Published: Sunday, August 22, 2010
Favre holds two meetings with Vikings teammates
SAN FRANCISCO -- A year ago, Brett Favre made headlines when he admitted he addressed his teammates to let them know where things stood and why he had decided to play for the Vikings. This year it didn't take Favre nearly as long to take the floor. In fact, he did it twice in two days.
Favre first talked to his teammates and the coaching staff Wednesday -- a day after he rejoined the team -- to let them know he was fully committed to playing a 20th season despite the fact he had missed the first two weeks of training camp. A day later, Favre felt it necessary again to speak after a report by Yahoo! Sports quoted Vikings sources as saying one reason Favre almost didn't play this year was because of his disdain for coach Brad Childress.
Favre discussed his reasons for speaking in an interview with ESPN on Sunday afternoon before he played in the Vikings' preseason game against the 49ers.
Favre told the network that one of the points he and other team leaders made in the second meeting was that players needed to keep certain things within the team.
"If something is being said in here -- by whoever -- it's got to stop," Favre said. "It's hard enough to win as it is. Success does crazy things. So we had a good meeting. ... The schism thing brought us together last year. It really did because it wasn't true. I don't know if someone out there is planting seeds or what, but we wanted to nip it in the bud."
The "schism thing" Favre was referring to happened just after he arrived last season when ESPN reported that his presence caused some issues in the locker room.
Childress was not at the second meeting, which occurred Thursday, because he was spending time at the hospital with wide receiver Percy Harvin, who collapsed on the practice field that day after suffering from a severe migraine headache. "(Childress) didn't need to be there because he's getting beat up and he doesn't deserve it," Favre told ESPN.
There is no question there was friction at times last year between Childress and Favre when it came to how the offense was run, but that should have come as a surprise to no one who knows Childress' and Favre's personalities.
Favre said he felt the initial meeting he called this year -- which came at Childress' urging -- was just as important as last year's.
"I did feel -- more so than last year, believe it or not -- I needed them to know I'm all in," he said. "Not that they didn't know. I think they did just from me being there. And that was kind of the mantra from all of those guys: 'We knew if we got you here, we were going to get you and you'd be all in.' ... The hardest part for me is leaving Hattiesburg and the tranquility and that stuff, leaving that. But when I left it, I knew it was nose to the grindstone for five months now."
Favre, who said after the second practice it was like he never left, told ESPN he is 11 pounds heavier than last year but his waist size is smaller and he is not eating red meat or desserts and drinks only water.
As for how he feels, Favre said he has had the expected soreness in his hamstrings and groin and is dealing with a sinus infection that is being taken care of with steroids and other prescription medication. "It feels like my head is 40 feet under water," he said.
Favre first talked to his teammates and the coaching staff Wednesday -- a day after he rejoined the team -- to let them know he was fully committed to playing a 20th season despite the fact he had missed the first two weeks of training camp. A day later, Favre felt it necessary again to speak after a report by Yahoo! Sports quoted Vikings sources as saying one reason Favre almost didn't play this year was because of his disdain for coach Brad Childress.
Favre discussed his reasons for speaking in an interview with ESPN on Sunday afternoon before he played in the Vikings' preseason game against the 49ers.
Favre told the network that one of the points he and other team leaders made in the second meeting was that players needed to keep certain things within the team.
"If something is being said in here -- by whoever -- it's got to stop," Favre said. "It's hard enough to win as it is. Success does crazy things. So we had a good meeting. ... The schism thing brought us together last year. It really did because it wasn't true. I don't know if someone out there is planting seeds or what, but we wanted to nip it in the bud."
The "schism thing" Favre was referring to happened just after he arrived last season when ESPN reported that his presence caused some issues in the locker room.
Childress was not at the second meeting, which occurred Thursday, because he was spending time at the hospital with wide receiver Percy Harvin, who collapsed on the practice field that day after suffering from a severe migraine headache. "(Childress) didn't need to be there because he's getting beat up and he doesn't deserve it," Favre told ESPN.
There is no question there was friction at times last year between Childress and Favre when it came to how the offense was run, but that should have come as a surprise to no one who knows Childress' and Favre's personalities.
Favre said he felt the initial meeting he called this year -- which came at Childress' urging -- was just as important as last year's.
"I did feel -- more so than last year, believe it or not -- I needed them to know I'm all in," he said. "Not that they didn't know. I think they did just from me being there. And that was kind of the mantra from all of those guys: 'We knew if we got you here, we were going to get you and you'd be all in.' ... The hardest part for me is leaving Hattiesburg and the tranquility and that stuff, leaving that. But when I left it, I knew it was nose to the grindstone for five months now."
Favre, who said after the second practice it was like he never left, told ESPN he is 11 pounds heavier than last year but his waist size is smaller and he is not eating red meat or desserts and drinks only water.
As for how he feels, Favre said he has had the expected soreness in his hamstrings and groin and is dealing with a sinus infection that is being taken care of with steroids and other prescription medication. "It feels like my head is 40 feet under water," he said.
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