Guess Who's on the Front of the Packers-Vikings Tickets?

Favre or no Favre, Packers Opening Night Tickets Still in Demand

Fans have begun pondering a pilgrimage to legendary Lambeau Field as the 2008 NFL schedule approaches, hoping to snare seats to the start of a new era in Green Bay Packers history.

For the first time since early in the 1992 season, the Packers will have someone other than Brett Favre starting at quarterback on September 8. While the game with the Minnesota Vikings was originally billed as Brett Favre Night, when the club would retire the jersey of the future Hall of Famer, Favre’s decision to return and his subsequent trade to the New York Jets hasn’t dampened enthusiasm among Packer fans.

PackFanatics, a website which brings Packer tickets and memorabilia on eBay to one central location, reports that there were over 550 completed auctions for Packers-Vikings tickets during the first 3 ½ weeks of August, with tickets selling for roughly double to triple their face value.

Ironically, it is Favre’s face which adorns the front of the tickets for the game.

Not long after Favre announced what would be a short-lived retirement, the Packers designed and ordered the printing of their 2008 game tickets. Like many NFL teams, the Packers have turned their game tickets into collector’s items with special designs commemorating a specific moment, personality or season.

Favre, perhaps the team’s greatest ever legend, was set to have his jersey retired that night and it was only logical that the long-time veteran’s image grace the ticket for the season opener against the Vikings.

The Packers will indeed open the season on September 8th against Minnesota, but Favre won’t be in the stadium. With Aaron Rodgers set to debut as the team’s new leader and the game set to be broadcast as the first of an ESPN Monday Night Football doubleheader, excitement is high.

Over 230 active listings for Packers-Vikings tickets were on eBay as of late August, with that number expected to grow in the days leading up to the opening game.

“Regardless of who is playing quarterback, a Packers season opener is always special,’ said PackFanatics.com founder Rich Mueller. “When it’s against the Vikings and played on national TV, it just adds to the excitement. Packer fans have been waiting months for this game and they’re anxious to see if the Packers can match last year’s incredible season.”

While ticket prices aren’t nearly selling for what they would have if Favre had kept his retirement promise, the absence of Favre—either as a player or honored guest—has meant tickets to a season opener are still relatively affordable for fans without a big bankroll.

PackFanatics.com is all things Packer and tickets are at the top of every fan’s wish list,” Mueller said. “The tickets themselves will be collector’s items because they show Favre on the front. It’s really a unique piece of Packer history and if you can buy tickets to watch the new era start, it’s the best of both worlds.”

And if you’re still a Favre fan at heart?

“We’ve got links to Favre Jets jerseys too.”

Favre Silencing Doubters

There was plenty of it on the always-busy Green Bay Packers message boards early last season and the year before. He's too old. He's too reckless. He can't throw it deep anymore. It's time to quit. Rebuild. Turn the team over to Aaron Rodgers. Thanks for the memories Brett, it's been fun. Now get lost.

Back then, I wished Favre would have had to leave early in a game..or be benched just to shut the clueless idiots up who were clamoring for another QB. Many of had forgotten what it was like NOT to have a real quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers' day may come...and assuming he CAN play (who knows?)...it'll come soon enough.

But, here's a news flash.....in today's NFL, you don't have to become the Miami Dolphins to be good again. The cap and free agency have all but eliminated rebuilding processes. The Packers have somehow patched together a 6-1 team with superior talent on defense and an offense that doesn't make mistakes like it once did.

In 2005 and early 2006 if you were a Packers fan you had to suffer through some trying times with less-than-spectacular personnel brought forth by former GM Mike Sherman. It was time to just enjoy some of those spectacular Favre moments the rest of the league wishes they had seen over the last 16 years.

Favre is proving he's got at least a couple of very productive years left. If Bill Belechick wouldn't be obsessed with scoring 50 points each week, Favre might actually be in the hunt for a fourth MVP. Is he perfect? Nope. Is he the same QB he was in '96? Nope. Is he a guy all but 2 or 3 other teams would take RIGHT NOW over their current guy? Absolutely.

And even at $75 a pop, Packer tickets are a bargain as long as he's around.