Favre Will Still Have Presence in Packers Opener |
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Friday, 29 August 2008 |
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Brett Favre's face is on the front of the tickets for the season opening game with Minnesota. The collector value only enhance the interest for the legion of fans always looking to make the trip to Lambeau.
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.
Pack Fanatics 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. But those who are collectors and fans have a dilemma--go to the game or keep their ticket unused. For others, the stub will be enough. But it's a weird deal--and another reminder of the looming Favre presence in Green Bay for Rodgers if he struggles.
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.
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