Almost every player on both the Vikings and the Saints stepped onto the field and held a finger in the air just before kickoff of Thursday night’s opener, in a sign of solidarity within the players’ union.
But in this video of that gesture at NFL.com, one thing stands out: Vikings quarterback Brett Favre stayed on the sideline with his back turned while his teammates walked on the field.
So after Favre stood apart from his teammates during that gesture, it will be interesting to see whether Favre has anything to say about where he stands on union solidarity.
If Favre is telling the truth when he says 2010 will be his final season, there’s not much reason for him to care what happens in 2011 and beyond -- except, you know, if he cares about the welfare of his fellow players. For that matter, if Favre does play in 2011 and beyond, there’s not much reason for him to care about labor issues. One way or the other, he’s set for life many times over.
But while the other star quarterback in Thursday night’s game, Drew Brees, is a vocal proponent of union solidarity, Favre sat Thursday night’s gesture out. His fellow union members may be interested in knowing where he stands.