Surprise! Brett Favre Returns to the Minnesota Vikings for Another Season

After yet another offseason of contemplating retirement, Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre has returned to the NFL for a 20^th season. Earlier in training camp, several members of the Vikings organization claimed that Brett Favre had texted them, "I'm done."

But, on Thursday, Favre reported to camp. According to John Krawczynski of yahoo.com, Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson and Jared Allen showed up at Favre's home Monday night and convinced him to return for another season.

Brett Favre's Retirement Retractions Are Nothing New

When Favre returned to the Minnesota Vikings, it marked the third time in as many years that he retired, then returned to the NFL. According to Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen of espn.com, Favre announced his retirement in March 2008 and again in February 2009. The circumstances of each case were different, though.

In '08, Favre was unhappy that the Packers were grooming QB Aaron Rodgers for his position. But, since he was still under contract with the Packers, Favre was unable to dictate for what team he would play. Unable to convince Green Bay to trade him to an NFC North team, Brett Favre finally agreed to play for the AFC New York Jets.

Following a controversial season in New York, the Jets released Favre in '09, which allowed him to sign with the team of his choice as a free agent. Playing in a dome stadium in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings were the clear favorite to land Favre. But despite the histrionics of Brett Favre's constant retirements and returns, he is not the only famous athlete to return after leaving.

Other Famous Athletes Who Reversed Retirement Decisions

During the '90s, #23 in Chicago retired, but then came back. Ironically, that statement is true in two different ways. Michael Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls to pursue a baseball career with the Chicago White Sox. When that did not work out, Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls to win a total of six NBA championships. But there was another Chicago star who did the same thing.

At the height of his career, Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs left baseball but later returned. However, Sandberg was never able to regain his earlier form, and the Cubs never made it to the playoffs in his second tenure. Of course, the difference between these two athletes and Favre is that Jordan only retired and returned one time each. But Favre's waffling has become a rite of passage in each NFL offseason.

Outlook for Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in 2010

Brett Favre is good at making teams contenders, but often seems to make a critical error at an inopportune time to cost his team a big game. In last year's NFC championship game, Favre threw a late interception to New Orleans Saints CB Tracy Porter. In 2010, teams will likely blitz Favre to test his bad ankle and defenders will constantly try to strip RB Adrian Peterson of the ball. This could lead to Favre making even more poor decisions, and Peterson running tentatively. The Vikings defense will keep them in most games, but look for the offense to fall off from '09. Green Bay will win the NFC North, while the Vikings struggle for a wildcard berth.

Sources

John Krawczynski, "Favre Comes Back for 2^nd Season with Vikings," yahoo.com

Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen, "Favre Tells Jets He's Retiring," espn.com

More NFL Articles From Associated Content

Top 5 NFL Players Who Should Be in the Hall of Fame But Are Not

Top 5 All-Time Greatest New Orleans Saints Running Backs

February 2, 2014: Super Bowl 48 Game Summary