The classics in any genre are timeless.
That is why the Minnesota Vikings’ Brett Favre still resonates with two generations of football fans.
It is exactly the same reason why Gordon Gekko’s character in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is also relevant today. Market observers noted that the averages on the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and Standard & Poor’s indexes all demonstrated steep increases on Friday, the same day that Oliver Stone’s new movie premiered nationwide.
Is this merely a coincidence? Or a message sent from the traders and investors who watch financial tickers the much like a suburban husband watches ESPN score tickers (when he should be out blowing leaves onto his neighbor’s lawn)?
By Patrick Herbert
It is difficult to decipher if Favre is greedier than Gekko.
They both serve as role models to young men…by showing what not to do. Gekko’s moral compass is similar to that of Bernie Madoff. Favre continuously shows contempt for the training camp process. This time would have allowed him to gain familiarity with the receiving corps that lacks experience working with him. Gekko first corrupted a young Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen) and now currently misguides a future son-in-law.
It is also evident that Favre has actually hurt his team by insisting his consecutive game streak remain active. Anyone who watched the opener against the Saints viewed a Favre who looked like he had just gotten off the couch and decided to suit up.
In the new movie, Gekko leaves prison after serving seven years for money laundering, racketeering, and securities fraud. Like Favre, he insists on staying in “the game” without the proper preparation and time to reacquaint himself with the current nuances.
Favre’s actions once again inspired the Vikings organization to send players to him to beg for his return. He insisted that because of health reasons he was considering not playing this season. It is apparent that his contract played a large role in the process. Ownership stepped up to the table and increased his salary. They also provided numerous incentives that could place Favre in the twenty million dollar range for the season.
This is in a climate where the league is on the verge of a work stoppage and the owners are hinting that they would like the players to participate in a couple of more regular season games for little to no additional compensation. As Gekko would say, “greed is good.”
That is, if you are Brett Favre.
The Vikings are not victims in this whole process. They could have called his bluff. It is the hubris of Favre that some fans loathe. The Vikings have allowed this situation to happen, so they are certainly at fault. Brad Childress is a puppet at a time when Wade Phillips’ longevity and credibility is being questioned in Dallas. It seems as if Childress’ main concern is keeping his job, rather than what is best for the team in the long term. A temporary fix will eventually lead to a gaping hole.