KILN, MS -- Kiln, Mississippi is affectionately referred to as "The Kiln", with a silent "N."
The Kiln belongs to Brett Favre.
"Everybody has a connection to him," said Hancock County High School Assistant Principal Chuck Genin. "They feel like it's a loyalty, where ever he goes."
Kiln loves Brett Favre, but it's also just 47 miles from New Orleans, which is creating strained allegiances even at Favre's old high school.
"I am somewhat conflicted," Hancock County Librarian Tina Ladner said just days before the Saints and the Vikings square off in the NFC Championship Game. "I am a Brett Favre fan. I love Brett. I'm glad he's done so well, but I'm a Saints fan."
In fact, Ladner is a season ticket holder, and said, she'll be rooting for the black and gold.
On-line Instructor Balinda Strief will be pulling for the purple. "If Brett was to retire," Strief said, "I probably could root for the Saints, but as long as Brett's playing, I have to go with Brett."
Genin taught and coached Favre back in junior high. "Brett was a good student," Genin said, but he will also be pulling for the Saints.
Hancock County coach and teacher Bobby Doyle said he'll be pulling for Favre.
A restaurant marquee heading into the Kiln reads, "Go Brett" on one side, and "Go Drew Brees" on the other.
Regardless of who wins, the game is good news for the Mississippi Coast. "This playoff fever has a very positive effect on the tourism industry in Hancock County," said Beth Carriere, executive director of the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau.
The media attention in Hancock County, Carriere said, helps remind tourists nationwide of what they have to offer in towns like Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Waveland. Plus, according to Carriere, it helps in their primary target market, New Orleans.
"Anytime there's something special going on in New Orleans," Carriere said, "or anytime there's something special going on with Brett Favre, it's a definite kick up in our economy."
A Minnesota win Sunday would mean two weeks of Super Bowl fever in Hancock County.
Favre, she said, is single-handedly responsible for bringing snowbird tourists, especially from Wisconsin and the upper midwest, to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. "We have bus loads on tour buses," Carriere added, "and tour companies who make a stop in the Kiln part of their Southern Tour."
She added, Brett Favre will continue to draw tourists to the Gulf Coast long after he retires, as his legend grows.
At his high school, Favre is already a legend. Hancock County High retired his jersey, No. 10, back in 1993. Then in May 2004, the school renamed its playing field 'Brett Favre Field', and dedicated a life-sized statue of Favre at the entrance to the stadium.
"I'm proud of what he's done," Genin said, "and what his brothers have done and the whole family, they've been good people in the county."
And he said, regardless of the outcome Sunday, Hancock County wins.
