I get it, Packer fans. You’re terrified (or upset, or disgusted — fill in your own emotions here) at the thought of your one-time hero suiting up for your cross-state rivals. He’s already dragged the Green Bay organization through the mud, but now he might be donning purple and gold for the hated Vikings? How dare he!

Just think how we Minnesota fans feel.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a Vikings fan. From Warren Moon and Robert Smith, Randall Cunningham to Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson and … Tarvaris Jackson, I’ve been through the good, the bad and the ugly.

But through it all, as any Minnesota fan will tell you, there was no choice but to hate the Green Bay Packers.

I was only 5 years old when Brett Favre came over to the Packers in 1992, and just like Cheeseheads my age, I didn’t know any other quarterback to wear green and gold until last season.

So do the math: a natural disdain for the Packers instilled in Minnesota culture + Brett Favre at quarterback in Green Bay for 16 seasons = a hatred for Favre.

With the latest news that No. 4 wants to play for my Vikings, though, how exactly am I supposed to react?

Well I know how fans across the border are reacting. There was a report today some retailers are already making Viking shirts with Favre’s likeness. A little premature, if you ask me, but it seems as if my fellow Minnesotans are welcoming Favre with open arms.

As for me, well, to be quite honest, part of me is giddy at the thought of welcoming No. 4, and for several reasons — the least of which is that Favre would be practicing in my hometown of Eden Prairie, Minn., headquarters of the Vikings.

Obviously, Favre would be an upgrade from the “quarterbacks” Minnesota currently have.

But wait, you say. Favre’s washed up. He tanked at the end of last season for the Jets. He’s thrown more passes to the wrong team than any quarterback in NFL history.

Maybe so. But in Minnesota, he wouldn’t be up against much competition.

On and off for the past few seasons, it’s been Jackson calling plays under center. Yes, he of the 76.5 career quarterback rating. This offseason, the Vikes brought in Sage Rosenfels, who hasn’t played more than nine games in a season. His career 30 touchdowns and 29 interceptions leave much to be desired.

So take your pick: Favre, or one of these bums? The choice seems easy, regardless of how healthy Favre’s bicep is — or how much Vikings fans may have hated him in the past.

The Jets finished just 9-7 with Favre at the helm last season. Granted, that was in a surprisingly strong AFC East, with the Dolphins and Patriots both going 11-5. If Favre is to make his return to the NFC North, he’d have a decidedly easier schedule. Minnesota opens with Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco — setting up a week four Monday Night matchup with you-know-who’s former team (and it’s not the Jets).

The surrounding cast of characters is arguably better with the Vikings as well. Running back Adrian “All Day” Peterson is 10 times better than Thomas “I’m not even worthy of having a nickname” Jones. The Minnesota defense — led by Jared Allen, Antoine Winfield and the Williams Wall of Pat and Kevin — is stouter than New York’s as well.

The one question mark is wide receivers, but if rookie Percy Harvin stays out of trouble, his scary quick speed — along with Bernard Berrian’s ability to stretch the field — would have Favre licking his lips.

Maybe I’m trying to talk myself into the thought of Favre in purple. Like I said, I’ve despised the man for years. Booed him plenty (including a game at Lambeau; that didn’t go over too well).

I even had the nerve to wear a Vikings jersey in his hometown of Kiln, Miss., last spring. Needless to say, that prompted some heckling as well.

Well, Cheeseheads, Viking fans are now one step closer to becoming the hecklers.

Favre in Minnesota will inevitably cause many Packers faithful to lose what little respect for Favre they had left. To face him twice a season will not only be weird for Green Bay fans — it’ll be downright infuriating.

And that might be the best part of seeing Favre in purple.

Tyler is a senior majoring in journalism, and graduating next week. Good luck to all other graduates. If you’d like to share your thoughts on Favre in purple and gold, you can e-mail Tyler at [email protected].