http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090718/PKR07/90718037/1954/PKR03 If Brett Favre shows up at Lambeau Field wearing a Minnesota Vikings uniform on Nov. 1 to face the Green Bay Packers, count on Dorsey Levens and Antonio Freeman being there.
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Levens and Freeman, who were inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame Saturday at the Lambeau Field Atrium, wouldnt miss that scene for the world.
I think it will be crazy, Levens said. Im going to do everything in my power to make sure I get there to see it firsthand.
Freeman added: It would be a momentous-type day, something that would go down in history for sure, if and when it does happen.
Favre has yet to sign a contract with the Vikings and show that his surgically repaired throwing arm can withstand the rigors of another NFL season.
Some Packers fans have labeled Favre a traitor for wanting to play for the Vikings, but neither Levens nor Freeman has a problem with it.
He wants to play football, and why shouldnt he? Levens said. Its his decision. Ultimately, its his body. Its his career. He can do what he wants to do. And he is exercising that right and its his right.
Freeman said he would encourage anybody with the ability and desire to play in the NFL to go for it, even at age 39.
If he was my son, I would say, Look here, son, you are a football player, you did your time in Green Bay, Freeman said. Now the script is for you to be somewhere else. Why not get one more year out of it, if thats what you want to do?
After spending eight seasons with the Packers, Levens extended his career three years by playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. Freeman also spent one year with Levens and the Eagles in 2002 before returning to the Packers for one final season.
Neither was shocked when the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets last summer.
This is the NFL, and nobody is safe, Levens said. Toward the end of your career, nobody is safe. And thats just the nature of the business.
We saw it happen to Joe Montana, my idol Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith. Unless you do a John Elway or Jerome Bettis and you retire after winning the Super Bowl, on your own terms, chances are its going to come down to that.
Freeman said he would advise Favre to return for the right motives.
If hes really into it, if hes really into playing 16 games for this team and not sticking it back to the Packers for two games, Freeman said. If you really want to have the chance to help this football team and not quit on this team, and being there for training camp, sweating blood for this team, Id say go play.
Levens could see Favre playing beyond this season. Hes been tough as nails his whole career, he said. I wouldnt be surprised if he played another three or four years. I honestly wouldnt.
Levens said he understands why some fans would struggle with the notion of Favre in a Vikings uniform. But thats not a good enough reason for Favre to stay retired.
He still wants to play, and he cant play in Green Bay, Levens said. So what do you do?"