Paul Hornung? More Like LOL Hornung

by Christopher Gates on Jul 15, 2009 4:36 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

Gotta give a hat tip to Florio and Friends over at Pro Football Talk for digging up this story. Apparently NFL Hall of Famer Paul Hornung was at a banquet not long ago and the subject of Brett Favre came up. Here's the proverbial money line from the story.

"(Favre) ain't going to win in Minnesota," Hornung told the crowd on Tuesday night. "I'll bet on it."

Given Hornung's history, I'm not surprised that he'd bet on it.

However, I'm not sure exactly how many grains of salt we should take Hornung's prediction with. After all, I would generally be willing to bet that nobody would give a Heisman Trophy to a guy that played college football for a team that went 2-8. I would also generally be willing to bet that a guy that once got suspended from the NFL for an entire year for gambling wouldn't be anywhere near the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But, in both cases, there's Paul Hornung, defying the old conventions.

Seriously, Paul Hornung hasn't got a clue. He should speak more on topics that he actually knows something about. . .you know, stuff like illegal gambling, Notre Dame's decades-long battle with chronic overratedness, and so forth.

EDIT: Per Anthony's query, it appears that Hornung had no comment on ways for Notre Dame to get their hands on more black athletes.

To borrow a line from Dean Wormer. . .ignorant, racist and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

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Well, of course he’ll bet on it.

V-I-K-I-N-G-S! Skol Vikings, Let's Go!!

by TheViking83 on Jul 15, 2009 4:38 PM CDT reply actions

Does he have any advice on how the Vikings can get more black athletes?

by Anthony21 on Jul 15, 2009 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

He was a great football player in his time.

But he’s also an idiot.

by PurplePeopleEaters on Jul 15, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

Well..

Thats to bad Paul..because Favre doesnt care what you have to say or ever will care what you say,..hes going to be a viking

by clones21 on Jul 15, 2009 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

There but for the grace of God go you or I...

You read a lot of stories are untrue, even though they somehow get published, like: “Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter.”

You read some stories were an idea is very poorly worded, like “Miners Refuse to Work after Death.”

I guess I’ll take Mr. Hornung’s words in the context of popular public speaking, where one often succeeds by telling the people what they long to hear.

Nice speech #5. I hope the Packer faithful were happy with you now, because your assertion that you would bet on something actually does not guarantee that they should.

by Elgar on Jul 15, 2009 6:32 PM CDT reply actions

Who's Paul Hornung?

‘And the wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws’.

by SippyCup on Jul 15, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions

Doesn't

it seem like Favre wears the same exact clothing at all his workouts at the high school. You would think a guy with millions of dollars could buy a decent shirt. LOL

by All Day, All Night on Jul 15, 2009 8:39 PM CDT reply actions

Gonzo - You're way, way, WAY overreacting to this, IMO.

He was a paid speaker at a function. When one does these things, one tryies to make jokes. Reading an account of this, the “I’ll bet on it” was an intentional reference to hsi past for humor, apparently he laughed himslef along with everyone else right after he said it. Also, presumably those who attend a sports banquest in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, featuring a Packer legend, are probably Packer fans, you know? So of COURSE he’s gonna say Packers are better than Vikings (or any other team)

His real opinions are more likely expressed here, from just two months ago:

Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung says he has advised Brett Favre not to retire as long as he is healthy.

"When he was still with Green Bay, we were talking one night over a cocktail. And Brett said, ‘Well, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play. Maybe a year,’ " said Hornung, who starred as a halfback and kicker from 1957-66 with the Packers.

"I said to Brett, ‘I had to quit because I was hurt, and I almost kept playing anyway, which would have been a disaster. I mean, I would have been an embarrassment because we didn’t have any [good] doctors.

"I said, ‘Brett, let me tell you one thing, and this is just my opinion. Play as long as you can. I mean, make them kick you out of the league. First of all, you are making so much money that it is irrelevant to your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter. … But let me tell you something, this is the best time of your life. You will have more fun playing pro football. … Don’t quit until you have to … not until you don’t want to go out there on that practice field.’ "

Favre, who turns 40 on Oct. 10, continues to waffle when it comes to signing with the Minnesota Vikings, arguably the Packers’ biggest rival along with the Bears in the NFC North. The possibility of shoulder surgery might determine whether he retires. Hornung, who won championships with legendary coach Vince Lombardi, remains beloved in Green Bay. He scored 176 points in 1960 (a 12-game season), an NFL record that stood for 46 years.

"Brett is the best player we’ve had in Green Bay, no question," Hornung said. "And he was the most popular player, but not anymore. His popularity has dwindled in the state of Wisconsin. Most of them are mad that he went to the Jets. And now if he goes to the Vikings, Holy mackerel! They won’t like it a bit."

by puddnhead on Jul 15, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

Paul Horndog

can suck it!…………………

The Vikings will win because they are superior!!! Favre or no Favre……..

by NYCVike on Jul 15, 2009 9:55 PM CDT reply actions

Response to NYCVike

I have three words for you and your comment on the Viking superiority.

CHOKE, CHOKE, CHOKE

Yes, I’m a Packer Backer so I can tease you a little. :)

Seriously, when one talks about Favre and his ability to quarterback we can all agree that he does have a cannon for an arm, and an uncanny ability to throw a pass that mere mortals would not dare throw. But when it comes time for the December games – where is that cannon? I have noticed in the past 2 or 3 years now that by the end of the season Favre is starting to throw garbage throws, have you noticed his record of interceptions went up as the season went on? Yes, some of those throws were desperation throws in the vain effort to mount a last minute miracle and win the game but still I think his arm is going.

Favre needs to retire now when he is still considered a god amoung quarterbacks. I would hate to see him be booed out of any stadium because he is washed up and did not know when to say goodbye.

by redhead7254 on Jul 15, 2009 11:25 PM CDT reply actions