This was no ordinary press conference.
Brett Favre spoke to members of the Wisconsin media Thursday for the first time since his tearful retirement farewell 19 months ago, and the legendary quarterback was at times defensive, evasive and combative.
The normally long-winded Favre answered some of the telephone conference call questions tersely, and his usual folksy and easy-going manner occasionally gave way to defiance.
Favre is accustomed to a fawning media that laps up his every word. But after Favres messy departure from the Green Bay Packers organization last year and his roundabout arrival in Minnesota to play for the Vikings this season, he was asked some pointed questions.
Maybe Favre isnt used to that, or maybe he was trying to disguise some bitter feelings he harbors toward the Packers. Whatever it was, something was different about Favres demeanor in the run-up to Monday nights grudge match between the Packers and Vikings at the Metrodome.
Favre stated flatly that he has never been motivated by revenge against Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, who chose to trade the veteran quarterback last year and go with Aaron Rodgers as the Packers starter. When reminded that he was quoted earlier this year by Peter King of Sports Illustrated as wanting to stick it to Thompson, Favre said theres a difference between revenge and trying to prove somebody wrong.
Sticking it to somebody sure sounds like revenge to me, but Favre was in no mood to argue semantics. You can call it what you want, he said.
Favre said the reason he retired from the New York Jets after last season was because he didnt want to undergo arm surgery to prolong his career. He denied the notion that he was already planning a future in Minnesota back then, which is seemingly supported by his request to be released by the Jets.
Favres non-response about that was curious. First of all, none of that matters now anyway, he said. What matters is this game Monday night. Thats all that matters, and this team has welcomed me here. Its been a lot of fun. Its been a lot of work but Im having a good time, and thats all that matters.
It doesnt matter what jilted Packers fans think of him. If there are people disappointed and (they) picked sides, Im not surprised by it, he said.
So it is what it is. But I can't control that.
It doesnt matter about his damaged relationship with the Packers organization. Well deal with that later, he said.
It doesnt matter that he has never bothered to contact Rodgers. For what? he said.
It doesnt matter how others perceive his actions. I dont think I need to prove anything to anyone, he said.
This was not the Favre that Packers fans had come to know and love for 16 glorious years in Green Bay. He sounded different, but then, what do you expect from someone who feels perfectly comfortable dressed in purple?