Sep 5, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Former NFL and Southern Miss Golden Eagle quarterback Brett Favre was honored at halftime of their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
8. Brett Favre
The 2009 season will always be remembered as one of the great years in Vikings history. All thanks to Old No. 4.
After a legendary run as the Packers QB, Favre forced his way out of Green Bay and spent a year in veritable exile with the Jets.
In 2009 Favre got what he wanted all along: a chance to join the Vikings and get revenge against the Packers.
And he would indeed get that revenge.
With Favre at the helm, the Vikings twice blew away their division rivals from Green Bay on their way to a 12-4 record and a #2 overall seed in the NFC.
The Vikes easily dealt with Dallas in the divisional round of the playoffs before coming up against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC title game.
Favre would take a beating against the Saints thanks to Gregg Williams and his dirty tactics, but would still manage to keep the Vikings in the game all the way to the end.
Unfortunately, the Vikings’ chances at a Super Bowl berth went out the window when Favre threw across his body on the final drive of regulation and was intercepted by the Saints.
Favre and the Vikings should have been wise enough to end the relationship right there, but unfortunately Favre would come back for a return engagement in 2010.
That return engagement would lead to a terrible season and a painful end to Favre’s career on the frozen turf of TCF Bank Stadium.
Despite the forgettable 2010 campaign, and his subsequent reconciliation with Packer Nation, Favre is and always will be fondly remembered by Viking fans.