Don't Say Goodbye (Brett Favre)

Chapter 6

“What if Odette doesn't go for the merger?
Urge her!

For as long as I remember
We've been told we'd someday wed
Every June until September
All their pushing and annoying hints
I've got bruises with their fingerprints
I can do much better, I am sure
He's so immature”

– “This is my Idea” from the Swan Princess

Chapter 6

The sixth time I saw him, I asked him to prom. I wasn’t dreading meeting him this time like I had in the past. We had reached a point where we could disagree but not hate each other for it. There was an unspoken respect we had for each other. There was something there that hadn’t been there before. In 1999, the Vikings made it to the playoffs again but lost their first game. The Packers split their games even, making it their worst season since Brett Favre took over. Brett also admitted his drinking problem and entered rehab. I was pleased to see him finally overcome it, for I knew it had been affecting him greatly.

The 2000 season was another painful one. I was starting to fear the Vikings making it to the NFC Championship Game; it always ended in a huge disaster. It was much less painful if they lost early on because our hopes and dreams weren’t totally crushed. We were swept by the Packers, but we had a good season. Randy Moss was amazing and worked well with our new starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper. We were torn apart the last game we played that year. The Giants beat us 41-0. It was humiliating. The only condolence was that the Packers did not even qualify for the playoffs.

Anyway, it was now the summer before my senior year in high school. I was nearly 17, and I had already gotten an internship with the Minnesota Vikings. I couldn’t have been more excited. I was finally going to start living my dream! I was sure I would be making my dad proud. Brett Favre had also sealed his fate as a Packer. This was what I brought when I met with him, speaking first for the first time of all our meetings. “A lifetime contract, huh?” I tried to keep my voice light and casual.

A huge grin crossed Brett’s face. “That’s right,” he said proudly. “The Packers are my first love. I will always be one of them.”

“I believe it,” I said in agreement. Though I hated his team, I couldn’t help but admire his loyalty. It was something not found in professional sports anymore, especially football. No one played for one team their entire career. It was amazing. And it was totally Brett Favre. He was inseparable from the Packers. Removing one from the other just wouldn’t be right. “It’s probably a smart move on your part. If you ever left or if they made you leave, there would be a riot in Wisconsin.”

Brett chuckled. “Yeah, they’re good fans. They love their team.”

“And they love you,” I noted. I appeared thoughtful. “Though, even if you did leave the Packers one day, I don’t think they would ever stop loving you.”

Brett raised his eyebrows. “Even if I did something completely stupid and crazy like join the Vikings?”

I smirked and rolled my eyes. “It would be stupid and crazy because us Vikings fans would kill you, no matter what you ended up doing for our team. But Packers fans… I think they would be mad at first, but they could never hate you. Maybe they should, but that’s just how they are.”

Brett chuckled and shook his head. “You’re probably right. I hear you’ve joined the Vikings’ team.”

A small smile appeared on my face. “Yep. I’m starting off as an intern and will work my way up. I would sign a lifetime contract with them if I could.”

“I suppose we’re now officially mortal enemies for life,” Brett said, amusement showing in his eyes.

I smirked. “That’s right, but we have to find a better reason than that for my aunt. She would think we’re just being petty.”