Former Viking Fran Tarkenton Still Doesn't Like Brett Favre

Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday.

Less than three months ago, it seemed obvious that Brett Favre would end up playing for the Minnesota Vikings. As the rumors really got going, former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton lambasted Favre in a radio interview.

Wednesday morning, Tarkenton was back at it. He appeared on Sirius NFL Radio, and it's clear he still isn't a fan of the ol' gunslinger.

Tarkenton called the situation a "circus" multiple times during his appearance on "The Opening Drive."

"I really have no interest in what Brett Favre does. He kind of lost me a few years ago by retiring and un-retiring and here and there," Tarkenton said.

"I asked a few friends here, maybe 10 or 12 people we were out with last night. I said, 'What do you think about Brett Favre going back to the Vikings?' You know who cared? Nobody. It's good news for you guys. It's good news for television and so forth but the last time I heard ... football was a team sport, isn't it? It's not just about the quarterback."

He made it clear that Favre's signing is justifiably going to leave some Packers fans upset.

"I really think the whole Brett Favre saga of retiring, un-retiring, three weeks ago [saying] 'I can't play,' the Vikings said, 'We're moving on,' it's a circus," Tarkenton said Wednesday ... "It's an absolute circus, and it takes away from all the other things that are going on with the Vikings, with the NFL. We're getting ready for a football season and this is a circus and I just have no interest in it.

"Wouldn't you be upset if you're a Packer fan? I think you're going to have Packer fans burning the No. 4 Favre Green Bay jersey. I think the Packer fans have every right to be outraged."

While Tarkenton may have some decent points, he comes across like a bitter former Viking. It's hard to tell what he could be so bitter about, unless he thinks Favre's presence somehow takes away from his career in purple.

It's also hard to believe that he has "no interest" in what his former team is doing. You can argue that the Vikings are as close to a Super Bowl as they've been since that wonderful 1998 team fell just short. That should be a point of pride for many who have worn the uniform in the past, as well as the fans who have so loudly cheered those players through the years.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)

8-19-2009 @ 1:54PM

sweetmary777799 said...

I could see why the Packers fans might be upset, but then on the other hand players move from team to team all the time. So he is in Green Bay for years thats over and while he was there he was great. Now he is a Vikings, and all his records in Green Bay will still stand, no matter what you or I think. I welcome him to Minnesota, does that give them an edge up on the Super Bowl? Well thats a good question, you have to remember he is not a 25 year old man still, he is 40 and what he wants to accomplish is like a dream in his mind. Sure he wants to go to the Super Bowl what players doesnt. Can he still perform good enough to take the Vikings to the Super Bowl and win? Time will only tell if this is possible. As far as Fran goes and all his comments, believe me he is interested. Is he afraid Favre might beat some of his long standing records, only time will tell tell that too.

8-19-2009 @ 3:17PM

Money Mike said...

I realize that you're a Vikings fan, so you might have a different perspective on this than the rest of us (fans of every other team). We are all absolutely sick of hearing about this guy. He is the biggest diva in the league (absolutely craves the spotlight) and not a team player at all. He's so selfish that the only reason he suddenly "changed his mind" yesterday is because now he doesn't have to waste his time with training camp.

Bill Belichick was on Mike and Mike this morning and said that 25% of practice for the entire year has already been completed for the Patriots. That number might be different for the Vikings, but I doubt it's off by much. That's how important training camp is.

I would actually be worried if I were a Vikings fan because there's way Favre is possibly ready. Plus, he didn't even look that good last year.

8-19-2009 @ 7:09PM

I love Babe said...

sweetmary, I am a Packer fan. With that said, I could not agree with you more. Favre gave Green Bay his best years and then TT treated him poorly. TT wanted him gone and POOF, he was gone. That doesn't mean he finished playing though. Green Bay has the records and if they felt so strongly that Favre was no longer as good as Aaron Rodgers they should not feel any threat. I feel that he should play until he can't devote himself to it. At 39 he's still better than several other QB's out there in their prime.

8-20-2009 @ 12:13PM

knute9 said...

How many Super Bowls did Fran Tarkenton win ? ? ?

8-20-2009 @ 1:46PM

Frank said...

That blogger got it flatly wrong. He said that Tarkenton doesn't care about the Vikings when all he was saying is that could not care less about Favre. I agree with him. Favre is listening to his agent and using "reality" show tactics to bolster his public image. I'd guess that the endorsement offers aren't rolling in like they used to so they have to play circus game to stay in the public eye long after his 15 minutes are over.

8-20-2009 @ 1:54PM

jeffwalsh said...

I agree with sweetmary... and personally I think Tarkington just sounds like a jerk through all of this... as do many of the Packer fans who now bash Favre. I think it is going to be fun to watch... and just because some claim he is over the hill and that old QBs never win the big one, doesn't mean it isn't possible. There is a first time for everything. IF by chance the Vikings would end up lighting up the league and going to the Superbowl, boy the Packer Management would look like idiots. Not just for letting him go, but for squandering so many years not adding weapons for him to work with. Even picking up Aaron Rodgers when they did... they picked for good value, but value did nothing to help Favre have more weapons. I think its a shame the way it all went down and I'll never forgive Ted Thompson for how he handled Favre from years back and especially through last year.

8-20-2009 @ 2:34PM

Angirie said...

I too am a Packers fan. But, Favre needs to own up to the decision he made. The retiring/unretiring, will he play/won't he play thing has got to stop. It's time to be a man and own up to the decision he made when he held the press conference to retire.

8-19-2009 @ 2:13PM

hulk411 said...

tarkenton needs to stfu and keep his old ass in the closet were he belongs. last time i heard america was land of the free to do as you please with in the law. if he wants to retire come back thats his business. he just mad because he never won a title freaking loser

8-19-2009 @ 3:07PM

fouritiswritten said...

FRAN TARKINGTON SHOULD SHUT UP AND SELL USED SNOW MOBILES

8-19-2009 @ 6:14PM

brtjerry said...

Way to be Tarkenton. I think Favre is a nut. I think paying him 26 million dollars is a bit much.

8-20-2009 @ 6:47AM

HOTRODF15076 said...

Yes, I totally agree with you that Favre play until end. No one can stop him. TT did stop him because he wants him gonewhich I really dislike of him. Let Favre be until hes devoted to retire without force.
For Fran, He needs to be mature and keep his lip sealed. Fran cant be same as Favre cuz Favre has great record than he does smile. Maybe Fran is very jealous and need to speak up. Let Fran speak up and no one can hear him.
GO GO GO Favre and win more games.

8-20-2009 @ 8:08AM

vifon3 said...

he's only playing for the money....... you can't blame him, that's alot of money to pass up, would you turn down that much money ???? i don't think so

8-20-2009 @ 12:11PM

grahampuzzled131 said...

you don't have a clue. It's a total insult to have the cheesehead even on the team.

8-19-2009 @ 2:45PM

Roland Esquivel said...

Why does Brett pronounce his name FARVE, when clearly it's FAVRE ? And why do the announcers do the same thing ? Can't they read ?
And a guy that says his first name is FRAN shouldn't be talking trash about a football player !

8-19-2009 @ 5:34PM

ZaZapper said...

Hey Roland, check the history of the league before you make ignorant comments about something you obviously know nothing about. The league didn't start the day you saw your first game.

8-20-2009 @ 11:03AM

melmamer said...

actually u pronounce his last name far...the v is silent...just a lil fyi.

8-20-2009 @ 11:33AM

scottwindom said...

February..Wednesday...Favre. Get it?

9-28-2009 @ 7:45PM

ms90212 said...

Why do many fairly literate personalities on TV
and radio continue to use "could care less" to
express disdain, when it is the very opposite of
what they mean? Which I think is more to be
criticized than the strange pronunciation of a
French name or thing.

8-19-2009 @ 2:48PM

hsiunnu said...

Hey, haters of all stripes need to shut up. I grew up watching Tark and he's still my boyhood sports hero. He's one of the all time greats and no one will ever take it away from him. I'm absolutely thrilled that Favre is with the Vikings too--in large part because he reminds me of Tarkenton! Except this time we might erase the demons of the past. Or not, either way it's exciting. Tark and I have a difference of opinion, and even if he's coming at it with a tinge of envy I won't ever think less of him. Tark was one of the greatest, Favre is one of the greatest, nothing will ever change that--and it's just Ciskie who needs to pull his head out of his anus with all his attempts to fuel animosity, 'cause I'm pretty sure he's in violation of sodomy laws in at least twenty-eight states.