By: Mark Fitzgerald In Duluth and its suburbs, straddling the Minnesota-Wisconsin line, residents are divided between equally passionate fans of the Minnesota Vikings or the Green Bay Packers.
Either way, on Monday, there's a Duluth News Tribune edition to appeal to them.
In commemoration of the so-called "Brett Bowl" -- the first game in which quarterback Brett Favre appears in a Vikings uniform to take on his former team, the Packers, in the Monday Night Football Game -- the News Tribune published editions with front pages trimmed in Vikings purple and an equal number of copies decked out in Packer green.
Every other copy was printed in purple or green, and delivered to homes and newsstands in its Minnesota and Wisconsin markets.
"We're not taking sides," the newspaper said in a front-page box, "just having fun in what might be the most hyped Packers-Viking game ever played."
The two editions also led with commentary leaning towards the team represented by its color.
Purple copies feature a front-page column by Vikings fan Jimmy Bellamy, the News Tribune's multimedia editor.
"Everything is set up for Favre to flourish tonight," Bellamy writes. The Vikings (3-0) have the league's best running back and reigning rushing champ, Adrian Peterson, in the backfield. They also have three speedy wide receivers -- something Favre always had the luxury of in 16 seasons with Green Bay -- in Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and rookie Percy Harvin."
Green copies highlight a piece by News Tribune Editorial Page Editor Chuck Frederick, who argues that "Karma couldn't allow" Favre to shine against his old team in the prime-time game. The Packers, he notes as well, need the win, trailing as they are a game behind the Vikings in their divisional standings.
"All that said, I realize my Packers may come up short tonight," Frederick writes. "Anything can happen. And the Vikings truly are an improved team -- especially now that they have a Packer under center, leading the way."
The column not featured on the purple or green front page is found elsewhere in the printed paper.
And what if a fan get the "wrong" paper delivered to the house?
"Check your neighbor," the front-page box advises.
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