If Minnesota Vikings’ QB Brett Favre had read Malcolm Gladwell’s latest piece in the New Yorker, maybe Favre would be preparing for another Super Bowl instead of throwing what could be his last pass as an NFL quarterback.

Gladwell references how the most successful business leaders -- from Ted Turner to hedge fund manager John Paulson -- were predator-like in their focus and determination to avoid big risks and take the sure thing.

Sure, taking the sure thing would’ve gone against Favre’s nature. He’s a gunslinger, not a pragmatist. He feeds off of risk. He’s the Phil Mickelson of pro football. And because of that he’s earned the admiration from all types of football fans, reporters, and commentators. We glorify the gamblers, because they’re more exciting, win or lose.

Last night, Favre couldn’t help himself. Instead of running for an easy 10 yards or more (which would’ve given FG kicker Ryan Longwell a very good shot at the game winning kick), he tried a Favre-esque degree of difficulty play, an across-the body 20-yard bullet pass while running right and throwing left.

10-year-old quarterbacks are taught not to throw this pass. Favre doesn’t care.

But even Brett Favre couldn’t make it work. The pass was picked off, and Minnesota never got the ball back before New Orleans played it safe and kicked the game-winning FG in overtime.

Opinions vary on his decision. And I somehow believe that had Favre taken the sure thing, he still would’ve been disappointed.

Maybe he should actually, really, for sure retire this time - what better way for him to go out than guns a-blazin'?