SELLING MY PERSONAL COLLECTION!
My items were either hand-selected from purchased lots, gifts from vendors,
or autographed & custom inscribed at our own company signing!
Extremely RARE photo
Photographer Mark Wallenfang
Official Brett Favre LOGO
BRETT FAVRE hand-signed
Touchdown celebration vs the San Francisco 49ers 8x10 photo
with Official Brett Favre Authentication.
This is the perfect piece of memorabilia for any SB XXXI fan just starting his Hall of Fame collection or any Packer Backer completing their Lambeau Field museum.
Brett's signature is crisp in black ink! Classic Favre - the perfect collectible!
Authentication
Official matching Brett Favre Authentic holograms on the photo, and on the COA, Certificate of Authenticity!
Shipping includes insurance, & tracking delivery verification.
NOTE: I recently sold my sports memorablia ownership interest in Legends of the Field and am selling much of my personal collection. I have attended a majority of my former companies' signings over the last few years including Greg Jennings, AJ Hawk, Brian Urlacher, LeRoy Butler, Robert Brooks, Thomas Jones, Andrew Bogut, Jennie Finch, Mason Crosby, Donald Driver, Gilbert Brown, Tommie Harris, Bernard Berrian, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders, Ben Sheets, Corey Hart, Prince Fielder, Devin Hester to name a few. In addition, I've acquired some of my collection directly from our vendor partners Steiner Sports, Mounted Memories, Official Brett Favre, TriStar Productions, Upper Deck Authenticated UDA, Schwartz Sports, Radtke Sports and many more. Lastly, we have a partnership with world renowned artist, Andrew Andy Goralski, which means I have acquired his recently created artwork over the last two years, and many of his pieces from the past. My point is you can bid with confidence as I've acquired these items direct from their signing agent, athlete, or partners in the business. Also, I will be listing many more items on Ebay over the next few weeks/months. Please add me as a favorite seller, visit my store, and receive updates as to any new items being listed.
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About
Brett Favre:
Brett Favre, born in 1969,
American football player, who as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers was the
first player to earn three consecutive National Football League (NFL) most
valuable player awards (1995-1997). He also led the Packers to two Super Bowl
appearances, following the 1996 and 1997 seasons. At the time of his retirement
in 2008, Favre held a number of NFL records, including most touchdown passes
(442), career passing yards (61,655), and career completions (5,377). He also
held the record for most victories as a starting quarterback (160).
Born in Gulfport,
Mississippi, Brett Lorenzo Favre grew up in Kiln, Mississippi where he played
baseball and football. Favre started for the Hancock North Central baseball
team as an eighth–grader and earned five varsity letters. In football he played
quarterback, lineman, strong safety, placekicker and punter in a primarily
option, run-oriented offense coached by his father, Irvin Favre.
Irvin Favre said he knew his son had a great
arm but also knew that the school was blessed with good running backs. As a
result, in the three years Brett was on the team, his father ran a run-oriented
offense called the wishbone. Favre rarely threw more than five passes in a
game.
Farve attended the USM University of Southern
Mississippi Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg. As a collegian in 1990 he was
involved in a serious automobile accident, but a month later he paced his team
to a victory over the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Atlanta Falcons
selected Favre in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft. He played in only two
games as a rookie in 1991 and was then traded to the Green Bay Packers. In the
third game of the 1992 season, Favre filled in for injured Packers quarterback
Don Majkowski; he performed so well that he won the starting job for the
remainder of the season. He set a team record by completing 64.1 percent of his
passes.
In 1993 Favre led the
National Football Conference (NFC) with 318 completions, and in 1994 he
finished second in the balloting for player of the year. He led the Packers to
the NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys after the 1995 campaign,
and for his performance that season he was voted most valuable player by the
Associated Press. Favre threw 33 touchdown passes in 1994 and 38 in 1995—only
the fifth time in NFL history that a quarterback threw at least 30 touchdowns
in consecutive seasons.
Favre was again voted
most valuable player in 1996 with 39 touchdown passes, and he led the Packers
to a Super Bowl XXXI victory over the New England Patriots. He turned in
another outstanding performance during the 1997 season; his 35 touchdown passes
made him the only quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 or more touchdown
passes in four consecutive seasons. This helped him earn yet another most
valuable player award along with Barry Sanders. Favre also led Green Bay to the
NFC championship, but the Packers lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl
XXXII, 31-24.
In September 2007
Favre surpassed Miami Dolphin Dan Marino for most touchdown passes in a career
and passed Denver Bronco John Elway for victories. His 421st touchdown pass to
Greg Jennings to set the record came in a game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Favre led the Packers to the National Conference title game after the 2007
season but the team lost to the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. In March 2008
Favre announced his retirement from the National Football League.
In August 2008, Brett unretired and the GB
Packers traded him to the NY Jets, where he recently passed for 6 touchdowns in
week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Favre led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC
Championship during the 2009 season, having one of his greatest seasons ever!
Brett Favre
No. 4
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: October 10, 1969 (age 43)
Place of birth: Gulfport, Mississippi
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school: Kiln (MS) Hancock North Central
College: Southern Mississippi
NFL Draft: 1991 / Round: 2 / Pick: 33
Debuted in 1991 for the Atlanta Falcons
Last played in 2010 for the Minnesota Vikings
Career history
As player:
Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)
As coach:
Oak Grove High School (2012–present) – Offensive coordinator
Career highlights and awards
11× Pro Bowl (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007,
2008, 2009)
3× First-team All-Pro (1995, 1996, 1997)
3× Second-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2007)
3× AP NFL MVP (1995–1997)
5× NFC Player of the Year (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2007)
2× NFC Champion (1996, 1997)
Super Bowl champion (XXXI)
NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
Career achievements, honors, records and statistics
Career NFL statistics as of 2010
TD–INT
508–336
Passing yards
71,838
Passer rating
86.0
Brett Lorenzo Favre (born October 10, 1969) is a former American
football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay
Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was a 20-year veteran of the
NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay
Packers (1992–2007), New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010).
Favre is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 70,000 yards,
over 500 touchdowns, over 300 interceptions, over 6,000 completions, and over
10,000 pass attempts.[1][2][3][4][5]
Favre started at the quarterback position for the University of Southern
Mississippi for four years before being selected in the second round of the
1991 NFL Draft by Atlanta (33rd overall). He was traded to Green Bay on
February 10, 1992, for the 19th pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Favre became the Packers' starting quarterback in the fourth game of the
1992 season, stepping in for injured quarterback Don Majkowski, and started
every game through the 2007 season.[6] He was traded to the New York Jets and
started at quarterback for the 2008 season before signing with the Vikings on
August 18, 2009 as their starting quarterback.[7] He made an NFL record 297
consecutive starts (321 including playoffs).
He is the only player to win the AP Most Valuable Player three
consecutive times (1995–97).[8] He has led teams to eight division
championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009), five NFC
Championship Games (1995, 1996, 1997, 2007, 2009), and two Super Bowl
appearances (Super Bowl XXXI, Super Bowl XXXII), winning one (Super Bowl XXXI).
He holds many NFL records, including most career touchdown passes, most
career passing yards, most career pass completions, most career pass attempts,
most career interceptions thrown, most consecutive starts by a player, most
consecutive starts by a quarterback, most career victories as a starting
quarterback, most sacked, and most fumbles.[9][10]
He is also referred to by his nickname "The Gunslinger".[11]
Early years
Favre was born in Gulfport, Mississippi to Irvin and Bonita Favre, and
raised in the small town of Kiln. Both his parents were schoolteachers in the
Hancock County School District. He is of French and Choctaw ancestry; one of
his paternal grandparents was a Native American affiliated with the
Choctaw.[12] One of his ancestors is Simon Favre, an influential figure in
Spanish West Florida in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.[13]
He was the second of four children and attended Hancock North Central
High School where he played baseball and football. Favre started for the
Hancock North Central baseball team as an eighth-grader and earned five varsity
letters. He played quarterback, lineman, strong safety, placekicker and punter
in a primarily option, run-oriented offense coached by his father, Irvin Favre,
who was the head coach of the team.
Irvin Favre said he knew his son had a great arm but also knew that the
school was blessed with good running backs. As a result, in the three years
Brett was on the team, his father ran the wishbone, a run-oriented offense.
Favre rarely threw more than five passes in a game.[14]
College career
After high school, Southern Mississippi offered Favre a scholarship (the
only one he received). Southern Miss wanted him to play defensive back, but
Favre wanted to play quarterback instead. Favre began his freshman year as the
seventh-string quarterback and took over the starting position in the second
half of the third game of the year against Tulane on September 19, 1987. Favre,
despite suffering a hangover from the night before and vomiting during
warm-ups, led the Golden Eagles to a come-from-behind victory with two
touchdown passes.[15] Favre started ten games during his freshman year and won
six of them.
In his junior season, Favre led the Golden Eagles to an upset of Florida
State (then ranked sixth in the nation) on September 2, 1989. Favre capped a
six-and-a-half-minute drive with the game-winning touchdown pass with 23
seconds remaining.[15]
n July 14, 1990, before the start of Favre's senior year at Southern
Miss, he was involved in a near-fatal car accident. When going around a bend a
few tenths of a mile from his parents' house, Favre lost control of his car,
which flipped three times and came to rest against a tree. It was only after
one of his brothers smashed a car window with a golf club that Favre could be
evacuated to the hospital. In the ambulance, his mother was sitting with him.
"All I kept asking [her] was 'Will I be able to play football
again?'" Favre recalled later. Doctors would later remove 30 inches (76
cm) of Favre's small intestine. Six weeks after this incident, on September 8,
Favre led Southern Miss to a comeback victory over Alabama. Alabama coach Gene
Stallings said, "You can call it a miracle or a legend or whatever you
want to. I just know that on that day, Brett Favre was larger than
life."[16]
Favre continues to hold various Southern Miss football records. As of
the end of the 2010 season, he held the career individual record in the
following categories: most plays, most total yards gained, most passing yards
gained, most completions made, and most passing attempts made. He had held the
record for the most touchdowns scored (52), but it was later tied by
quarterback Lee Roberts, who played for the school from 1995–98. Favre had 15
games over his career where he compiled more than 200 passing yards, making him
the fourth all–time school leader in that category. Of those 15 games, five
were 300-yard games, the most compiled by any of the school's quarterbacks.
Additionally, he was the seasonal leader in total passing and total offense in
all four of his seasons at Southern Miss.[17]
1987: 79/194 for 1,264 yards with 15 TD vs 13 INT.[18]
1988: 178/319 for 2,271 yards with 16 TD vs 5 INT.
1989: 206/381 for 2,588 yards with 14 TD vs 10 INT.
1990: 150/275 for 1,572 yards with 7 TD vs 6 INT.
Favre earned a teaching degree with an emphasis in special education
from the University of Southern Mississippi.[19]
Professional career
Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round, 33rd
overall in the 1991 NFL Draft.[20] On July 19, 1991, Favre agreed to a
three-year, $1.4 million contract with a reported signing bonus of
$350,000.[21] Atlanta coach Jerry Glanville did not approve of the drafting of
Favre, saying it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the
game.[22] Favre's first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an
interception returned for a touchdown.[23] He only attempted four passes in his
career at Atlanta, was intercepted twice, and completed none of them. Brett
took one other snap, which resulted in a sack for an eleven-yard loss.[9]
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf traded a first-round pick
(19th overall, which would be used for Tony Smith) for Favre after the 1991
season. Wolf, while an assistant to the general manager of the New York Jets,
had intended to take Favre in the 1991 NFL draft, but Favre was taken by the
Falcons on the previous pick.[22][23]
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and other sources, during
the physical after the trade, Favre was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of
the hip, the same degenerative condition that ended Bo Jackson's football
career, and doctors recommended his physical be failed, which would nullify the
trade. Wolf overruled them.[23][24]
Brett Favre played 16 seasons in Green Bay. During his time in Green
Bay, Favre was the first NFL player to win three consecutive AP MVP awards. The
only player to win four AP MVP Awards is Peyton Manning.[25] He helped the
Packers appear in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXI. Favre also started
every Green Bay Packers game from September 20, 1992 to January 20, 2008.[26]
Beginnings (1992–94)
In the second game of the 1992 season, the Packers played the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. The Buccaneers were leading 17–0 at halftime when head coach Mike
Holmgren benched starting quarterback Don Majkowski and Favre played the second
half. On his first regular season play as a Packer, Favre threw a pass that was
deflected and caught by himself.[23] Favre was tackled and the completion went
for −7 yards. The Packers lost the game 31–3, chalking up only 106 yards
passing.[27][28]
In the third game of the 1992 season, Majkowski injured a ligament in
his ankle against the Cincinnati Bengals, an injury severe enough that he would
be out for four weeks. Favre replaced Majkowski for the remainder of the
contest. Favre fumbled four times during the course of the game,[28] a
performance poor enough that the crowd chanted for Favre to be removed in favor
of another Packers backup quarterback at the time, Ty Detmer.[29] However, down
23–17 with 1:07 left in the game, the Packers started an offensive series on
their own 8-yard line. Still at the quarterback position, Favre completed a 42
yard pass to Sterling Sharpe. Three plays later, Favre threw the game–winning
touchdown pass to Kitrick Taylor with 13 seconds remaining.[23][28]
The next week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers began the longest
consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history. The game ended in a
17–3 victory and his passer rating was 144.6. During the season, Favre helped
put together a six-game winning streak for the Packers, the longest winning
streak for the club since 1965. They ended 9–7 that season, missing the
playoffs on their last game.[28] Favre finished his first season as a Packer
with 3,227 yards and a quarterback rating of 85.3, helping him to his first Pro
Bowl.[30]
The following season Favre helped the Packers to their first playoff
berth since 1982 and was named to his second Pro Bowl. After the season Favre
became a free agent. General manager Ron Wolf negotiated Favre into a
five-year, $19 million contract.
The Packers finished the 1994 season 9–7, advancing them to the playoffs
in back to back years, a feat they had not accomplished since the Vince
Lombardi era.[31]
MVP (x3) and Super Bowl seasons (1995–97)
Favre (in a brown suit) with teammate Reggie White presenting President Bill
Clinton with a Packers jacket in a May 1997 ceremony following the Packers'
Super Bowl victory that year.
In 1995, Favre won the first of his three AP MVP awards. Favre led the
Packers to an 11–5 record, Green Bay's best record in nearly thirty years.[32]
Favre passed for a career high of 4,413 yards, 38 touchdowns, and recorded a
quarterback rating of 99.5, which was the highest of his career until he
recorded a rating of 107.2 during the 2009 season.[33] Favre also tied an NFL
record by passing for at least two touchdowns in twelve consecutive games, a
feat he accomplished over the 1994-1995 seasons. The Packers advanced to the
NFC Championship Game after upsetting the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC
Divisional Game. The Packers lost the NFC Championship game to the Dallas
Cowboys, marking the third year in a row the Packers season was ended by the
Cowboys in the playoffs. Favre helped the Packers advance farther in the
playoffs than any other Packer team since 1967, the season the Packers won
Super Bowl II.[34]
While being treated for various injuries, Brett Favre developed an
addiction to vicodin, which became publicly known when he suffered a seizure
during a hospital visit. Amid an NFL investigation, he went public to avoid any
rumors about his condition. In May 1996, he went into treatment and remained in
rehabilitation for 46 days. Had he chosen not to go, the NFL would have imposed
a $900,000 fine.[35][36] Favre led the Packers to their best season in 30 years
in the 1996 season, winning his second consecutive MVP award in the process.
The Packers led the NFL in points scored as well as fewest points scored
against. Green Bay tied the Denver Broncos for the NFL's best regular season
record, 13–3, defeated the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers at Lambeau
Field in the playoffs. The Packers advanced to Super Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana
Superdome, a short drive from Favre's hometown.[37]
In Super Bowl XXXI, Favre completed 14 of 27 passes for 246 yards and 2
touchdowns. On the second play of the game, Favre threw a 54-yard touchdown
pass to receiver Andre Rison. Favre also completed an 81-yard touchdown pass to
Antonio Freeman in the second quarter (then a Super Bowl record). Favre rushed
for 12 yards and another touchdown, as the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI over the
New England Patriots, 35–21. In their 19 games of the season, the Packers had a
turnover ratio of plus 24, and outscored their opponents 100–48 in the
playoffs.[37]
Favre and the Packers continued their dominance of the NFC during the
next season. Favre was named AP co-MVP of the league along with Detroit Lions'
running back Barry Sanders, his third straight award. Also, Green Bay advanced
through the playoffs to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. After
being heavily favored by 13 points, the Packers lost to the Denver Broncos in
Super Bowl XXXII by the score of 31–24 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, ending
the NFC's 13-year Super Bowl winning streak. Favre completed 25 of 42 passes
for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 interception and 1 fumble in the losing
effort.[25]
Mid-career (1998–2002)
Favre, standing, scans the Bears' defense during the 2004 season.
The Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers in a wild card playoff game
in 1998. Favre had rallied the team with a touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman
with 1:56 remaining in the game to put the Packers up 27–23. However, Steve
Young responded with a touchdown of his own to Terrell Owens with three seconds
remaining to end the Packers season.[38] Favre and the Packers failed for the
first time since 1994 to at least reach the NFC championship game.[39]
In the regular season finale of 2001, Favre was the target of minor
controversy when, in a game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, he
was sacked by the Giants defensive end Michael Strahan. It was Strahan's lone
sack of the game and gave him the NFL's single–season sack record of 22.5,
which topped Mark Gastineau's record of 22 set in 1984.[40] Some analysts, such
as Mike Freeman of The New York Times, expressed the opinion that Favre allowed
himself to be sacked in order to allow Strahan to set the record.[41]
On March 1, 2001, Favre signed a "lifetime" contract
extension, which technically was a 10-year contract extension worth around $100
million.[42]
Favre and the Packers continued posting positive results through the
next few seasons. Through the 2004 season, the Packers had the longest streak
of non-losing seasons (13) in the NFL, despite an 8–8 record under coach Ray
Rhodes, a 9–7 season under coach Mike Sherman, and no playoff berths in either
1999 or 2000. The streak ended in 2005, with the Packers finishing 4–12
overall.
Later career & personal tragedies (2003–06)
Favre with the Packers in 2007.
One day after his father died of a heart attack or stroke,[43] Favre
decided to play in a December 22, 2003, Monday Night Football game against the
Oakland Raiders. The Packers traveled to Oakland where Favre passed for four
touchdowns in the first half and 399 total yards in a 41–7 victory over the
Raiders on international television (even receiving applause from "Raider
Nation"). He completed 73.3% of his passes and finished the game with a
passer rating of 154.9[44] – the highest of Favre's career and just 3.4 points
shy of perfect. Afterwards, Favre said, "I knew that my dad would have
wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game. It's meant a great
deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn't expect this kind of
performance. But I know he was watching tonight."[45] He then went to his
father's funeral in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Favre won an ESPY Award for
his Monday Night Football performance.[46]
A notable game in the 2004 season in which Favre and the Packers
finished 10–6 was against the New York Giants. During the game, Favre suffered
a concussion. He did not receive medical clearance to re-enter the game.
Despite the concussion, Favre threw a 28-yard touchdown to Javon Walker on a
fourth down play. Afterwards it was reported that Favre did not remember
throwing the touchdown pass.[47] Favre also had two significant touchdown
streaks of note during the season. He had completed at least one touchdown pass
in 36 consecutive games over the 2002-2004 seasons which at the time was the
second longest streak in NFL history. Also, during the 2004 post-season, he
broke Dan Marino's record for consecutive games with at least one touchdown
pass in the post season. Favre went on to throw a touchdown pass in twenty
consecutive playoff games which is still an NFL record.
After the death of his father, a series of events related to Favre's
family were reported in the media. In October 2004, ten months after the death
of Favre's father, his brother-in-law, Casey Tynes, was killed in an
all-terrain vehicle accident on Favre's Mississippi property.[48]
Soon after in 2004, Favre's wife, Deanna Favre, was diagnosed with
breast cancer. Following aggressive treatment through 2004, she recovered. She
created The Deanna Favre Hope Foundation which supports breast cancer education
and women's breast imaging and diagnosis services for all women, including
those who are medically underserved.[48]
Brett Favre, third from the left; his wife Deanna, second from the left;
and First Lady Laura Bush, third from the right; attend a ribbon cutting
ceremony in Kiln, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina.
In late August 2005, Favre's family suffered another setback: Hurricane
Katrina blew through Mississippi, destroying his family's home there; however,
none of his family members were injured.[49] Brett and Deanna's property in
Hattiesburg, Mississippi was also extensively damaged by the storm.[50] Favre
elected to continue to play in the 2005 season.
For the 2005 season, the Packers, despite throwing for over 3,000 yards
for a record 14th consecutive time, Favre had a below average season with only
20 touchdown passes and a league-leading 29 interceptions. The loss of guards
Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle to free agency along with key injuries to Javon
Walker, Ahman Green, Bubba Franks, among others, hampered Favre and the team.
His passer rating was 70.9, 31st in the NFL and the worst single season rating
of his career.[51] After the disappointing season, many speculated that Favre
would retire.[52] However, on April 26, 2006, Favre announced that he would
remain with the team for the 2006 season. Despite earlier comments that the
2006 season would be his last, Favre announced in a press conference on May 6,
2006, that he had not ruled out the possibility of returning beyond the 2006
season.[53]
In the 2006 season, Favre suffered his first career shutout against the
Chicago Bears. Later in the season, the New England Patriots shut out the
Packers in a game where he was injured before halftime and could not complete
the game.[54][55] On September 24, 2006, he became just the second quarterback
in NFL history to record 400 touchdown passes (Dan Marino being the first). He
connected with rookie wide receiver Greg Jennings on a 5-yard pass that
Jennings turned into a 75-yard touchdown play during a win against the Detroit
Lions.[56] He also became the first player ever to complete 5,000 passes in his
career. On December 31, 2006, the Packers played their last game of the season,
winning 26–7 against the Chicago Bears. It was his 22nd career win versus the
Bears, moving him to an all-time record of 22–8.
Milestone season (2007)
On February 26, 2007, Brett Favre underwent minor arthroscopic ankle
surgery in Green Bay, Wisconsin to remove a buildup of bone spurs in his left
ankle.[57]
Favre broke Dan Marino's touchdown pass record on September 30, 2007, at
the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Favre began the 2007 season trailing in a number of career NFL passing
records. On September 16, 2007, Favre and the Packers defeated the New York
Giants to give Favre his record setting 149th win, passing John Elway. On
September 30, Favre threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings in a game
against the Vikings. This was his 421st NFL touchdown pass, and set a new
all-time record, surpassing Dan Marino's 420.
On November 4, 2007, after the Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs
33–22, Favre became only the 3rd quarterback to have defeated all thirty-one
other current NFL teams. He joined Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only
quarterbacks in NFL history to do this, just the week after the two of them
achieved the accomplishment.[58] On Thanksgiving 2007, Favre led the Packers to
a 37–26 win over the Lions, and brought the Packers to a 10–1 record. He won
the Galloping Gobbler award, given by the broadcasters at Fox to the game MVP.
Favre threw three touchdown passes for his 63rd career game with at least three
touchdowns, surpassing Marino's former record of 62.[59]
Favre led the Packers to a 13–3 regular season record, the NFC North
championship, and the second seed in the NFC playoffs. Prior to the Packers'
playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, Favre stated his desire to continue
playing football for another season.[60] In the Divisional Playoffs, Favre
threw three touchdowns as the Packers cruised to a 42–20 victory over the
Seahawks at a snowy Lambeau Field. The Packers' season ended the following week
when they suffered a 23–20 overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game to the
eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. Negotiating sub-zero
temperatures, Favre amassed 236 passing yards and two touchdowns, but also
threw an interception in overtime that set up the Giants' game-winning field
goal. Favre's 90-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver in the second quarter was
the longest pass in Packers playoff history, and it extended Favre's NFL record
for consecutive postseason games with a touchdown pass to 18.[61] Favre stated
after the game that he would make a decision more quickly than he has in the
past regarding whether he would return for another season.
Favre's milestone 2007 season culminated with his selection to the 2008
Pro Bowl as the starting quarterback for the NFC, but an ankle injury forced
him to withdraw.[62]
Retirements and returns (2008)
Beginning near the end of the 2006 season, word began to surface that
Favre was considering retirement. In fact, playing in Soldier Field against the
arch-rival Bears in the season finale, Favre was given a standing ovation in
the closing seconds of the Packer victory as a show of respect from Chicago
fans to their longtime nemesis. Moments later at the postgame interview, he
gave a tearful interview with an NBC Sports correspondent, where he admitted
his future was still questionable. However, after much debate, he returned for
2007, during which his future was once again in doubt and an oft-discussed
topic, with many in the media speculating that if the Packers made the Super
Bowl, Favre would indeed retire and hand the reins to the unproven but talented
Aaron Rodgers, who was drafted two years earlier as Favre's heir-apparent.
Ultimately, the Packers fell in the NFC Championship to the New York Giants
(who in turn upset the heavily favored New England Patriots in Super Bowl
XLII).
On March 4, 2008, Favre formally announced his retirement.[63][64][65]
Although Favre stated that he had been willing to play another year, he felt
that another season would only be successful if he led his team to another
Super Bowl victory. He added the chances for a Super Bowl win were small, and
that he was not up for the challenge. At his press conference, Favre openly wept
about leaving the NFL. He stated that his decision, regardless of what was
being said in the media, had nothing to do with what the Packers did or didn't
do. He said, seemingly contradictory to Cook's statements, that his decision to
retire was based on the fact that he did not want to play anymore. He said
during the conference, "I know I can play, but I don't think I want to.
And that's really what it comes down to."[65]
On July 2, 2008, it was reported that Favre was in contact with the
Packers about a possible return to the team.[66] On July 11, 2008, Favre sent a
letter to the Packers asking for his unconditional release to allow him to play
for another NFL team.[67] Packers general manager Ted Thompson announced he
would not grant Favre an unconditional release[68] and reaffirmed the
organization's commitment to Aaron Rodgers as its new quarterback.[69]
Complicating matters was Favre's unique contract giving him the leverage to
void any potential trade by not reporting to the camp of the team he might be
traded to if the Packers elect to go that route.[70]
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his potential comeback in
a July 14, 2008, interview with Greta Van Susteren on the Fox News Channel's On
the Record with Greta Van Susteren. In the interview, Favre said he was
"guilty of retiring early," that he was "never fully
committed" to retirement, and that he was pressured by the Packers to make
a decision before the NFL Draft and the start of the free agent signing period.[71]
Favre disputed the notion that he does not want to play for Green Bay and said
that while he understands the organization has decided to move on, they should
now allow him to do the same. He made clear that he would not return to the
Packers as a backup and reiterated his desire to be released rather than
traded, which would allow him the freedom to play for a competitive team. Favre
also accused the Packers of being dishonest, wishing the team would have been
straightforward with him and the public.[72]
In the second part of the interview, which aired on July 15, Favre
expressed his frustration with Packer management, spoke of his sympathy for
successor Aaron Rodgers' predicament, and affirmed he is 100 percent committed
to playing football in 2008.[73]
FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported on July 16, 2008, that the Packers
filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings with the league office,
alleging improper communication between Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell
Bevell and Favre,[74] although one source suggested that Favre may have been in
contact with Vikings head coach Brad Childress.[75] After an investigation,
Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled there had been no violation of tampering
rules.[76]
Favre formally filed for reinstatement with the NFL on July 29, 2008,
and his petition was granted by Commissioner Goodell, effective August 4,
2008.[77] Favre then flew to Green Bay to report to Packers training camp.
After a lengthy meeting with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted
Thompson, however, both sides agreed it was time for Favre and the organization
to part ways. McCarthy sensed Favre was not in "the right mind-set"
to resume playing for the Packers, while Favre felt that his relationship with
Packer management had deteriorated to the point that a return to the team would
be untenable.[78]
New York Jets (2008)
Favre during his time playing for the Jets
After negotiations with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York
Jets,[79] the Packers traded Favre to the Jets on August 7, 2008, in exchange
for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft with performance
escalation. Favre's season with the Jets started well; in week four of the 2008
season, he threw six touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals, a personal best
and one fewer than the NFL record.[80] This performance led to him being
selected as the FedEx Air Player of the Week. By Week 12, the Jets had compiled
an 8–3 record, including a win over the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans.
However, the Jets lost four of the last five games of the season, including the
final game against the Miami Dolphins, who had acquired Chad Pennington after
he was released from the Jets to make room for Favre. In those five games,
Favre threw eight interceptions and only two touchdown passes, bringing his
season total to twenty-two of each.[81] Favre had complained of shoulder pain
and had an MRI performed on December 29, 2008, which revealed a torn biceps
tendon in his right shoulder. After the 2008 season had ended, in mid January
2009, Favre told Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, "it may be time to
look in a different direction" regarding the quarterback position.[82] On
February 11, 2009, Favre informed the Jets that he was retiring after 18
seasons.[83] He remained property of the New York Jets organization, until
April 28, 2009, when the Jets released Favre from his contract, thus allowing
him to sign anywhere he wanted. By May 2009, he was officially cut from the
Jets Reserve/Retired list.[84] In September 2009, Favre again made Jets news, as
the NFL learned that the Jets were aware that Favre injured his arm in the
eleventh game of the 2008 season, and fined the Jets $125,000 for not reporting
the injury in any of the Jets' five final games.[85]
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)
Favre with th Vikings in 2009
Favre officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 18, 2009.
He would go on to have a landmark season in which he surpassed former Vikings
defensive end Jim Marshall for consecutive starts at one position, with
291,[86] became the first quarterback in NFL history to defeat every one of the
league's 32 franchises since the NFL first expanded to 32 franchises in
2002,[87] surpassed Dan Marino's previous record for four-touchdown games, and
was named to his 11th Pro Bowl.[88] The Vikings finished 12-4 and advanced to
the NFC Championship game, ultimately losing in overtime to the eventual Super
Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.[89] Despite the loss, Favre set playoff
records for pass completions and passing yards previously held by Joe
Montana.[90]
On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, NBC Sports reported the confirmation of
Brett Favre returning to the Minnesota Vikings, however he repeatedly mentioned
that the 2010 season would be his final season.[91] An announcement was given
on August 17, 2010 confirming his return to the team.[92] That season, Brett
Favre achieved two milestones. He threw for his 500th touchdown and 70,000th
yard against the New York Jets.[93] On November 7, 2010, in a game against the
Arizona Cardinals, Favre threw for a career high 446 yards while rallying the
Vikings from a 14-point 4th quarter deficit to win in overtime.[94] On December
5, 2010, in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Favre was hit by Bills linebacker
Arthur Moats while making a throw, causing him to sustain a sprain of the AC
joint in his right shoulder. Favre missed the rest of the game and was replaced
by Tarvaris Jackson who led the Vikings to victory despite throwing three
interceptions.
On December 13, 2010, due to his sprained shoulder, Brett Favre was
marked inactive for the game against the New York Giants ending his consecutive
regular season start streak at 297. Favre started a total of 321 games
including post-season appearances. On December 20, 2010 while playing the
Chicago Bears outside at TCF Bank Stadium due to the collapse of the Hubert H.
Humphrey Metrodome, Favre sustained a concussion after being sacked by Bears
defensive end Corey Wootton. This would be his final appearance in an NFL game.
On January 2, 2011, Favre was unable to play against the Detroit Lions
in the final game of the regular NFL season due to his inability to pass
NFL-mandated post-concussion tests. In a press conference immediately following
the game, Favre announced his intention to retire from professional football.
On January 17, 2011, Favre officially filed his retirement papers with
the NFL.[95]
Post NFL career
Favre was the analyst for his alma mater, Southern Miss, when they
played the Rice Owls on October 1, 2011.[96] In 2012, Favre became the
offensive coordinator for Oak Grove High School.[97] Favre won his first game
as a coach by a score of 64-6.[98] He later joined NFL Network for pregame
coverage of Super Bowl XLVII.[99]
Career achievements
Brett Favre during the 2010 season with the Vikings.
For a more detailed list, see List of career achievements by Brett
Favre.
Honors and awards
Favre has received several awards including:
3× Associated Press Most Valuable Player (MVP) (1995, 1996, and 1997;
the last shared with Barry Sanders).[100]
11× Pro Bowl selection.[101]
6× First- or Second-team All-Pro selection.[102]
Named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.[103]
He has also been honored by several organizations including Men's Health
Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Make a Wish Foundation, and United States Sports
Academy.
Records and milestones
Favre owns several NFL records including:
Most pass touchdowns (508)
Most pass yards (71,838)
Most pass completions (6,300)
Most pass attempts (10,169)
Most pass interceptions (336)
Most starts (298)
Most wins (186)
He owns a number of team records, including having printed his name into
almost every passing category in the annals of Green Bay Packers history.
He is the holder of several firsts in NFL history, including the only
quarterback to win three consecutive NFL most valuable player awards, the only
quarterback to defeat all 32 NFL franchises, and the only quarterback to win a
playoff game over age 40.
He also owns a number of college records with Southern Mississippi.
Consecutive starts streak
Since first being named the starter of the Green Bay Packers before
playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 27, 1992, Brett Favre had never
missed a game spanning over 18 1⁄2 consecutive seasons.[104] He holds the
record for the most consecutive starts by any player in the NFL with 297 (321
including playoffs), and is one of only seven quarterbacks to have started over
100 consecutive games in NFL history. He failed to finish a game due to injury
on only eight occasions since taking control of the Packers as
quarterback.[105][106][107]
Since the beginning of Favre's consecutive starts streak, 238 other
quarterbacks have started in the NFL,[108] 17 of them being back-ups to Favre
at one point.[104] Among the former backups who started a game during his
streak include: Don Majkowski (1992), Ty Detmer (1992–1995), Mark Brunell
(1993–1994), Doug Pederson (1996–1998, 2001–2004), Steve Bono (1997), Rick
Mirer (1998), Matt Hasselbeck (1999–2000), Aaron Brooks (1999), Danny Wuerffel
(2000), Henry Burris (2001), J.T. O'Sullivan (2004), Aaron Rodgers (2005–2007),
Kellen Clemens (2008), and Tarvaris Jackson (2009–2010), with three veteran
backups having never started another NFL game: Jim McMahon (1995–1996), T.J.
Rubley (1995), and Sage Rosenfels (2009). Eight other quarterbacks were back-ups
to Favre but did not start a game during the streak including six that never
started an NFL game in their career (Craig Nall (2002–2005, 2007), Ingle Martin
(2006), Brett Ratliff (2008), Erik Ainge (2008), Rhett Bomar (2010), and R.J.
Archer (2010)) and two having started a game since the streak ended (Todd
Bouman (2006) and Joe Webb (2010)). Eleven other quarterbacks were practice
squad members (Mike McCoy (1995), Kyle Wachholtz (1996-1997), Greg Zolman
(2002), Eric Crouch (2003-2004), Scott McBrien (2004), Dalton Bell (2007), Paul
Thompson (2007), and John David Booty (2009)) or training camp-only
participants (Kurt Warner (1994), Jay Barker (1995) and Ronnie McAda (1997))
during the streak but failed to make the team roster.
The consecutive starts streak is widely considered one of the most
notable streaks in sports, so much so that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has as
an exhibit displaying the jersey Favre wore during his record breaking 117th
consecutive start as a quarterback, and a section of their website devoted to
what the Hall of Fame calls an "Iron man".[109]
In 2009, Favre surpassed Jim Marshall for starts at any position with
his record-breaking 271st start as a quarterback as the Vikings played the
Lions.[110] His streak ended at 297, with the last start in the streak coming
on December 5, 2010. Favre was unable to start the Vikings' December 13 game
against the New York Giants due to a shoulder injury, despite the game being
delayed for a day because of the collapse of the Metrodome roof.[111]
Statistics
Brett Favre's professional statistics:[112]
Retirement speculation through the years
2002: In September, Peter King conducted an interview with Favre during
spring training. Favre told him that he missed home and was thinking more and
more about retirement. When then head-coach Mike Sherman told the players they
could have off on Saturday and Sunday, Favre replied "I wish I could be on
my lawn mower back home."[113]
2003: Favre was constantly asked about retirement throughout the early
part of the year. Favre jokingly responded by saying "I can't even
remember how the whole retirement thing started, but whoever started it needs
to be shot."[113]
2005: After the Packers got off to a slow start, rumors that Favre might
retire started to escalate. Favre responded by saying "At 0-3, I think
most people would say 'Oh, he's gone after this year, or they won't even want
him back.'...I don't even think about when that time might come."[113]
2006: In an interview with ESPN in January, after the Packers had
finished 4-12, Favre admitted that if he had to make a decision right away he
would not come back. He went on to say "There's other days, I go, 'What if
it's crunch time, two minutes left, do you want the ball?' I don't know if I
do."[113][114][115] In March, Favre hears Phil Simms say on Sirius radio
that as long as Favre can physically play the game, he should. Shortly
thereafter, Favre confirms he would return to play.[113][115] After the Packers
defeated the Chicago Bears the last game of the season 26-7, Favre choked up
during an interview with Andrea Kremer by saying "If today's my last game,
I want to remember it. It's tough. It's tough. I'll miss these guys. I'll miss
this game. I just want every one to know that...I didn't plan on doing this.
Way to put me on the spot." Asked if he was indeed going to retire, Favre
responded "We'll see. We'll see. I don't want to say anything right now.
After the game, a Packers teammate said that Favre was just as emotional in a
speech after the Seattle Seahawks game in 2005 at Lambeau Field when he was all
but certain he was going to retire.[113][114][115]
2007: In February, Favre tells the Biloxi Sun Herald that he plans to
come back for another season with the Packers.[113][114][115]
2008: In early March, Favre announces that he is retiring from the Green
Bay Packers. At a news conference he said "I know I can play, but I don't
think I want to. It's been a great career for me, but it's over. As they say,
all good things must come to an end. I look forward to whatever the future may
hold for me." Later in the month Favre has second thoughts and wants to
return. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Favre backed out of a
meeting with Packers management two days before re-entry talks were to
begin.[113][114][115][116] In April, Sam Farmer from the Los Angeles Times
reported that Favre's agent Bus Cook was making inquiries to other teams about
Favre. Favre responded by saying "I have no idea where that came from, but
it certainly didn't come from me. I'm happy about my decision and I haven't
once said 'I wonder if I made the wrong decision.' I know it's the right one.
It's kind of funny. Even when I'm retired, they won't let me stay
retired."[113] Also in April, the Packers placed Favre on the
Reserve-Retired list and planned to have Favre's number retired during the
season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.[116] In June, Favre said he told
head coach Mike McCarthy he wanted to come back to the team. He said "When
he picked up the phone again after he dropped it, he said, 'Oh, God, Brett.
You're putting us in a tight spot. He said, 'Brett, playing here is not an
option.' Those were his exact, exact words."[116] In July, Favre sent a
letter requesting his release from the Packers.[113][116] A couple months earlier
Favre contacted Mike McCarthy about coming out of retirement and was
"rebuffed" according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. Then a
report came in from ESPN that said that Favre had wanted to come out of
retirement but the Packers were reluctant to take him back.[113] The Packers
refused to give Favre an unconditional release.[114] A few days later, Favre
had an interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News where he accused general
manager Ted Thompson of forcing him to make a decision on his return to the
team too quickly.[113][114] Two days after the interview, the Packers filed
tampering charges with the NFL front office charging that the Minnesota Vikings
had inappropriate contact with Favre.[113][116] The Packers then offered Favre
a retirement package of $25 million marketing agreement to remain retired. This
offer was rejected and Favre was subsequently traded to the New York
Jets.[113][115][116]
2009: In February, Favre said he retired although his agent Bus Cook
asked for his release from the New York Jets. After the Jets released him in
April, Bus Cook e-mailed Jarrett Bell of USA Today that "He's retired,
working on his farm in Mississippi."[113][114][115][116] In May, Minnesota
Vikings head coach Brad Childress set up a meeting with Favre to discuss him
possibly playing with the team. In July, Childress said Favre would not be
coming out of retirement. However, in August Favre announced he would come back
and play for the Vikings.[113][114][115][116]
2010: In April, Favre indicated that if it were not for his Vikings
teammates and fans, it would be easy to retire. In early August, Favre's ankle
(which was injured during the 2009 playoffs) had not responded after surgery
and rehabilitation. As a result he informed the team that he would not be coming
back for another season.[113][115][116] However, two weeks later he told
teammates Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Ryan Longwell he was coming back
for another season.[113][116]
2011: In January, Favre filed retirement papers with the NFL.[117] In December,
a report from ESPN-Chicago indicated that Favre would be open to coming back
from retirement if the Chicago Bears were interested. However, head coach Lovie
Smith and Favre denied the report. Favre said "In spite of reports about
playing with various teams, I'm enjoying retirement with my family and have no
plans to play football."[118]
Personal life
Family
Favre married Deanna Tynes on July 14, 1996. Together, they have two
daughters, Brittany (born 1989) and Breleigh (born 1999). A grandson, Parker
Brett, was born to Brittany on April 2, 2010.[119] The NFL stated that at the
time it did not know of any other active players with grandchildren.
Favre's mother, Bonita, helps manage his holdings in agriculture and
real estate, handle his endorsements and appearances and oversee his charity
work.[120] Brett and Bonita Favre released a book in 2004 titled Favre (ISBN
978-1-59071-036-4) which discusses their personal family and Green Bay Packers
family, including the Monday Night Football game that followed the death of
Brett's father Irvin Favre.[121]
Charitable work
Favre established the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation in 1996. In
conjunction with his annual golf tournament, celebrity softball game and
fundraising dinners, the foundation has donated more than $2 million to
charities in his home state of Mississippi as well as to those in his adopted
state of Wisconsin.[122]
Favre is involved with youth that are ill. Favre was awarded the Chris
Greicius Celebrity Award from the Make a Wish Foundation.[123] He is also known
to respond to requests made to his foundation regarding youth with serious
illnesses such as cancer.[124]
Business
The Favre family also owns and operates the Brett Favre's Steakhouse,
located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[125]
Entertainment
Favre made a cameo appearance in the 1998 romantic comedy film There's
Something About Mary as Cameron Diaz's character's former love interest.
Endorsements
Favre has been a spokesperson for multiple companies, including Nike,
Snapper, Remington, Sears, Prilosec, Sensodyne, MasterCard, Wrangler, Bergstrom
Automotive, and Hyundai.[126]