Former Viking Named One of Sports’ All-Time Betrayals
NCAA coach Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss last week, picking LSU after much speculation about the man’s next steps. Because of the SEC rivalry, Kiffin’s move irritated Ole Miss fans and brought to life a display of sports betrayal. So, in the spirit of the week, Bleacher Report compiled a mighty list of all-time sports betrayals, and Brett Favre made the cut.
An ex-Vikings quarterback was named one of sports’ all-time betrayals, highlighted in a Bleacher Report list that still stirs debate years later.
Favre famously signed with the Vikings in 2009, good enough for No. 10 on BR’s list of 30.
Brett Favre Represents Vikings on ‘Betrayal List’
Yes, he betrayed the Packers.
Favre Checks In at No. 10 on BR Betrayal List
BR’s Lee Escobedo sized up the Top 30 sports betrayals ever, and Favre to Minnesota got the nod at No. 10.
He explained, “The Betrayer: Brett Favre. The Betrayed: Packers fans. For years, Brett Favre felt inseparable from Green Bay’s identity. His blue-collar toughness matched the franchise’s symbolism. That’s why his breakup with the Packers still carries a gut punch. Favre now admits the split was largely his fault, a messy stretch of retirements and unretirements around frayed communication, forcing fans to choose sides.”
“The 2008 trade to the Jets hurt, but it was his move to Minnesota in 2009 that fractured the relationship. Seeing him walk into the Vikings’ locker room, the Packers fiercest rival, overturned everything he once represented. He produced a brilliant season there, sure. But years later, Favre, Rodgers and the organization have worked to repair the bond, but that chapter remains one of the most complicated in Packers lore.”
Babe Ruth to the Yankees from the Red Sox in 1920 took the top spot, according to Escobedo.
A Betrayal, Indeed
In the sports realm, Favre to Minnesota was absolutely a betrayal for Packers fans. Favre spent one season in New York with the aforementioned Jets before turning purple, which probably softened the blow just a bit. Yet, at the time, the summer of 2009, Favre had done the unthinkable.
And it’s not like he struggled with the Vikings or played like a shell of himself in 2009. Favre was very much the real deal, posting one of his best seasons ever in the Twin Cities, especially late in September 2009 when he hit his groove.
It didn’t help the betrayal angle that Favre, rather publicly, stated he wanted to stick it to Green Bay, who had moved on to a guy named Aaron Rodgers. Favre’s Vikings defeated Rodgers’ Packers twice that season.
Packers Fans Get Last Laugh
But then, of course, the bottom fell out — the story of Vikings history.
Favre guided Minnesota to a wildly fun and impressive 12-4 record, including a playoff beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys, while Super Bowl hopes and palpability turned white hot. For fans who were there, it totally felt like Minnesota could end its Super Bowl-less-ness, and a former Packer would be the guy to do it.
Fast forward to the 2009 NFC Championship, and despite a litany of mind-boggling turnovers, Minnesota still had a shot to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1976. The Vikings persevered and came within minutes of the big game. Until the gunslinger version of Favre happened.
Favre infamously tossed a needless interception, and the Saints later secured a dub. Packers fans had a wonderful day. The betrayal arc didn’t feel so awful for the state of Wisconsin.
The Hall of Fame passer returned to Minnesota for one more season in 2010 — and played terribly, retiring thereafter.
Paving the Way for Packers Turncoats
Favre is the most notable example, but Packers history is filled with players who left Green Bay play to play for the purple team. Here’s a list of the most notable betrayals:
- Desmond Bishop
- Bashaud Breeland
- Brett Favre
- Robert Ferguson
- Greg Jennings
- Aaron Jones
- Ryan Longwell
- Dean Lowry
- Darren Sharper
- Za’Darius Smith
- Jan Stenerud
- Chandon Sullivan
- Robert Tonyan
- Eric Wilson
Current running back Aaron Jones is the most recent high-profile example, and he seems happy as a clam in Minnesota.
Other NFL Betrayals
The top NFL betrayal of all time? According to Escobedo, that’s Bill Belichick spurning the Jets to sign with the Patriots.
He explained, “Bill Belichick resigns as Jets coach on a napkin: The Betrayer — Bill Belichick. The Betrayed — All of New York. Imagine for a moment, it’s Jan. 4, 2000, Bill Belichick started his day like any other, grinding on a Jets treadmill before slipping out in an overcoat and briefcase that hinted something’s up.”
“Hours later and moments before a press conference meant to crown him head coach, he handed over the ‘HC of the NYJ’ resignation note. Soon after he delivered a shaky, 50-minute news interview that only intensified the cringe. Conspiracy theories bloomed about secret calls with Robert Kraft and a deal already in place.”
Belichick later won six Super Bowls because of the betrayal.
“What we know is simple: The Jets lost the coach Bill Parcells had groomed as his successor, and the Patriots gained the architect of a dynasty. One walk off that treadmill ended up changing the balance of power in the NFL,” Escobedo concluded.
The New York Giants letting Saquon Barkley leave for the Philadelphia Eagles checked in at No. 9.
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