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Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

Hall of Famer Dawson questions Favre's desires

By Jason Cole

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, who spent the majority of his career and retired with the Kansas City Chiefs' franchise, questioned fellow quarterback Brett Favre's(notes) desire to play for the Minnesota Vikings after Favre spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers.

"I don't know why he wants to do it," Dawson said from the NFL's rookie symposium. "What has he played, 18, 19 years? He's relatively healthy. I assume he has all the money he needs. What made him what he was is what's inside him, how he loved the game. To me, he's picking some teams I don't understand.

"To be in Green Bay all those years and then go to Minnesota, that will arouse a lot of people. … This is a strong rival, not just a rival."

Dawson played the final 14 years of his 19-year career with the Chiefs (originated as the AFL's Dallas Texans), leading Kansas City to the Super Bowl IV victory in the 1969 season. When asked if he would ever have considered playing for a Chiefs rival such as the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos or San Diego Chargers, Dawson smiled politely, shook his head and said, "No, not at all."

"I played 19 years and knew that I wasn't the same quarterback that I was early in my career," Dawson said. "You know, you may be kidding yourself a little, but you know. He's not the same quarterback he was in the past. He can't be.

"Yes [he's still a pretty good one], but that's when you're surrounded by talent. … He'll have a great running back behind him. I understand the desire to play, but hopefully he doesn't get seriously injured. … I had some great years in Kansas City and eventually you have to say, when is enough? How much is enough?"

Asked about Favre's possible desire for revenge after Green Bay essentially forced him out prior to the 2008 season, Dawson found that bewildering. In particular, Favre (pictured) was offered a large amount of money by Green Bay to remain retired, but ultimately pushed for a trade to the New York Jets.

"Why? It's a game. Why revenge? I don't know all the circumstances about what happened in Green Bay. … Look at how much money they wanted to give him to stay home," Dawson said. "A lot of money. It's not a bad offer, but he didn't need the money. There was something else and that's probably what spurred him."

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

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119 Comments

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  1. Adam F
    1. Posted by Adam F Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:37 pm EDT

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    Favre needs to just stay retired and cut it with the "I don't know if I want to quit for real or not" drama
  2. jcorlieon
    2. Posted by jcorlieon Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:45 pm EDT

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    first!!!!!
  3. larry wayne
    3. Posted by larry wayne Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:58 pm EDT

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    faver want play i think should be able play for any team he play for i am 63 i still work for same company lot years if a body can do their job good they able to
  4. 1
    4. Posted by 1 Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:06 pm EDT

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    4th!!!! lol how stupid is it when f-ing ppl post what # they post at hahaha
  5. dprice048
    5. Posted by dprice048 Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

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    He is a idiot, period
  6. kacsports
    6. Posted by kacsports Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:13 pm EDT

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    Beginning to wonder if #4 is in the early stages of Bernie Kosar syndrome - Cutler going to the Bears worries me much more than #4 in purple...
  7. robert b
    7. Posted by robert b Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    go favre,go vikes,Minnesota loves you man!!!!!!
  8. sharebear
    8. Posted by sharebear Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:15 pm EDT

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    brett is a attention craving hillbilly. he'll come back here with the vikings and find out what we all ready know. He's washed up and doesn't have the heart for this game anymore. Being mad at Thompson isn't going to help him in December.
  9. hogchoker
    9. Posted by hogchoker Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

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    Favre can do whatever the heck he wants to do and Packer fans have a right to be ticked off if they want. All you Favre bashers have limited thinking ability, are dangerous to a democratic republic, and are forming the mindset of slavery. Obviously, Favre lives free and the rest of you bashers should learn a lesson from him.
  10. bob
    10. Posted by bob Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    Farve still has 4 or 5 years of playing football it don,t make any difference were he plays , he is still in the top 10 of the quarterbacks in the NFL.
  11. Josh
    11. Posted by Josh Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    wow frickin favre
  12. GUS
    12. Posted by GUS Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    F**k Farve
  13. Dennis H
    13. Posted by Dennis H Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:16 pm EDT

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    Go Brett!! I have always been a Packer fan and always will be. Seeing the distance that Thompson and his organization wanted from him just so he could say he had personally hand picked his team was a joke. I watched every Jets game and Packer game last season and 12 games into the season really thought the Jets were the better off team. If Brett is pain free I hope he plays for the Vikings and has his best season ever. He knows before anyone else if he still has it . It isnt about money.....It is because he still loves the game!!
  14. asigone
    14. Posted by asigone Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:19 pm EDT

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    Favre is still the man. He is still better than 70% of QB's.
  15. lLes
    15. Posted by lLes Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:24 pm EDT

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    favre does have some time left in him ....I think he played well last year but of course that was the first 9 games before his surrounding cast went away via injuries and he had do alot on his own...sad to say he is not young anymore and cannot do that...it should be obvious the reason he wants to play is because he loves the game...he got tons less for playing with the Jets than the 25 million he was offered by Green Bay to stay retired so obviously it is NOT about the money...unless of course he just like his arse whupped every sunday its his Job let him play
  16. Tony W
    16. Posted by Tony W Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:29 pm EDT

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    Benedict Favre... Any real packer fan will feel this as the ultimate betrayal. I have a Favre Jet's jersey and watched the majority of their games last year. I am 40 years old and he has been the only professional athlete that I was trully 'fanatic' about as an adult like my sport's heros I idolized as a child. When he signs in MN he is dead to me. To compare is situation on ESPN to Lombardi's year in Washington is ASSENINE.... that was the Jets... Hey Brett, what if Vince had 'retired' again and then replaced Papa Halas as coach of the Bears? No fricken comparison... don't insult us! All those packer fans that sympathized and cheered you on with the Jets will be gone if you sign with Minnesota. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN!
  17. emm
    17. Posted by emm Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    he is just full of himself. people really need to quit putting him on a pedalstool. hes good yes but hes not the only one and sure as hell wont be the last
  18. Christopher
    18. Posted by Christopher Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:47 pm EDT

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    @ tony W.
    Nope Vince instead went to the Skins, and put them in Gold with a huge letter on the side of their helmet. I am sure you remember the "Green Bay Redskins" he put together there. Talk about being a complete Benedict, he sold out the entire team. But what teams fans were the ones begging for the SB trophy to get named for what coach?
    But it was Curly Lambeau who got booted from Green Bay in a feud and ended up in Chicago. How did that tarnish his legacy with the fans and team. Whats your stadium's name there?
    Or Gregg and Adderly bolting to Dallas, effectively putting the nails in one dynasty to start another...
  19. Kristine M
    19. Posted by Kristine M Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Let the man play, you only live once.
  20. Tim
    20. Posted by Tim Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:20 pm EDT

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    I think Brett is still pissed over the way he was treated in Green Bay....not saying he is right but just saying I understand....he spent his whole career there and Green Bay did not draft very smart towards the end of his career....so I can see where he felt used.....and I can understand why going to the vikings fit....its a systems he has run before and he has a supporting cast....now is Brett the QB he once was physically....no not really...but mentally he is as strong as ever....I saw that in Unitas towards the end......in the superbowl with the jets...if united had 4 quarters he would of won the game....! So I do think this is great for football and the NFL and look forward to watching him play this year...give me something to look forward too.....and I am a Redskins fan....I wish we had Frave......Anything would be better the Campbell....lol
  21. andrew o
    21. Posted by andrew o Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:24 pm EDT

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    I am a lifelong Green Bay fan and have loved Favre ever since he took over for Majik man against Cincy. Even knowing how good Radgers looks to be, I think Green Bay should have brought Favre backlast year and I will cheer him on in Minnesota, except against the Pack. Go Favre Go! Go Packers Go!
  22. gatorron7
    22. Posted by gatorron7 Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

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    My problem with Favre, I am not a Packer fan nor am I a Vikings fan. But year after year he held Green Bay Hostage with his off again on again decisions about his future. Green Bay was left trying to guess who to draft or trade for waiting on his dicision. He plain and simple did not want to be a part of the team, he did not want to attend any pre camp activities. Management grew tied of it and made the choice to move on without him, Then he gets his feeling hurt.
  23. Redmetal52
    23. Posted by Redmetal52 Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    Go, Brett, go.. all the way to Minnesota.. just a little poetic justice to Eagles fans for ripping off Reggie White.

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