Favre Visits Doctor; Decision Next?

MANKATO - Brett Favre's decision should be near.

The quarterback traveled from Hattiesburg, Miss., to Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday morning to have his surgically repaired left ankle examined by Dr. James Andrews, according to NFL sources. The NFL Network reported that Favre was aboard a private plane owned by his agent, Bus Cook. Andrews has an office in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

What Andrews told Favre will be key because the future Hall of Famer has said the ankle has not responded as he had hoped it would after surgery was performed by Andrews in late May.

Favre, who led the Vikings to a 12-4 regular-season finish and the NFC title game last season, now will have to decide if he can play a 20th NFL season. Many believe Favre will return, but last week he attempted to tell the Vikings that he planned to retire. The Vikings encouraged Favre to take more time and also sweetened his potential salary from $13 million for this season to a package that could reach $20 million with bonuses.

Thursday marked the Vikings' final practices in Mankato, and no one ever expected Favre to show up while the team was here. The Vikings likely are hoping to get a decision from Favre by the middle of the month. Last year, Favre ended his retirement and joined the Vikings on Aug. 18.

So what does this mean for the now  unpredictable Brett Favre? Does it mean, he'll return in within a week just in time for the 1st regular season game Vs The New Orleans Saints. Does it mean that the time-frame of his return is with seven days? Yes, I believe so. Brett Favre wants to skip training camp because he doesn't need it and what better way to get off scotch-free from the press then to keep on saying that you're ankle is a little stiff.C'mon, let's backtrack to Brett Favre's last few off-seasons. His reasons for skipping camp was that he wasn't sure if could come back and play another punishing season in the NFL. Wake up America, Same storyline; different excuse. His excuse for skipping training camp this year is his ankle because the retirement waffling was growing a little hard to conceive. In other words, Brett Favre will play football, possibly into his mid 40's as long as he's able to step out on the field, but just will keep on putting Minnesota Vikings fans through the same punishment every year unless: he wins a Superbowl, or he just completely can't compete either because of his body or ability to play at per say, "stardom level."

Lance Armstrong

Brett Favre

To think that Brett Favre isn't returning this year is like saying Lance Armstrong is done with cycling. They both persevere through their obstacle, injuries, and media hype and return for another year while fighting off  the Media's backlash. Lance Armstrong and Brett Favre won't quit his respective sport because there is no substitute for the thrill and excitement of top competition  and as long as they are able to sustain their professional careers, you better bet they will regardless of a few aches or pains. Give Armstrong his bike and he'll remain happy and give Favre a football and he'll be happy. It's as simple as that to these guys. They both show pure love, passion, and excitement for their respective sports like no other athletes. When they drop out of their sports, it'll be like the passion and joy just got sucked out of the sports. That's the true sentiment that Favre Means to football and Armstrong to Cycling. They could care less about money, records, or endorsements they just love soaking of the limelight playing football or racing Alberto Contador. These guys play for the the passion of winning  and for the pure love of the game.