Fran Tarkenton Hopes Brett Favre Fails if He Joins Vikings

The last time I thought about Fran Tarkenton I was in elementary school and he was on That's Incredible, cast as the third wheel opposite John Davidson and Cathy Lee Crosby. That was 25 years ago.

I bring it up not to point out that Fran was to reality teevee what Joe Theismann was to Sunday Night Football (and who, coincidentally, was linked to Crosby ... until he sued her, anyway), but to emphasize that professional athletes bound for the Hall of Fame can retire from the game -- and the media glare -- with some dignity.

Tarkenton last played in the NFL in 1978. And in addition to a brief career in front of the camera, he's also written books, started a software company, and served as a spokesman for all sorts of stuff. And now, the guy who took the Vikings to three Super Bowls (and, I suppose I should mention, went 0-3), has some thoughts on Brett Favre. You know, because he's the only remaining person in this country who hasn't weighed in.

From his appearance on Atlanta's 790 the Zone (via sportsradiointerviews.com):

"I think it's despicable. What he put the Packers through last year was not good. Here's an organization that was loyal to him for 17, 18 years, provided stability of organization, provided players. It just wasn't about Brett Favre. In this day and time, we have glorified the Brett Favre's of the world so much, they think it's about them. He goes to New York and bombs. He's 39 years old. How would you like Ray Nitschke in his last year (playing for) the Vikings, or I retire, and go play for the Packers. I kind of hope it happens, so he can fail."

Hmm. Not much room for ambiguity there. That said, I think a lot people -- many of whom were Favre loyalists up till the last few years -- completely agree. I know we're not treading on new ground here, and a lot of folks are tired of talking about Favre's annual offseason dalliance with re-unretirement.

Maybe so much so that they hope he fails in Minnesota next season should he end up there, although I take Tarkenton's point. If flopping in New York wasn't proof enough that Favre should take up fishing, then he'll need to out-flop himself in 2009. Hopefully, the message takes, and we can all get on with our lives.

And, yeah, I'm part of the problem for continuing to discuss Favre. Fine, blame me. But the guy ain't going away until he's ready, whether we talk about him or not. Plus, it's not like Tarkenton has been sounding off on Favre-mania from the start; as best I can tell, these are his first comments on the ole gunslinger.

At some point you just get consumed by it all. It's like being in a cult and Peter King is the guy handing out the cups of Kool-Aid. Only Tom Brady can save us now.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-27-2009 @ 4:19PM

John said...

There you go again, Ryan. Your week is just not complete unless you can find a way to bash Brett Favre.

"If flopping in New York wasn't proof enough that Favre should take up fishing, then he'll need to out-flop himself in 2009."

Your words, Ryan. I'm just wondering - Favre went 9-7 last year. That's a winning record, not a flop.

Yet, you have nothing but praise for Aaron Rodgers' accomplishments in Green Bay last year. To hear you talk, he is the new Messiah for Green Bay, Yet, he went 6-10 - a losing record. And two of those wins was against a 0-16 team. Can you explain your biases here? Or are you just that anti-Favre that nothing else matters?

5-27-2009 @ 4:51PM

ryan said...

Just anti-Favre and nothing else matters. I can't help myself.

Seriously, the Packers were 6-10 because of their defense, not Rodgers. They would have been worse than that if Favre had stayed in Green Bay. Pretty sure Brett winging interceptions the last month of the season didn't help the Jets.

Look, Favre's a likable guy, but we should just let him fake retire every offseason without comment? Really?

5-27-2009 @ 4:29PM

Hey Fucker! said...

i'd like to see Fran Tarkenton come out of retirement.

PissRash said...

what?

5-27-2009 @ 5:00PM

Ryan, you said...."the Packers were 6-10 because of their defense, not Rodgers." For the most part, it was the same group of defensive players and coaches as in 2007. In 2007 GB was 13-3, in 2008, they were 6-10. Humm, I wonder if they lost some leadership out there?

And by the way - the only quarterback statistics that count is W-L!

5-27-2009 @ 5:02PM

bkind7x said...

Um Tarkenton - it was the Packer's who wanted to move on and look for younger quarterback - Farve has been loyal to them all those years. Green Bay could have kept Farve and built up a good team around him until he faded (which he didn't the team did) - and then at that point started shopping for a younger quarterback - or simply have had a good back up - and shop even later on.
Disloyalty goes to the Packer's and Farve was pressured to retire early without going elsewhere all because the "loyalty" manipulation game. Farve could have played elsewhere without all the drama had he left there 3 or 4 years ago.

5-27-2009 @ 5:05PM

Greg said...

Favre has always been way way overrated. And why the media gives him so much attention is beyond me.

5-27-2009 @ 7:53PM

brettvsjeff said...

obviously you have no clue about football sir.is golf your sport?

5-27-2009 @ 9:32PM

decusa said...

I grew up with Sir Francis as my favorite athlete of all time--and no matter if Favre brought a Super Bowl win to Minnie that'd still be the case.

Still, idolizing someone doesn't mean you can't disagree with them, and it's precisely because I think so much of Tark that I want Favre here.

First of all, as someone pointed out, it was the Packers who betrayed Favre, clear and simple. You don't hear from the majority of his teammates from the gravy years describe him as anything but a consummate leader-team player.

And tied right in to that is that there have been very, very few players who have that on-the-fly, intuitive, yet deep and strategic understanding of the game that both Favre and Tarkenton had. Especially QBs, and especially in the era of the timing pattern and no-contact-past-five-yards-on-receivers rule.

I've spent the past three decades aching for another Viking QB of that type. Except for the Jim McMahon year (and Jimmy Mac didn't have the longevity but might've been even better at the Tarkenton style of play than Favre--as Ahmad Rashad pointed out in his book--making it really fun to beat Brett that year!).

But otherwise, I've had to love to hate and hate to love Favre as a Packer.

Sometimes someone gets riled about someone else not because they're so different but because they're so similar. I'm glad the Vikings had a front office and Bud Grant around in Sir Francis's last year, people who remembered all he'd done and still respected and appreciated him, so he didn't have to go through the betrayal Brett did in Green Bay.

But Favre did, and fought back, and so I still hope to hell he ends up in Minnesota. Not because I don't still remember and love Tarkenton and his ways, but because I DO.

5-27-2009 @ 10:22PM

Brenda said...

I, personally, hope Brett does sign with the Vikings and when they play GB, he kicks!!!!!!
That would be a wonderful sight for me to see ;)

5-27-2009 @ 10:26PM

Seriously Ryan,so many people are tired of hearing you rant and whine about Brett Favre.
Who would honestly give you a Job.Your journalism is nothing but un-professionel.
You should seriously find a new profession!!!!
Try to understand Brett Favre made Green Bay Packers what they where before this past year...Take a look at his stats with the Jets,not so bad except the ints if you ask me..Finishing 9-7,to me and where i come from is a winning record not a flop..yes last 4-5 games he looked terrible because of injurys,terrible as like your journalism except you have no injury you just dont know how to write.
And your whole thing with Aaron Rodgers is sad and a pathetic attemt to try to make him your boyfriend,as a fellow peer has said and i quote
"Yet, you have nothing but praise for Aaron Rodgers' accomplishments in Green Bay last year. To hear you talk, he is the new Messiah for Green Bay, Yet, he went 6-10 - a losing record. And two of those wins was against a 0-16 team. Can you explain your biases here? Or are you just that anti-Favre that nothing else matters?"

So in closing you can continue to bash Favre but i hope you start looking for a new job because the one here is not your cup of tea....

5-28-2009 @ 9:12AM

bretty

Thrill me with your acumen as if you have ever coached a day in your life.

5-28-2009 @ 12:28PM

Yes lamo i have coached football for 10 years...ask before hurting your tiny brain

5-28-2009 @ 9:19AM

packerbf4tb said...

What is the big deal about Favre wanting
to play again? Tarkenton's hissy fit and
angry comments are just that...he is purple
with envy...hopefully Favre will be the QB
remembered in Minnesota...Favre has more
class because he would never make a comment
like this about another former player.....
Tarkenton's comments actually make him look
bad....not Favre.....maybe Tarkenton wants to
come out of retirement......

5-28-2009 @ 12:12PM

Brian said...

It's the stupid media that likes to put spins on things. There is a reason you don't see Brett doing press releases about playing. There is a reason he refuses to comment. He doesn't want it blown into a media circus. But idiots like Ryan and other media jokes need something to write about. Why? Because they have no talent in bringing actual news. Let me know when Brett is back and I'll go watch a few games. If he stays retired then I'll keep my football he signed and watch some old highlights. He's a great quarterback head over to nfl.com and take a look at the records! He's name is sitting next to the greatest that ever played, give the man some respect.

5-28-2009 @ 1:01PM

JFCJR said...

At this point, I hope Favre comes back. It will be great to watch him get thrown around like a rag doll every weekend! Just how many more years is he going to torment the NFL........and especially his own fan base with this on & off BS??? I don't buy that he still wants to play. He just wants to go out on top "a la" John Elway. It will never happen. Talent wise and mental wise, he is not fit to carry Elway's jock strap! I was never a Packer fan but I always liked and had respect for this guy. NO MORE. He is a self serving egotistical moron. Cannot wait to go through this same soap opera next year at this time. The question is, which team will it be???

5-28-2009 @ 1:35PM

Why would you say that the vikings have a crappy front?i think they are pretty good.
and for you comparing him to elway come on now there is no comparison there.Favre is in a whole diff. league.Get a clue.
And as for what Favre is putting everyone threw no sir, its what them lame asses in greenbay did.
get a clue before you bring you no writing talent on here!!!!

5-28-2009 @ 5:05PM

oh yes you sound very mature for just being 2 years old.
i dont believe you know anything about football and i dont believe you coach any type of football.
you are just somebody that thinks they know what to talk about when it comes to football but obviously you have no clue.

anyhow,yes people are entitled to there own option and i respect that but when you get on the computer and just type things you have no clue about is what i have a problems with.so in concussion leave the blogs to the big boys,and
if you just need to see yourself type just bring up word pad and do your thing

5-28-2009 @ 5:12PM

Kid, you are talking out of both sides of your mouth, which is not surprising, because our lame response proved my point. And its quite obvious that you dont respect anyone elses opinion accept your own.

5-28-2009 @ 5:18PM

seriously,are you one of thos types that are like 40 and living at home with mommy in the basement with no life no friends just waiting for someone to respond to you ever so mature chatting...
im trying hard not to put you in your place and take your ass and school you but i shall not feed into you "ever so mature" chatting.
maybe you need to take a break and do something productive with your life like get one!!!!