Report: Brett Favre Used Green Bay Packers' Phone to Call Minnesota Vikings' Coaches

Last week the Packers charged the Vikings with tampering, alleging that the Vikings violated league rules by talking to Brett Favre about a potential comeback in Minnesota.

That raised an obvious question: How would the Packers know that Favre and the Vikings had talked?

The answer appears to be that Favre called the Vikings' coaches on a Packer-issued cell phone that he continued to use even after he retired.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote last week that a team-issued cell phone provided the Packers' evidence of Favre's calls, and today Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune passes along a report that first appeared in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

when the team checked the phone records it found "repeated calls to coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell."
The possibility of Favre having used a phone issued by the Packers had been speculated on last week after the Associated Press reported that Green Bay informed the NFL it felt "an investigation of the phone records would show more than 'normal contact' between the Vikings and Favre, even before he formally asked for his release to play for another team."

I've always thought of Favre as one of the NFL's more intelligent players. If he really used a Packers phone to inquire about playing for the Vikings, I may need to reconsider that assessment.

Legends in Strange Uniforms

For Packers fans, the thought of Brett Favre in another uniform must be excruciating. For the rest of us, it's just plain odd. But he wouldn't be the first icon to don a strange-looking uniform late in his career.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Joe Namath and the glitz of Hollywood! It seemed like a perfect match. Unfortunately for the Rams, Joe's knees were shot when he moved to La-La Land in 1977. Namath only played in four games before calling it a career.

Allsport / Getty Images

Being a part-owner of the Wizards wasn't enough for Michael Jordan. When his competitive juices would not stop flowing, he suited up with Washington and played two good, but far from great, seasons.

Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE / Getty Images

After a long stint with the Giants in San Francisco, Willie Mays came back to New York in 1972. But this wasn't what any fan wanted. He produced little for the Mets and left many thinking he had stayed around too long.

After retiring from the Red Wings, Gordie Howe returned to the ice for seven more seasons, the last three with the Hartford Whalers. He was 52 when he finally hung up his skates.

Denis Brodeur, Getty Images

Babe Ruth is synonymous with the Yankees. Even their stadium is called "The House That Ruth Built." So it still comes as a shock to see the Bambino donning a Boston Braves uni in 1935 as his career ended with a whimper.

Not every team switch by an icon has a sad ending. Joe Montana enjoyed two productive seasons with the Chiefs after leaving the 49ers and almost took K.C. to the Super Bowl in 1993.

Vince Bucci, AFP / Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-22-2008 @ 5:43PM

Jack said...

Free is free! Favre would make a good back-up/back-up, right behind Brad Johnson who's behind Tony Romo. He'd look good in blue and silver, but who wouldn't? Go COWBOYS, soon to be SIX Time World Champions, WOW! Out, J

7-22-2008 @ 6:34PM

tom said...

the "boys"will never win squat with romeo romo at qb......

7-22-2008 @ 7:03PM

hootie_69 said...

Tom - You're quoting Skip Bayless, so not only are you stealing someone else's line but it's the words of a contrarian hack to boot. Pitiful.

7-23-2008 @ 10:59PM

roger said...

your an idiot

7-22-2008 @ 8:24PM

lapistola said...

Tom - ""boys"will never win squat with romeo romo at qb......"That was a incredibly pitiful and somewhat idiotic statement, pal. Yes, the guy has yet to when a playoff game, In all his time in the NFL as a starter. One and half seasons under that veteran belt of his and and two playoff appearances(two pro bowl also). Not to mention the beginning stats of hall of famer to be QB. Oh yeah, you're right Tom, this guy couldn't possibly win anything

7-23-2008 @ 4:11PM

Mark said...

I saw Romo play against The Bills last year. You remember what a TERRIBLE start he had to that game? He was basically embarrassed by what was an inferior, injury depleted defense. He had every reason to QUIT! So what did he do? He brought his team back and they won the game!!! I think that says a lot about Tony Romo and what he is made of. He'll be around and he'll win his share of playoff games eventually.

7-22-2008 @ 8:25PM

Therese said...

Hero to Zero in the blimk of an eye!

7-22-2008 @ 8:48PM

B from Kee said...

Why are you idiots blogging about the dumb ass Cowboys,
following a Vikings- Packers story.

7-22-2008 @ 10:12PM

These are the comments following a blog post. You aren't allowed to call people idiots when you can't properly use all the words in your one sentence reply correctly.

7-22-2008 @ 8:56PM

nick said...

I was going to write about Brett but since we are on Tony Homo.........Romo the Homo hasnt won anything!!!!!!!H.O.F
qb i dont think so last time i checked ALL the other qb's in the hall have won at least one playoff game.Romo in the Hall HA! HA! only inbred redneck texans would say something so stupid.

7-23-2008 @ 2:45PM

txgirl282 said...

First of all not all cowboy fans are in Texas, Idiot. There are many of them outside of the state. I for one hate the cowboys and agree that Romo is going anywhere.
Secondly all the inbreeding happens in Arkansas and Alabama!!

7-23-2008 @ 2:47PM

Correction...ISN'T going anywhere

7-22-2008 @ 8:55PM

howard said...

What is Green Bay afraid of. Let brett play wherever he wants. What your doing to him is unsportsmanship...Thought this was a free country..guess your not as sure of your players that you hold one against his wishes...shame om greenbay

7-22-2008 @ 9:09PM

blaneguy911 said...

Because they are stupid cowboy fans. And because they like Romo the HOMO !!!

7-22-2008 @ 9:07PM

RDELOYD said...

Favre doesn't deserve anything. He retired a Packer and when (if) he request reinstatement he should become a Packer again. Then he should be the second string qb since his gunslinging ways are old and tired. if this was anyone but Favre, the world would be all over his butt.

7-22-2008 @ 9:41PM

=M= said...

howard- it's called a contract. Considering you most likely live in a capitalist society, you might want to look into it. Don't bring that "free country" crap- it makes you sound incredibly ignorant. It's never good when you sound like Stan Marsh's dad.

7-22-2008 @ 11:39PM

CHRIS said...

Let's talk football. Can Brett Favre really be effective as a quarterback for a team he has spent no time with? Brett Favre is a legend and he has earned his place in football's history as a great player. My Vikings have lost alot of games to the Packers with Mr Favre as their QB. There is nobody I would rather lose to than Brett Favre. Give him his repect and if he wants to go somewhere else, let the powers that be work it out and lets just play some football!!!!

7-23-2008 @ 12:44AM

oman said...

can you say Brett Favre WASHINGTON REDSKINS.......

George B Vieto said...

My belief is that Brett Favre felt insulted by the Packer management for saying he would be a back up to Aaron Rodgers and he wants to play for a former coach that he knows very well and he called the Vikings on the Packers cell phone. Yikes man bites dog.