Brett Favre signed a contract today and a news conference is scheduled to introduce him.

[Travis Pyan]

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Three weeks after the future Hall of Fame quarterback told the Vikings he had decided to remain retired, he arrived in Minnesota and signed a contract at Winter Park.

A 5 p.m. news conference to introduce Favre is scheduled.

The team began practice without Favre, who was likely taking a physical, but he emerged shortly before 1:30 p.m. and started taking snaps -- wearing No. 4.

Backup quarterback John David Booty, who has worn No. 4, switched to No. 9.

Favre and his wife, Deanna, landed at Holman Field in St. Paul and were picked up by Vikings coach Brad Childress at 11:30 a.m.

The scene at Winter Park was a zoo, with television trucks and dozens of cars crowded the road outside the Eden Prairie complex. Owners Zygi and Mark Wilf arrived at little after noon, and shortly thereafter the Favre motorcade arrived. Fans ran along with the black SUV carrying Favre, taking pictures with their camera phones.

One police officer was trying to contain hundreds of fans. Police eventually cordoned off the area with police tape, shortly after a man dressed as a parrot ran the wrong way up the street, advertising something.

Favre is expected to start in Friday's home preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sources said Favre agreed to a two-year deal, with $12 million due this season and an option for the second year.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy told the Associated Press he wasn't surprised by Favre's decision. "I don't think anybody should be surprised by it," McCarthy said.

Many felt Favre wanted to play for the Vikings in large part to get revenge on the Packers, whom he felt forced him into retirement. "We always look forward to playing the Vikings," McCarthy said. "If he's going to play, that's obviously his choice."

[Travis Pyan]

[Montana Coyote]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, seriously, if I was David Booty, I wouldn't have given up #4. Course they probably would have waived him to get the number for Brett. LOL