by Ross Boettcher, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER , Omaha World-Herald

Fans in Omaha from Favre?s alma mater, Southern Mississippi, showed they were following Favre?s whims on Tuesday as they waited for their Golden Eagles to take the field against North Carolina in the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium.

?It?s about what Brett wants to do,? said David Coleman, of Petal, Miss., as he started the trek toward Rosenblatt from his parking spot. ?I think most people would say: ?Don?t go out there and embarrass yourself.??

Favre was back in the headlines after a Monday interview on ?Joe Buck Live.? Favre, when asked about a potential return to the gridiron as a Minnesota Viking gave a response that was less than definite.

?Um ? maybe,? Favre said regarding his potential return to the NFC North.

Other Mississippians and Southern Miss diehards in Omaha had no problem with Favre playing for Minnesota, despite having played for NFC North foe Green Bay for 16 seasons.

?Forget the Packers, they did him wrong,? said Melissa Johnson, of Stringer, Miss. ?I just don?t want to see him get hurt.?

Youngsters Cole Decker and Peyton Phillips, both 12, said Favre?s age is too much of a hindrance on his playing ability to make another run in the NFL.

?He?s too old,? Decker said of the 39-year-old. ?He?s not doing well to improve his career.?

Favre?s indecision with retirement, Coleman believes, is a function of age and Favre?s boyish passion for the game.

?I think he gets tired at the end of seasons, but after he gets rested up he?s ready to come back for more,? said Coleman, who said he has met Favre on numerous occasions. ?Brett?s a redneck. He?s country. He just loves to play the game.?

During the interview with Buck, Favre said he declined a request from Vikings head coach Brad Childress to attend a series of recent team activities.

?I know people are tired of it, really,? Favre said of his yearly bout with retirement. ?My intentions are not to ? although it?s good for you ? create controversy.?

Last season the Vikings finished atop the NFC North despite wobbly performances at the quarterback position.

After retiring and then subsequently being turned away by the Packers when asking to be brought back during the 2007 offseason, Favre signed with the New York Jets and threw 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Favre?s injured right biceps tendon hindered his play, and the Jets lost four of their final five games to miss the playoffs.

Some of Favre?s fellow Mississippians just want Favre to go home to Kiln, Miss., and turn the page.

?It?s time for Brett to retire and let the young guys play,? said Don Mathis, of Meridian, Miss. ?He?s awesome and we love him, but at his age he just needs to go home.?

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