The man who once was suspended an entire year for gambling is looking to place a new wager.
Former Packers running back Paul Hornung thinks that former Packers quarterback Brett Favre will fail as a member of the Vikings. And Hornung is willing to put his money where his mouth is.
"[Favre] ain't going to win in Minnesota," Hornung recently declared at a local rubber-chicken dinner, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "I'll bet on it."
Hornung isn't the first Hall of Famer to openly root for Favre to flounder. Several weeks ago, former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton said he's hoping that Favre fails, prompting a back-and-forth with former NFL defensive end Marcellus Wiley regarding the question of whether guys who used to play the game should wish bad things on those who currently wear the NFL shield.
Hornung's new wager? Bet against Favre
Posted by Mike Florio on July 15, 2009 10:37 AM ET
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47 Comments 
Latest stories in: Green Bay Packers, Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Transactions, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Green Bay Packers, Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Transactions, Top Stories
packers have a hall of fame running back? i would bet he is broke. bettin against a sure thing like favre... lol
Seems like you are trying to stir the pot again Florio. Hornung doesn't seem to be rooting for Favre to fail, he is simply saying in his opinion that Favre will not be successful with the Vikings.
When you act like as much of a petty, vindictive douchebag as Favre has, you're not going to have too many people rooting for you.
I will enjoy watching him fail this season.
The only "sure thing" about Favre is his womanly indecision and attention-seeking.
And that he'll increase his record as all-time interception machine, exponentially...
Oh, and that he loves to caress Childo's bald head while snuggled up together on rainy nights.
Favre's white. That alone should be reason enough for Hornung to like him...
I just realized something. THANK GOD THOSE ANNOYING ADVERTISING BUBBLES ARE NO MORE!
Paul Hornung - the original turd of the NFL.
You can just see Florio smiling when an ex-pro talks against Favre, another opportunity to hammer away at Favre while looking like you are reporting something.
On Tuesday Keyshawn Johnson was on ESPN radio and said Favre would bring veteran leadership to the Vikings. Don't report that, it might look like someone wants Favre in Minn besides Chilly.
I'm sure Paul thinks the Vikings need better black athletes to compete just like Notre Dame
Bet against Favre? More like "Brett" against Favre.
(If this crappy pun doesn't discourage Florio from writing more Favre updates, nothing will.)
Paul Hornung invented the modern running back, and the toughest out there. Never bet against him! I had to chang my dogs name because of that jack@#! wanting to wear the loserville purple and gold! Good luck Brett you'll need it playing for the Minnesota Viqueens. Hell bring back Warren Moon to be backup while your at it.
Easy bet.
He would be playing with ... the vikings.
Who would bet against Paul Hourning?
Is their anyone who thinks Brad Childress can get his his head "coaching" career over .500?
I would hardly call Favre a sure thing after last years 9-7 record with the Jets. At one point in the season the Jets were in complete control of the division, then Favre's "late season heroics" led them straight to third place in the division.
I used to be a huge fan of Favre, but after last summer and this summer, I wish he would just go away!
At this point, I'd rather be reading about a possible kicker competition within the UFL.
mikethevike says: July 15, 2009 10:51 AM
packers have a hall of fame running back?
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Mike - I'll take Paul Hornung over Hugh McElhenny any day.
Idiot.
A sure thing like Favre? Yeah those 11 years since he won a Super Bowl were also "sure things". Remember when the Packers played the Giants in the NFC Championship game? Favre was a SURE THING to win in the cold...the only SURE THING was that Brett lost his edge in the cold and it was apparent when he threw to Donald Driver, the only man covered, to end his career in GB... Mikethevike, it's funny you should ask if the Packers had a HOF RB, the Vikes bolster a HOF class of (2) Offensive players, one a lineman, and the other..well, Fran Tarkenton, who wants Favre to fail. It's bad voodo when your only real Hall of Famer wants this sideshow to fail. But it's always the same with Viking fans...Being a Viking fan is like wearing shorts in MN. Once October hits, you can forget about them.....
Tarkenton is afraid that Farve is going to try to steal the spotlight as the host of the new "That's Incredible".
Hornung is just pissed that Farve is, by a landslide, the most recognizable player in Green Bay history. Even people that were old enough to see Hornung play forgot about him. Hornung's favorite phrase is "remember me?".
Hey, Action Dan, don't even acknowledge such a foolish person.
Anyone can look up the 5 Packer running backs that are in the Hall of Fame.
Even without the rating system here now, let the ignorant viking fans display their ignorance.
How dare he speak out against the Favre, and have an opinion.
Training camp cannot come soon enough.
mikethevike: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=99
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hornung
He is not broke and is a successful business man. You must have him confused with Carl Eller.
Ummm, Favre doesn't currently "wear the NFL shield", and neither does Fran Tarkenton, so the criticism and wishes for this douche to fail has nothing to do with Favre being someone who "currently wears the NFL shield". Favre retired... uh, let's see, for the THIRD freaking time this past offseason. The guy deserves all the criticism and wishes of failure that he gets.
"question of whether guys who used to play the game should wish bad things on those who currently wear the NFL shield"
That's easy, because Favre is an a$$hole. For a guy who has his separate locker room and doesn't engage with his own teammmates, he comes across as an egomanic me-first flaming butthole. The real question is why the Vikings even think this is the answer. I would rather lose with my long term answer at QB than put my future in this broken down INT machine who has demostrated an inability to win a playoff game. Hell, the Vikings already do that on their own without Brent Favre's help.
I still believe that Farve will stay retired. He threw a 100 passes last week and stated his arm still hurt and was not quite right, and he said he wanted to play with the Vikings if healthy. He is not 100% and will not be so I expect next week Farves will announce " As much as I would have liked to play for the Vikings, the injury to my shoulder will not allow me to play up to my standards" I do believe that will happen.
# ZombieRevolution says: July 15, 2009 11:15 AM
On Tuesday Keyshawn Johnson was on ESPN radio and said Favre would bring veteran leadership to the Vikings. Don't report that, it might look like someone wants Favre in Minn besides Chilly.
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Like the veteran leadership he brought to the Jets last season? Hiding out in his own office, rather than the locker room with his team mates? Yeah, give us more of that.
Why does so many football fans and old time players think Favre should have any loyalty to the Packers!! This is the modern NFL of free agency and its not like the Packer braintrust ever welcomed him back with open arms. Bottom line he is a great football player and a true ironman!! As a Viking fan I only disliked him because he was so competitive and hard to beat. I welcome him to the team for that reason alone, not to mention his leadership. Leave the personal stuff aside and focus on the football player!
Let him sign already....He throws more touchdowns to our linebackers than he does his receivers
FinFan76 says:
July 15, 2009 11:23 AM
I would hardly call Favre a sure thing after last years 9-7 record with the Jets. At one point in the season the Jets were in complete control of the division, then Favre's "late season heroics" led them straight to third place in the division.
I used to be a huge fan of Favre, but after last summer and this summer, I wish he would just go away!
At this point, I'd rather be reading about a possible kicker competition within the UFL.
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People continue to blame Favre for last season's meltdown. The coaches knew about his injury. They could have pulled him. They didn't. That is on the Coaches, not Brett. They took a chance that Brett Favre at 50%-60% was still better than a 100% healthy Kelly Clemens. The Jet's organization did themselves a disservice by not having a capable backup. They didn't have to trade Pennington. They could have help an open competition and let the best man win. Also, no crap Brett's arm was sore after throwing 100 passes. The recovery time for his surgery is 6-8 weeks, it has been only 6, and who knows how many weeks overall it has been since he had previously thrown a football. If anyone of you put a certain group of muscles through an 100 rep work out once every 8 weeks, you would be sore too. Especially, coming off of Surgery.
And as for the former fan of Favre... Either you are a fan or you are not. Favre hasn't changed who he is. And if your loyalty to a player is shaken so easily, then that says more about you than the player. I personally enjoy watching Favre as a player. I may not appreciate the two-sided drama (Favre has never acted alone), but when he steps on that field I will really enjoy watching a hall of famer play a game he loves.
Finally, for the invidual who says he will enjoy watching Favre add to his interception record. I will enjoy watching him add to his career touchdown total as well as watching the Vikings win games with Favre. The Vikings were a good team without Favre. They will be a better team with him. Hornung is way off base with his prediction!
I believe that is spelled Hourning!!!
Funny how some Packer Fans fail to mention who badly Al Harris was schooled in that NFC Championship Game against the Giants and they also fail to mention how the Packers coaches sat on their thumbs and watched Al Harris get schooled by Burress without changing the coverage or bringing him some help and how did the Packers star running back do in that game ?
Yep Favre lost that game all by himself. Packer Fans are such dillholes, I should I know I was one for 20 plus years until Ted Thompson came to Town.
Always a Fan of Favre !!!
I am utterly stunned by the ignorance by some on this forum, It's almost as bad as foxsports...
Favre got screwed over in green bay, quit calling a guy who loves a sport so much that he just can't quit a loser, or an asshole...these are probably the same f***ers that glorify ocho and owens. Ignoring the flip-flop, this should be what we respect in sports, the willingness and drive to not give up. Exactly why I love hockey.
As for the Mn situation. Favre is definitely a step up from sage and jackson. And with such a dynamic offense, we just need someone who can toss the ball and read D. What a better veteran QB to have for the situation. The Vikings are going to have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. AP and Chester holding out the running game, a solid O-line to open up holes and protect, Berriam up top, and Harvin in the slot... The D is going to be so spread that a vet like Favre isn't going to have to force anything. That is if Chilly does his job right this year. I can't wait!
Imagine if he DOESN'T return now?!?
He's alienated at least 80% of the football world (including his former fanbase, former players, current players, coaches, etc.), and willfully surrounded himself with an enormous purple cloud of stank for no good reason...he'll have put a huge purple traitorous stain on his "legacy"/memory while never even having taken a single snap for the Vikes!!
Glorious!
And then...the fall-out among the current Vikes QBs, now all embittered and mistrusting and even LESS confident than before (if you can imagine!), while the fans and the front office shorten their leashes even more!
And the fanbase, split in two, and twice as frustrated with Childo and Pygi for jerking them around and leading them on...
All because Favre batted his eyes at the Vikes and showed 'em a little leg (arm?)...
How funny/awesome would THAT be?
Plus, as an added bonus, the Favregeddon coverage would diminish to, say, maybe only 5 daily mentions in every television/radio/internet/newspaper segment, instead of the usual 48!!!
Keep your fingers crosssed!
I have no problem with Favre playing. If someone will pay a guy to do a job, and pay that well, it's the Vikings that should be catching the heat and not Favre.
And, it sounded like Hornung was making an observation and not putting the voodoo curse on the guys season.
Favre didn't split the fan base, Ted Thompson did. Actually I should send him a thank you card, I put a new deck on my house with the money that I use to spend on the Packers.
KILLER FIN says:
July 15, 2009 12:30 PM
I believe that is spelled Hourning!!!
Actually I believe it is spelled Whore-ning! He was signing autographs at the time no doubt for money to pay off his other gambling debts.
I would love to know why Packer fans are so pissed at Favre. He was traded......by Cyclops. He is just looking for another job. Besides if he really blows like you guys think he does you should want him wearing purple. My guess is that you are scared sh1tless that he takes them to the Super Bowl.......finally!
KILLER FIN says:
July 15, 2009 12:30 PM
I believe that is spelled Hourning!!!
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You believe wrong.
As for Hornung, I thought he was dead...
"I would love to know why Packer fans are so pissed at Favre. He was traded......by Cyclops. He is just looking for another job. Besides if he really blows like you guys think he does you should want him wearing purple. My guess is that you are scared sh1tless that he takes them to the Super Bowl.......finally!"
If he was "just looking for a job", he'd be back with the Jets this season - remember, the team he signed a 2 YEAR deal with? He's out for revenge on Ted Thompson, it's as simple as that.
By the way Viking's fans, guess what happens if Brent brings you to the promised land your franchise is dying to get to? Your franchise will get little to no credit for it. Do you really think the Favre-loving media is going to give any love to the rest of the Vikings, their coaches or management, if Favre wins a Super Bowl there and then rides off into the sunset?
Favre just want's to play!!! the Pack offered the big $$ to stay retired I'll bet he wishes he'd have taken the $$ and ran!!! he could have taken the year off & the un-retired like Deion did!!! I like Favre but he needs to decide!!! WE ALL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, most of the time it's not the right answer but, IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!
If a 37-year old Gus Frerotte can go 8-3 with the Vikings last year, a 39-year old Farve can definitely do much better.
I got money on that.
The Jets don't have nearly the offense or defense the Vikings have....he'll be asked to do much less.
Paul Hornung at a rubber chicken dinner...obviously it was a joke, guys....
The Vikings won that crappy division with Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson and you think Brett Favre will fail? Hell, half the men in America could suit up for them and win that division.
lioninwaiting---You'll still be waiting, so while you're waiting, do some homework on the Packers---Most recognizable player in history?--Does the name Don Hutson ring any of your bells? How about a middle-linebacker who wore number 66? We've had several as good or better than Favre, and most with much smaller egos and just as muchor more talent, and they too played with heart.
Why do some pretend to think that Brett was run out of GB? While the fault isn't squarely on Brett, it isn't on TT either. I don't know whats not clear about the following events:
- Favre waits on decision
- Favre is given decision date
- Favre retires
- Favre tells team he is thinking about playing
- Team schedules trip to Miss. to announce he is coming back
- Favre tells them he decided he's not coming back
- months pass
- Favre decides he wants to play
- Too late that ship has sailed
It just looks to me like someone needed their ego stroked.
alewatcher says:
"Like the veteran leadership he brought to the Jets last season? Hiding out in his own office, rather than the locker room with his team mates? Yeah, give us more of that."
This is all based on the Thomas Jones comments, I have not been able to find any of his other teammates supporting this (but I could be wrong). No one here was in that locker room (who was supportive when they were WINNING), yet like Florio everyone thinks they know the situation....
Prouddad, I agree with you 100%. The only difference is in publicity and heart. Those guys played when men were men, and they played because they loved the competition. Favre seems to be caught in the limelight of stardom. Back then, when you were as important to a state or city or team, it was humbling.
$ talks too. bf and bus want one more payday. maybe 2.
face it, there is no rule that says one cant change one's opinion on anything. if enough data presents itseld, and it has... to hades with brettany.
if his arm isnt right, he isnt an upgrade over rosenfels.
Brett Farve is the BEST there is or ever will be. He knows it, you know it and I know it. Your just scared, because hes GREAT.
Ohh and hes cute. That just adds to the list of your insecurities. Im not even gay and I want Brett in the worst way. I know what most of you are trying to say. How he throws the balls around. Always missing being tackled to the ground. Those sweaty men pilling each other into a mound. His voice so manly deep and strong. That enormous bulge building thick and long. Imagining and wish he was wearing a thong.
Brett Farve does it to us all!
Ohh and hes cute. That just adds to the list of your insecurities. Im not even gay and I want Brett in the worst way. I know what most of you are trying to say. How he throws the balls around. Always missing being tackled to the ground. Those sweaty men pilling each other into a mound. His voice so manly deep and strong. That enormous bulge building thick and long. Imagining and wish he was wearing a thong.
Brett Farve does it to us all!
Of course Paul Hornung & Fran Tarkenton would want to see Brett Favre fail with the Vikings. What else would you expect from a couple of really old football has-beens who's own accomplishments in the game pale in comparison to what Brett Favre has accomplished. The 2 above mentioned individuals are so old and irrelevant that no one really cares what they think anyway nor do they have enough current knowledge to be making any relevant comments anywat. Why don't the 2 of you go back in the restaurant and fill your overweight selves up with chicken and booze like all the rest of the has-beens from your era. You pale in comparison to Brett Favre.