Reggie White

The next year, Wolf and Holmgren went after Reggie White, a free agent who was one of the greatest defensive players in the history of pro football. Every team in the NFL would have liked to have signed White. An ordained minister, he said he would go where God wanted him to go.

Holmgren called White and left a message on his answering machine. "Reggie, this is God," the message said. "I want you to go to Green Bay."

Reggie White was not offended&md;not by Holmgren's humor or by Wolf's offer: $17 million for four years.

Favre joined in the pursuit too. "I told him this was a great football town," Favre said. "I told him he could make the difference. I also told him I didn't want him hitting me anymore."