Brett Favre

Brett Lorenzo Favre (born October 10, 1969) is an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings. He is a 19-year veteran, predominantly as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers (1992–2007). He also played a single season each for the Atlanta Falcons (1991), New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009). 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). After one season, 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, starting every game through the 2007 season.^[2] He was traded to the New York Jets as the starting quarterback for the 2008 season, and subsequently signed with the Vikings on August 18, 2009 as their starting quarterback.^[3] He has made an NFL record 285 consecutive starts (309 including playoffs).

He is the only player to win the AP Most Valuable Player three consecutive times (1995–97).^[4] He has led teams to eight division championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2009), five NFC Championship Games (1995, 1996, 1997, 2007, and 2009), winning two (1996 and 1997), and two Super Bowl appearances, 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, and most career victories as a starting quarterback.

Favre was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, and raised in the small town of Kiln. He is of French and Choctaw ancestry; one of his paternal grandparents was a Native American affiliated with the Choctaw.^[7] 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.

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.^[8]

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.^[9]

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.^[9]

On 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 (760 mm) 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.”^[10]

Favre continues to hold various Southern Miss football records. As of the end of the 2009 season, he holds 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.^[11]

Favre earned a teaching degree with an emphasis in special education from the University of Southern Mississippi.^[12]

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons (1991)

Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round, 33rd overall in the 1991 NFL Draft.^[13] On July 19, 1991, Favre agreed to a three-year, $1.4 million contract with a reported signing bonus of $350,000.^[14] 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.^[15] Favre’s first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown. He only attempted five passes in his career at Atlanta, was intercepted twice, and completed none of them.^[5]

The Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf traded a first–round pick (19th overall, RB Tony Smith, Southern Miss) for Favre during the following offseason. 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.^[15]

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.^[16]

Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)

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.^[17] 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.^[18]

Beginnings (1992–1994)

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. Favre was tackled and the completion went for −7 yards. The Packers lost the game 31–3, chalking up only 106 yards passing.^[19][20]

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,^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[20]

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.^[20] 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.^[22]

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.^[23]

MVPs and Super Bowl seasons (1995–1997)

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.^[24] 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.^[25] 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.^[26]

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.^[27][28] 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.^[29]

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.^[29]

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, the Packers lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII by the score of 31–24 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Favre completed 25 of 42 passes for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 interception in the losing effort.^[17]

Mid-career (1998–2002)

The Packers dominance in the NFC ended when they 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.^[30] Favre and the Packers failed for the first time since 1994 to at least reach the NFC championship game.^[31]

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.^[32] 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.^[33]

On March 1, 2001, Favre signed a “lifetime” contract extension, which technically was a 10-year contract extension worth around $100 million dollars.^[34]

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 (2003–2006)

One day after his father died of a heart attack or stroke,^[35] Favre decided to play in a December 22, 2003, Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders. 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“). 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.”^[36] He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.^[37] He then went to his father’s funeral in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Favre won an ESPY Award for his Monday Night Football performance.^[38]

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.^[39]

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.^[40]

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.^[40]

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.^[41] Brett and Deanna’s property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi was also extensively damaged by the storm.^[42] 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.^[43] After the disappointing season, many speculated that Favre would retire.^[44] 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.^[45]

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.^[46][47] 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.^[48] 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.^[49]

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.^[50] 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.^[51]

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.^[52] 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.^[53] 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.^[54]

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 reigns 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).

Finally, On March 4, 2008, Favre formally announced his retirement.^[55][56][57] 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 wasn’t 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 didn’t 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.”^[57]

On July 2, 2008, it was reported that Favre was in contact with the Packers about a possible return to the team.^[58] 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.^[59] Packers general manager Ted Thompson announced he would not grant Favre an unconditional release^[60] and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Aaron Rodgers as its new quarterback.^[61] 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.^[62]

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.^[63] Favre disputed the notion that he doesn’t 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.^[64]

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.^[65]

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,^[66] although one source suggested that Favre may have been in contact with Vikings head coach Brad Childress.^[67] After an investigation, Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled there had been no violation of tampering rules.^[68]

Favre formally filed for reinstatement with the NFL on July 29, 2008, and his petition was granted by Commissioner Goodell, effective August 4, 2008.^[69] 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.^[70] 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.^[70]

New York Jets (2008)

After negotiations with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets,^[71] 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.^[72] 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.^[73] 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.^[74] On February 11, 2009, Favre informed the Jets that he was retiring after 18 seasons.^[75] 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.^[76] 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.^[77]

Minnesota Vikings (2009–present)

Amid speculation that Favre would once again attempt a comeback, it was reported in May 2009, that Favre had undergone arthroscopic surgery to complete a tear in his proximal biceps tendon.^[78] (Because the biceps muscle has two attachments, the muscle remains functional and is often less painful when an injured tendon is cut.^[79]) On June 15, 2009, Favre stated he was considering playing again, most likely with the Minnesota Vikings. On July 28, Brett Favre informed Vikings officials that he would remain retired.^[80] On the morning of August 18, 2009, WCCO-TV, a CBS affiliate in Minneapolis, Minnesota reported that Favre would sign with the Minnesota Vikings later in the day.^[81] ESPN.com later reported the same news, as Favre would sign a contract with the Vikings pending a physical.^[82] Favre officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 18, 2009.

During Week 2, on September 20, Favre surpassed former Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall for consecutive starts at one position, with 291.^[83]

On October 5, with a 30–23 victory over his former team the Green Bay Packers, which he was with for 16 seasons, Favre 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.^[84] This Monday night game between Minnesota and Green Bay was the most-viewed television program, sports or otherwise, in the history of cable television. The game drew a 15.3 rating and had 21.8 million viewers.^[85]

With week five’s win against the St. Louis Rams, Favre started the 2009 season 5–0, which was a personal best in his career. That same game, he also recorded the second reception of his career. His first catch was in 1992, his first NFL completion. Then, he outdid himself by going to 6–0 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens.

On November 1, Favre returned to Green Bay to play his former team. After receiving boos from fans in the stadium he called home for 16 years, Favre went on to complete 17 of 28 passes for 244 yards. His four touchdown passes in this game tied Dan Marino‘s career record of 21 four-touchdown games.^[86] Favre and the Vikings claimed a 38–26 victory to improve to 7–1.^[87][88] The game drew a 17.4 rating and 29.8 million viewers, higher than Game 4 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.^[89]

On November 22, Favre threw four touchdowns in the 35–9 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, taking the Vikings to 9–1. Brett’s four touchdown passes in this game surpassed Dan Marino’s previous record, taking it to 22 four-touchdown games. Favre completed 22 of his 25 throws for a career-high 88 percent. His previous career high was 85.2 percent against Detroit on Sept. 20.^[90]

On November 29, Favre threw three TD passes and posted a passer rating of 112.5 in a 36–10 home win against the Chicago Bears. It was his 282nd consecutive regular-season game, tying Jim Marshall‘s record for most consecutive games played by a position player, and he also threw his 500th career touchdown.

After starting 10–1, the Vikings lost three of their next four games, with losses to the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers and a win against the Cincinnati Bengals. During the Carolina game, Minnesota head coach Brad Childress told Favre that he was considering benching Favre to protect him and Favre disagreed.^[91]

On December 29, 2009, Favre was named to his 11th Pro Bowl behind Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints).^[92] He racked the third most votes behind Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

Favre led the Vikings to a 34-3 win in their first playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, throwing four touchdown passes and no interceptions. It was his first-ever playoff win against the Cowboys, following three playoff losses when he was the quarterback of the Packers. Favre also became the first quarterback to win a playoff game at the age of 40. In celebration, Favre rallied his teammates in the locker room to sing “Pants on the Ground“, a humorous song first performed during an American Idol audition.^[93]

Favre and the Vikings subsequently lost in the NFC Championship game in overtime against the New Orleans Saints. Favre’s final throw against the Saints resulted in an interception which effectively ended any chance of a Vikings victory in regulation.^[94] Despite the loss, Favre set playoff records for pass completions and passing yards previously held by Joe Montana.^[95]

On April 30, 2010 Favre informed ESPN’s Ed Werder that he was informed by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews that his ankle injury that he suffered in the 2009 NFC Championship Game has not healed and will require surgery to repair it if he wants to play for a twentieth season in the league and will now face the prospect of having surgery or retire. He issued this statement, saying: “This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 — much like Green Bay for many years. That’s what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.” ^[96]

Career achievements

For a more detailed list, see List of career achievements by Brett Favre

Honors and awards

• Won the Associated Press Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award three times, all in consecutive years (1995, 1996, and 1997; the last shared with Barry Sanders).^[97]
• Was selected to play in the Pro Bowl eleven times in his career.^[98]
• Was a six-time First- or Second-team All-Pro selection.^[99]
• Was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.^[100]

Records and milestones

As of the end of the 2009 NFL season, Favre owned or shared most of the well-known NFL career records, including:

• Consecutive starts as a quarterback: 285 (309 including playoffs)^[6][101]
• Consecutive starts as a position player: 285 (309 including playoffs)^[102]
• Career regular-season victories by a starting quarterback: 181 (Regular-season record: 181–104)^[6]
• Wins by a starting quarterback in one stadium: 90, Lambeau Field (including once as a Minnesota Viking)
• Consecutive wins, regular season and playoffs, by a starting quarterback in one stadium: 29, Lambeau Field, 1995–1998
• Consecutive wins, regular season, by a starting quarterback in one stadium: 25, Lambeau Field, 1995–1998
• Wins by a starting quarterback against a single opponent: 27, Detroit Lions (18–0 in home games)
• Completions, Attempts, Passing Yards, Touchdown Passes against a single opponent: Detroit Lions: 790 completions, 11,247 attempts, 9,219 passing yards, 60 touchdown passes
• Career passing touchdowns: 497^[103][104]
• Career passing yards: 69,329^[103]
• Career pass completions: 6,083^[6][105]
• Career pass attempts: 9,811^[5][6][106]
• Career interceptions thrown: 317^[103][107]
• Career games with at least 1 touchdown pass: 241
• Career games with at least 2 touchdown passes: 157
• Career games with at least 3 touchdown passes: 71^[51]
• Career games with at least 4 touchdown passes: 23^[108]
• Career games with at least 200 passing yards: 202
• (2nd) Career games with at least 300 passing yards: 61 (Dan Marino is 1st with 63)
• One of 11 quarterbacks to throw a 99 yard TD pass (longest possible pass)
• Touchdown passes of 80+ yards: 9
• Touchdown passes of 70+ yards: 15
• Touchdown passes of 20+ yards: 165
• 1 yard touchdown passes: 37
• 1 yard touchdown passes, passer/receiver combination: 8, Brett Favre/Bubba Franks
• Career games with at least 30 completions: 24 (Peyton Manning is 2nd with 18)
• Career games with at least 20 completions: 185 (Peyton Manning is 2nd with 138)
• Completions in a game played on a Friday: 30; 12/24/2004
• Seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes: 15
• Seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes: 9
• Consecutive seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes: 5
• Seasons with at least 35 touchdown passes: 3
• Consecutive seasons with at least 35 touchdown passes: 3
• Seasons with at least 3,000 passing yards: 18
• Consecutive seasons with at least 3,000 passing yards: 18
• Seasons with at least 300 completions: 18
• Consecutive seasons with at least 300 completions: 18
• Brett Favre & Sterling Sharpe tied Dan Marino & Mark Clayton’s record for most passer/receiver touchdown combinations in a season in 1994: 18-broken by Tom Brady and Randy Moss(23) in 2007.
• Most consecutive AP NFL MVP awards: 3 (1995–1997)^[109]
• Career playoff pass completions: 481^[110]
• Career playoff pass attempts: 791^[110]
• Career playoff passing yards: 5,855^[110]
• (2nd) Career playoff passing touchdowns: 44^[110] (Montana, 45)^[111]
• Career playoff interceptions thrown: 30
• Career playoff losses as starting QB: 11
• (5th) Career playoff wins as starting QB: 13 (Joe Montana, 16; Tom Brady, 14; Terry Bradshaw, 14; John Elway, 14)
• Games played by a starting quarterback against one opponent in a calendar year: 5 games against the Detroit Lions in 1994; 1/2/94(game 16 of the 1993 season), 1/8/94(playoff game), 11/6/94, 12/4/94, 12/31/94(playoff game)
• Longest gap between receptions: 17 years & 4 weeks (275 games)

Favre is the only quarterback to have led a team to victory over all thirty-two teams in the league since the NFL first expanded to 32 franchises in 2002.^[50][112]

Favre is one of four quarterbacks to lead the league in touchdown passes four times. The others are Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson and Steve Young.^[113] In addition, Favre owns a number of team records, having printed his name into almost every passing category in the annals of Green Bay Packers history. Most recently, he set the team record for consecutive completions with 20 on November 22, 2007, against the Detroit Lions.^[114]

Favre is also the first known player to be a grandfather while active in the NFL.

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 has never missed a game.^[115] He is currently in first place for the most consecutive starts by a quarterback in the NFL and one of only five quarterbacks to have started over 100 consecutive games in NFL history. He failed to finish a game due to injury on only six occasions since taking control of the Packers as quarterback.^[116] Besides Favre, there is only one other active streak of 100 or more games among quarterbacks, that of Peyton Manning. Since the beginning of Favre’s consecutive start streak, 212 other quarterbacks have started in the NFL,^[117][118] 12 of them being back-ups to Favre at one point.^[115] Among his former backups are: Don Majkowski, Ty Detmer, Kurt Warner, Mark Brunell, Steve Bono, Doug Pederson, Matt Hasselbeck, Danny Wuerffel, Aaron Brooks, J.T. O’Sullivan, and current Packers starter Aaron Rodgers. Two veteran backups to Favre never started another NFL game: Jim McMahon, and T.J. Rubley. 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”.^[119]

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.^[120]

Personal life

Favre married Deanna Tynes on July 14, 1996. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church.^[121] Together they have two daughters, Brittany (born 1989) and Breleigh (born 1999). A grandson, Parker Brett, was born on April 2, 2010.^[122] The NFL has stated that it knew of no other grandfathers among current NFL players.

Favre’s mother, Bonita, helps manage his holdings in agriculture and real estate, handle his endorsements and appearances and oversee his charity work.^[123] 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.^[124]

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.^[125]

The Favre family also owns and operates the Brett Favre’s Steakhouse, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.^[126]

Favre made a cameo appearance in the 1998 romantic comedy film There’s Something About Mary as Cameron Diaz‘s character’s love interest.

Favre is a spokesperson for many products, including Snapper Inc., Wrangler Jeans and Sears. In the Sears ads, Favre pokes fun at himself for his constant waffling between retirement and continuing his playing career by debating whether or not to buy a plasma screen TV, saying “I’ll take it… Nah, I don’t know” in one ad in in another has a conversation with a Blue Crew associate who says of the TV, “some guys just can’t make up their minds” to which Favre replies “Yeah, I hate those guys.” In a Hyundai commercial with a similar theme, he accepts the 2020 NFL MVP award, with fully gray hair, saying “When you’re playing at 50, and you’re older than the fans, coaches, and owners, well… I should probably retire after this… But I don’t know.”^[127]

On April 2, 2010, Favre set another record, this time off the field, as his daughter, Brittany Favre, gave birth to Parker Brett, making Brett Favre the first ever grandfather active in the NFL, as he is still in the NFL on the Minnesota Vikings roster.