brett Favre retiring. Rumors had it the 40 year old QB was calling it quits after reports were in that text messages were sent from Favre's phone to a number of his Vikings teammates regarding his decision to hang it up after 19-seasons in the NFL. But after what many are considering to be his best season ever, compiling 4,202 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes and a career best 7 interceptions and a 68.4 completion percentage, it would be hard to believe. And it doesn't help that he's faked a retirement before either.

The only thing slowing him down? His ailing ankle which underwent surgery this past offseason after being hit below the waist and getting tortured in the NFC Championship game by the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Vikings head coach Brad Childress and kicker Ryan Longwell who has been a friend & teammate of Favre's for 10 years dating back to the time the two spent together in Green Bay, both said they didn't receive any text messages or heard from Favre himself regarding his rumored retirement. Whether or not those rumors were true, the Vikings showed their true desperation and began taking precautionary measures by increasing their offer to Favre for a $16 Million guaranteed salary with another $4 Million in incentives. The new offer is an increase of the previous $13 Million he was offered. However, Favre said he would play if healthy and state his decision had nothing to do with money as usual. How many times have we heard that before?

After giving the Vikings a specific time frame to announce his decision, a rare visit to the teams training facility with friends and teammates took place after Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen, and Ryan Longwell all took a private jet to Favre's Mississippi home to help make his decision to return for a 20th season a little bit easier. The signing comes several weeks after Favre's last sighting that saw him throwing passes to a group of High School players. With the newly announced grandfather on their on their squad again, the Vikings along with those who bet on sports share a sigh of relief. The effect Favre has on the team was seen not only in training camp with the media or the lack there of, but also in sports books around the globe as their chances of winning the Super Bowl next season dropped drastically when curiosity was in the air regarding Favre's return. But now that he's officially back, the only question still lingering is, if his surgically repaired ankle will hold up for another season?