BRETT FAVRE PROMISES TO PUT INTERCEPTION RECORD OUT OF REACH

August 19 2009

Minneapolis, MN – With the decision now made legendary quarterback Brett Favre finally don a football helmet again, this time in the colours of his one-time bitter division rival the Minnesota Vikings. A year ago the Vikings were one of the principal
suitors, ultimately losing to the Jets. Now with Favre officially donning the purple and black, the on and off again retirement of the future Hall of Famer has finally been decided for the time being, leaving him free to add to his remarkable numbers.

One of the numbers that Favre will undoubtedly be pursuing will be one which he already dominates. With 310 interceptions Favre is by far the leader in giving the ball to the other team with George Blanda a distant second place, throwing 277 in a 26 year career. Now with one more go at the gridiron Favre is setting his sights on putting the interception record out of reach permanently, something that seems almost a certainty now that he will be helming the lowly Minnesota Vikings who, though improved since last season, are still the Minnesota Vikings.

“I think the guys will know that I’m in it for the right reasons, and that’s because I still
love to play. This is not about revenge or anything like that. Believe me. You can’t take away the 16 years I had in Green Bay. It was unbelievable. It was great, and that will be forever cherished by me and the guys I played with. They’ve moved on. I’ve moved on. I think it’s great for football,” said Favre at a Vikings Press conference. “I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be. You're 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don't have to do that much and I agree with that. If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too.”

Favre signed a two-year deal with the Vikings but has not ruled out the possibility of playing beyond that contract. Already he has mentioned Jacksonville, San Diego, and former arch-rival Chicago as possible destinations after the contract with Minnesota expires.

"When it comes to his next temporary retirement he will have to look at places that will best suit what he is able to give a team. In Minnesota he will mentoring rookie Percy Harvin and with a good but not great defence he will be forced into a lot of throwing situations which will do him a great deal of good in increasing his count,” said Scrape TV Sports analyst Mark Marvins. “Where he is as far as numbers are concerned and what other teams are able to offer will go a long way into what his decision will be. Because it is Brett Favre and the magic he is able to create as far as ticket sales go I can see a lot of teams trading away their offensive line in hopes of snagging him, even for a year.”

It’s not clear if Favre intends to stay in the league as long as Blanda but doing so would likely result in ever increasing numbers as his arm continues to age.

“There are a number of individual interception records that he doesn’t yet hold but it is likely he is just looking to increase the gross number. Doing that will assure him a place in the record books that would likely never be challenged,” continued Marvins. “Everyone goes for touchdowns and completions so those records may ultimately be broken but he can keep playing, and ticket sales will ultimately determine that, then he may put the interception record permanently out of reach.”

Warren Moon currently holds the record for most career fumbles, though Favre is currently ranked third and is expected to easily take the top spot particularly if the Vikings play Viking football this year.    

Alexi Orton, Sports Correspondent

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