Mankato man never misses a border battle

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — Quite a pair, Brett Favre and Dennis Martin.

The photograph above tells the whole story. Martin, the star-crossed admirer; and Favre, the ageless siren of gridiron victory.

The framed picture shows Martin and Favre the first time fate brought them together in 2003.

Martin — a lifelong Vikings fan despite his across-the-border upbringing — lived in Wisconsin at the time and had won the chance to attend a Favre-sponsored fundraiser.

In the picture, Martin is unsmiling in his acquired distaste for the Packer leader and engineer of numerous Minnesota heartbreaks. But he also looks proud to meet the man, who even then, was gaining legend for his gunslinger mentality and late-game heroics.

As for Favre, his smirk seems to convey he’s in on the irony.

But the Martin and Favre of today are all smiles.

With the future hall-of-fame quarterback having eloped with the Vikings for a $25 million payday after a much-ballyhooed offseason courting, Martin is certain this year will be different for Minnesota football fans.

And it all starts tonight when the undefeated Vikings host the Packers in one of the most anticipated Monday Night Football broadcasts in history.

“We’re going to win,” Martin said. “And it won’t be close.”

At least that’s what Martin is hoping. He has two tickets for the game — and he’s bringing a Packers fan.

But Martin not only brings a Packer fan to every Minnesota-Green Bay game he attends — and he’s been to almost every one for several years running — he’s also planning to take his Packer-loving father to Lambeau Field when the Vikings play there on Nov. 1.

But for now, Martin has his eyes on tonight, when Favre will play against his former team for the first time.

And while Martin predicted a 31-10 Vikings victory, he’s sure that the fireworks will come before the game.

“When he runs out on the field,” Martin said. “It’s going to be so loud in the stadium.”

The Vikings enter tonight’s game with a top-five ranked defense that has registered eight sacks. On the other sideline, the Packers offense has already allowed 12 sacks and could be without all-pro left tackle Chad Clifton.

Des Buckley, who was quarterbacking a game of pickup football outside the Devonshire apartment complex on Sunday, said the game will be decided by which signal-caller — Favre or Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers — can better handle the defensive pressure.

“And in that matchup,” Buckley said, “I like the old coyote veteran.”

Alan McGregor used to root for the veteran as well. Even though the Minnesota State University student grew up in suburban St. Paul, he waves a Packer flag.

And he’s not so sure a win will change anything for Minnesota fans who have seen the hometowners lose all four Super Bowls they’ve attended.

“Even with Favre,” he said, “the Vikings are still the Vikings.”