He led the Vikings to a 39-35 record, which included two trips to the postseason, where he went 1-2. His best season, by far, was 2009, when Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre joined the Vikings’ voyage. Fans of the purple and gold all across the nation felt like it was finally their year, only to see the 40-year-old throw across his body for a game-sealing interception in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Bountygate Saints.

Then, the following year, Childress was fired after Week 11 following a 3-7 start to the season. Leslie Frazier took over on an interim basis before becoming the full-time coach for three seasons. While we know a 3-7 start was not what the Vikings expected from “Chilly,” now we know the real reason Childress got fired.

Related: 6 Minnesota Vikings Trades We’d Love To See After the Bye, Including An All-Pro

Former NFL player shares how Brett Favre got Brad Childress fired from Vikings

Recently, former Packers tight end Mark Chmura, who spent his entire seven-year NFL career catching passes from Brett Favre in Green Bay, told a wild story about his former quarterback. According to Chmura, it was actually Favre who got Brad Childress fired back in 2010, and he did it all from a deer stand. Here’s what he had to say while speaking on the Jen, Gabe & Chewy show on ESPN Milwaukee earlier this week.

Chewy on how Brett Favre got Brad Childress fired after a loss to the #Packers 👀 pic.twitter.com/jRzJl6IRIJ

— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) October 9, 2024

The topic only came up because of the Jets’ surprising decision to fire coach Robert Saleh after their loss to the Vikings in London. Chmura felt Aaron Rodgers did indeed play a role in his coach’s firing, and he used this example of his former teammate doing the same to Childress as his reasoning.

But why was Week 11 the final straw for Childress in Minnesota? Because the Vikings had just gotten blown out 31-3 to the Packers on Sunday, two days before being fired. For what it’s worth, the Vikings did win their next two games. Joe Webb and Tarvaris Jackson both got to start later in the season, but only after Favre suffered a shoulder sprain.

So, now you know how Brett Favre once had Brad Childress fired from his deer stand. Is there anything more Minnesotan than that?

Related: 6 Biggest Questions Facing the Minnesota Vikings During Their Bye Week

Former Vikings’ Head Coach, Brad Childress, is expected to announce his retirement from the NFL.

The 61 year-old spent the last few years working with Andy Reid as an assistant coach for the Chiefs. With the KC’s season ending after Saturday’s loss to the Titans, Childress is deciding to walk away from his near 40 year tenure as a football coach.

Report: Brad Childress planning to retire https://t.co/AvGbzP0J8I pic.twitter.com/ZGBxGT3zEf

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 8, 2018

It’s interesting how Childress was only a couple plays away from taking Minnesota to the Super Bowl. If that NFC Championship game vs. the Saints ended differently, this topic would be front page news. Unfortunately for him, we’re getting prepared to avenge that loss, with a different head coach. In regards to Childress, my life would be better off if he… ah, nevermind.

It’s not really socially acceptable to blast someone when their about to retire. We’re here to celebrate our former coaches’ career. If you think this article needed more pop-shots at Childress, I like your passion. Please, save it for Sean Payton.

Brad Childress cut his teeth coaching football in the college ranks. After climbing that ladder for about a dozen years, he found himself as the running backs coach for Wisconsin. Childress was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1994 and coached legendary college RB Ron Dayne for three seasons.

Childress’ time in the NFL began just like it is now ending; alongside Andy Reid. His first NFL experience came working with Reid, Donavon McNabb, and the Eagles. After his time in Philly (1999-2005), as a QB coach and offensive coordinator, Childress got his first career head-gig, and it was with the Minnesota Vikings.

His tenure as the leader of Skol Nation lasted from 2006-2010. That four and a half-year run was highlighted with the previously mentioned NFC Championship game. As for his time with the Vikings as a whole, Minnesotans can visit ValleyFair if they want that many roller-coaster rides. Childress finished his NFL head coaching career with a record of 40-37 (includes playoffs) before being fired and replaced by Leslie Frazier, before a disastrous 2010 season even ended.

From there, he took a little bit of time off from football. However, he got his foot back in the door with the Pat Shurmur and the Browns, as their OC in 2012. Childress smartly got the hell out of there, after one season, and re-connected with Andy Reid.

As for Andy Reid, It’s been a Monday of all Mondays…. The Punt, Pass, and Kick legend is currently recovering from a playoff defeat, losing his OC to the Bears head coaching vacancy, and now his old buddy Childress is retiring.

That’s three strikes. I hope he left the office early. The big fella had to have needed a drink… or eleven.

Nowadays, many athletes choose to release a video announcing their retirement. Unfortunately for us fans, coaches don’t seem to be using that approach. It sucks! A Brad Childress narrated tear-jerker would have been euphoric.

It was probably a business decision on his end. Coach Childress didn’t want to be compared to Jared Allen’s masterpiece:

Jared Allen announced his retirement early this morning: pic.twitter.com/xzadWFt9ER

— NFL (@AllNFL_) February 18, 2016

Smart move, coach. Way to kick-off your expected retirement by avoiding things. From here on out, it’s your free time. I encourage you to avoid anything and everything else your heart desires. 

In closing, Childress’ stint with the Vikings was lackluster enough that even my “normally well-informed” co-workers at Minnesota Sports Fan are blaming him for problems he didn’t even cause… Christian Ponder… (Leslie Frazier’s doing)

Christian Ponder and Brad Childress made it into the latest podcast episode of “No Shirts, Just Skins”… #SKOL

For the entire episode, click here: https://t.co/rKzMVsLuxt pic.twitter.com/xyUNv2J1GR

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 2, 2018

Goodbye Brad. We can all hate. At the end of the day, we’d all give 3 body parts of your choosing to have lived your life.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com