 Favre atSuper Bowl 50 in 2016 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1969-10-10)October 10, 1969 (age 56) Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 222 lb (101 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Hancock North Central (Kiln, Mississippi) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Southern Miss (1987–1990) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1991: 2nd round, 33rd overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||
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Brett Lorenzo Favre (/fɑːrv/ ⓘFARV; born October 10, 1969) is an American former professionalfootballquarterback who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with theGreen Bay Packers. Favre had 321 consecutive starts from 1992 to 2010, including 297 regular season games, themost in league history. He was also the first NFL quarterback to obtain 70,000 yards, 10,000 passes, 6,000 completions, 500 touchdowns, and victories over all 32 teams.
Favre playedcollege football for theSouthern Mississippi Golden Eagles and was selected in the second round of the1991 NFL draft by theAtlanta Falcons, where he spent one season as a backup. Traded to the Packers, he became their starter early in the 1992 season and revitalized a franchise that had been in a period of decline since the late 1960s. During his 16 seasons with Green Bay, he led the team to 11 playoff appearances, seven division titles, fourNFC Championship Games, two consecutiveSuper Bowl appearances, and one championship title inSuper Bowl XXXI, the team's first in nearly three decades. Favre was traded in 2008 to theNew York Jets, where he played one year, and spent his final two seasons with theMinnesota Vikings. His 2009 campaign for the Vikings saw him guide them to a division title and NFC Championship Game appearance, while having one of his strongest statistical seasons.
At the time of his retirement, Favre was the NFL leader inpassing completions, passing attempts,passing yards,passing touchdowns, andquarterback wins, andholds the record for interceptions.[1] From 1995 to 1997, he was namedMost Valuable Player three times, the most the award was consecutively received. Favre also received 11Pro Bowl and three first-teamAll-Pro selections. He was inducted to thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
In 2022, Favre began to face controversy for theMississippi welfare funds scandal after investigations determined $8 million intended for welfare programs went to Favre or causes he championed.[2] Favre has denied the allegations and filed adefamation lawsuit against theState Auditor of Mississippi and two media personalities over their coverage of him.[3]
Brett Favre was born inGulfport, Mississippi, the son of Bonita Ann (née French) and Irvin Ernest Favre,[4] and raised in the small town ofKiln. Both of his parents were schoolteachers in theHancock County School District. He is of partFrench ancestry. One of his ancestors isSimon Favre, aLouisiana Creole[5][6] and an influential figure inSpanish West Florida in the late 18th and early 19th centuries; Brett descends from Simon'sChoctawNative American mistress, Pistikiokonay, and thus his grandfather was affiliated with the Choctaw.[7][8]
Brett was the second of four children and attendedHancock North Central High School, where he playedbaseball andfootball.[9] Favre started for the Hancock North Central baseball team as an eighth-grader and earned five varsity letters.[10] He playedquarterback,lineman,strong safety,placekicker, andpunter in a primarilyoption, run-oriented offense coached by his father, Irvin Favre, who was the head coach of the Hawks football team.[11]
Irvin Favre said he knew his son had a great arm but also knew that the school had goodrunning backs. As a result, in the three years Brett was on the team, his father ran thewishbone, a run-oriented offense. Favre rarely threw more than five passes in a game.[12]Southern Mississippi assistant coach Mark McHale, who was scouting new football recruits for the school, watched Favre play during a Hancock North Central football game after receiving recommendation from many nearby coaches.[13] McHale, observing Favre mostly hand the ball off in running plays in the two games he watched, was set on leaving when he suddenly saw Favre throw the ball in such a captivating way that he later described it by saying the ball "had smoke and flames coming off it".[13]
After high school, Southern Mississippi offered Favre a football scholarship at the urging of assistant coach McHale, which was the only one he received.[13] Southern Miss wanted him to playdefensive 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 againstTulane 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.[14] Favre started ten games during his freshman year and won six of them.[15]
In his junior season, Favre led theGolden Eagles to an upset of #6Florida State on September 2, 1989. Favre capped a six-and-a-half-minute drive with the game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds remaining.[14]
On July 14, 1990, before the start of Favre's senior year atSouthern Miss, he was involved in a nearly 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 and rushed to the hospital. In theambulance, 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'ssmall intestine. Eight weeks after this incident, on September 8, Favre led Southern Miss to a comeback victory overAlabama.[16] Alabama coachGene 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."[17]
Favre formerly held several Southern Miss football records until most were surpassed byAustin Davis by the end of the2011 season.[18] Favre had 15 games over his career where he compiled more than 200 passing yards, making him fourth in school history on the all–time list 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.[19]
Favre earned a teaching degree with an emphasis inspecial education from the University of Southern Mississippi.[20]
| Season | Team | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 1987 | Southern Miss | 79 | 194 | 40.7 | 1,264 | 6.5 | 15 | 13 | 107.6 | 57 | 169 | 3.0 | 1 |
| 1988 | Southern Miss | 178 | 319 | 55.8 | 2,271 | 7.1 | 16 | 5 | 129.0 | 51 | −15 | −0.3 | 0 |
| 1989 | Southern Miss | 206 | 381 | 54.1 | 2,588 | 6.8 | 14 | 10 | 118.0 | 43 | −25 | −0.6 | 0 |
| 1990 | Southern Miss | 150 | 275 | 54.5 | 1,572 | 5.7 | 7 | 6 | 106.6 | 42 | −218 | −5.2 | 0 |
| Career | 613 | 1,169 | 52.4 | 7,695 | 6.6 | 52 | 34 | 116.6 | 193 | −89 | −0.5 | 1 | |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wonderlic | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | 31 in (0.79 m) | 10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) | 22 | ||||||||
| All values fromNFL Combine[21] | ||||||||||||
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Favre was selected by theAtlanta Falcons in the second round with the 33rd overall pick in the1991 NFL draft.[23] On July 19, 1991, Favre agreed to a three-year, US$1.4 million contract with a reported signing bonus of $350,000.[24] Atlanta head coachJerry Glanville did not approve of the drafting of Favre, saying it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game.[25] Favre's first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown in a week 11 game against theWashington Redskins.[26][27] He only attempted four passes in his one season with Atlanta, going 0 for 4 with 2 interceptions. Favre took one other snap, which resulted in a sack for an eleven-yard loss.[28][29]
On February 11, 1992,Green Bay Packers general managerRon Wolf traded the first-round pick his team had received from the Philadelphia Eagles (17th overall) in a trade the previous year to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Favre. Wolf, while an assistant to the general manager of theNew York Jets, had intended to take Favre in the 1991 NFL Draft, but Favre was taken by the Falcons on the previous pick.[25][27]
According to theMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel and other sources, during the physical after the trade, Favre was diagnosed withavascular necrosis of the hip, the same degenerative condition that ended running backBo Jackson's football career, and doctors recommended his physical be failed, which would nullify the trade. Wolf overruled them.[27][30]
Favre played 16 seasons in Green Bay. During his time with the Packers, Favre was the first and only NFL player to win three consecutive AP MVP awards.[31] He helped the Packers appear in two Super Bowls, winningSuper Bowl XXXI and losingSuper Bowl XXXII. Favre started every Packers game from September 20, 1992, to January 20, 2008,[32] a streak of 253 games. The record would continue after he left the Packers, reaching 297 games in the regular season. This remains the all-time record for consecutive starts in the NFL.[33]
In the second game of the1992 season, thePackers played theTampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers were leading 17–0 at halftime, when head coachMike Holmgren benched starting quarterbackDon Majkowski and Favre played the second half. On his first regular season play as a Packer, Favre threw a pass that was deflected by Buccaneers playerRay Seals and caught by Favre.[27][34] Favre was tackled and the completion went for −7 yards. The Packers lost the game 31–3, chalking up only 106 yards passing.[35][36] The following week, Majkowski injured a ligament in his ankle against theCincinnati Bengals, an injury severe enough that he would be out for four weeks. Favre replaced Majkowski for the remainder of the game. Favre fumbled four times during the course of the game,[36] 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.[37] However, down 23–17 with 1:07 left in the game, the Packers started an offensive series on their own 8-yard line. Favre then completed a 42-yard pass to wide receiverSterling Sharpe. Three plays later, Favre threw the game–winning touchdown pass to wide receiverKitrick Taylor with 13 seconds remaining.[27][36][38] Favre would go on to keep the starting job for the rest of his tenure in Green Bay. The next week's game against thePittsburgh Steelers started the longest consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history. The game ended in a 17–3 victory and Favre finished with apasser rating of 144.6 by going 14-of-19 for 210 yards and two touchdowns.[39] During the season, Favre helped put together a six-game winning streak for the Packers, the longest winning streak for the club since1965. In the winning streak was a 38–10 victory over theDetroit Lions in week 14, where Favre was 15-of-19 for 214 yards and three touchdowns to give him a 153.2 passer rating.[40] They ended 9–7 that season, missing the playoffs on their last game, a 27–7 loss to theMinnesota Vikings.[41][42] Favre finished his first season as a Packer with 3,227 yards and a quarterback rating of 85.3, helping him to his firstPro Bowl.[43]
Thefollowing season, Favre helped thePackers to theirfirst playoff berth since 1982 and was named to his secondPro Bowl. Favre had his first career 400-yard passing game in week 14 against theChicago Bears in a 30–17 loss.[44] He led theNFC in pass attempts, pass completions, and pass interceptions. Favre also had four game winning drives giving him seven for his career up to that point.[45][46] In theWild Card Round against theDetroit Lions, he had 204 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in his playoff debut, a 28–24 win.[47] In the following game in theDivisional Round, Favre had 331 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 27–17 loss to theDallas Cowboys.[48] After the season, Favre became a free agent. General manager Ron Wolf negotiated Favre into a five-year, $19 million contract.[49]
ThePackers finished the1994 season with a 9–7 record, advancing to theplayoffs in back to back years, a feat they had not accomplished since theVince Lombardi era.[50] After a victory over theDetroit Lions in theWild Card Round, Favre and Packers fell to theDallas Cowboys in theDivisional Round.[51][52]
In 1995, Favre won the first of his three AP MVP awards. Favre led thePackers to an 11–5 record, Green Bay's best record in nearly thirty years.[53] 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.[54] Favre also tied an NFL record bypassing for at least two touchdowns in twelve consecutive games, a feat he accomplished over the 1994–1995 seasons. The Packers advanced to theNFC Championship Game after upsetting theSan Francisco 49ers in theDivisional Round. The Packers lost theNFC Championship to theDallas Cowboys, marking the third year in a row the Packers season was ended by the Cowboys in theplayoffs. Favre helped the Packers advance farther in the playoffs than any other Packer team since 1967, which was the season thePackers last won the championship inSuper Bowl II.[55]
While being treated for various injuries, Favre developed an addiction toVicodin, which became publicly known when he had a seizure following routine ankle surgery in late February.[56][57] 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.[58][59]Favre led thePackers to their best season in 30 years in the1996 season, winning his second consecutive MVP award in the process. The Packers led the NFL in points scored (456) as well as fewest points allowed (210), joining only the1972 Dolphins as the only two teams to ever accomplish this. The defense also set a then NFL record for the fewest touchdowns allowed in a 16-game season with 19. Favre threw for 3,899 yards, a career-high 39 touchdown passes (third highest ever at the time), only 13 interceptions, and passer rating of 95.8 (the third highest of his career). Green Bay tied the Denver Broncos for the NFL's best regular-season record, 13–3, defeated theSan Francisco 49ers (35–14) andCarolina Panthers (30–13) atLambeau Field in theplayoffs. The Packers advanced toSuper Bowl XXXI at theLouisiana Superdome, a short drive from Favre's hometown.[60]
InSuper Bowl XXXI, Favre completed 14-of-27 passes for 246 yards and two touchdown passes. On the second play of the game, Favre called an audible and threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAndre Rison. In addition, Favre completed an 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAntonio Freeman in the second quarter (then a Super Bowl record for longest touchdown catch). Favre rushed for 12 yards and another touchdown, as the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI over theNew England Patriots, 35–21. In their 19 games of the season, the Packers had a turnover differential of plus 24, and outscored their opponents 100–48 in the playoffs.[60]
Favre and thePackers continued their dominance of the NFC during thenext season. Favre was named AP co-MVP of the league along withDetroit Lions' running backBarry Sanders, his third straight award.[61] He finished the season with 3,867 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes, 16 interceptions, and a passer rating of 92.6.[62] The Packers finished with a 13–3 record and became the only team to ever defeat six teams that would go on to make the playoffs.[63][64] Also, Green Bay advanced through theplayoffs to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. After being heavily favored by 11 points, the Packers lost to theDenver Broncos inSuper Bowl XXXII by the score of 31–24 atQualcomm Stadium inSan Diego, ending the NFC's 13-year Super Bowl-winning streak. Denver defeating Green Bay was one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. Favre completed 25-of-42 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception and one fumble in the losing effort.[31] Super Bowl XXXII was Favre's last appearance in a Super Bowl in his career, despite playing for another decade.
Favre led the Packers to an NFL record 29 consecutive home wins (25 regular season, 4 post season) until they were defeated by theMinnesota Vikings onMonday Night Football on October 5, 1998.[65] Favre's record for consecutive regular season home wins stood until2010[66] whenTom Brady led theNew England Patriots to a home victory over theNew York Jets on December 6, 2010.[67] Despite Brady and the Patriots surpassing the regular season mark for consecutive home victories, the combined regular season plus post season mark remains an NFL record for Favre since the Patriots had their combined regular and post season streak interrupted by a home playoff loss to theBaltimore Ravens on January 10, 2010.[68][66]
The Packers lost to theSan Francisco 49ers in theWild Card Round in1998. Favre had rallied the team with a touchdown pass to wide receiverAntonio Freeman with 1:56 remaining in the game to put the Packers up 27–23. However,Steve Young responded with atouchdown of his own to wide receiverTerrell Owens with three seconds remaining to end the Packers season.[69] Favre and the Packers failed for the first time since 1994 to at least reach the NFC Championship.[70]
During the final game of the1999 NFL season, Favre and thePackers were involved in what has been described as abizarre tie-breaking scenario which resulted in four teams that finished with 8–8 records where two of the teams would qualify for the playoffs and the other two would be eliminated. Going into their season finale against theArizona Cardinals, the Packers needed to win their game, have theDallas Cowboys lose their game later that afternoon, and also needed the Packers to win the net points scored tie-breaker versus theCarolina Panthers (who were facing theNew Orleans Saints). The Packers and Panthers were playing during the noon-time slot and the Packers held a net eighteen-point advantage. As the game progressed, the Panthers were winning their game by a sizable margin to the point that they had overtaken the Packers in net points for a brief time. Since both teams were neck and neck for the tie-break advantage, both teams were frantically trying to score as many points as possible despite leading on the scoreboard by a sizable margin. The Cardinals and Saints also tried to score frantically as the game progressed to stop their opponents from gaining the net points advantage. Ultimately, the Packers prevailed in net points by +11. In the end however, the Cowboys won their afternoon contest against theNew York Giants to claim the final playoff spot and thus eliminate the Packers from playoff contention. Over a 26-minute period (from 2:51 pm to 3:17 pm) Favre led the Packers on a 99-yard touchdown drive utilizing ahurry-up offense despite leading their game 35–17 culminating on a 32-yard touchdown pass toBill Schroeder, and then shortly thereafter threw a 43-yard pass down to the one-yard line to set up another score. The Packers won their game 49–24 and the Panthers won their game 45–13.[71]
On March 1, 2001, Favre signed a 10-year contract extension worth around $100 million.[72]
In the regular-season finale of 2001, Favre was the target of minor controversy when, in a game against theNew York Giants atGiants Stadium, he was sacked by the Giants defensive endMichael Strahan. It was Strahan's lone sack of the game and gave him the NFL's single–season sack record of 22.5, which toppedMark Gastineau's record of 22 set in 1984.[73] The controversy, which was from Favre falling over unusually easily, has followed Strahan continuously since he set the record.Jim Fassel, Strahan's coach in 2001, said that when a respected athlete like Strahan gets close to an all-time record, sometimes opponents want him to break it.[74]
By the end of his tenth year in the league as a starter, Favre had thrown 287 touchdown passes, which was more than 100 touchdown passes than the second-ranked quarterback over the same time period (Steve Young, 181 touchdown passes),[75] an NFL record for touchdown pass differential.[76][77][78][79]
Favre and the Packers continued posting positive results through the next few seasons, making the playoffs in both2002 and2003 and finishing with 12–4 and 10–6 records. However, they did suffer their first home playoff loss in2002 at the hands of theAtlanta Falcons, anda heartbreaking playoff loss to theEagles in 2003. Through the 2004 season, the Packers had the longest streak of non-losing seasons (13) in the NFL, despite an 8–8 record under head coachRay Rhodes, a 9–7 season under head coachMike Sherman, and no playoff berths in either 1999 or 2000. The streak ended in 2005, with the Packers finishing with a 4–12 record.[80]
One day after his father died of aheart attack orstroke,[81] Favre decided to play in aDecember 22, 2003,Monday Night Football game against theOakland Raiders. The Packers traveled toOakland 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 apasser rating of 154.9,[82] having recorded a perfect 158.3 rating with four touchdowns and over 250 yards passing by halftime.[83] 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."[84] After the game, he went to his father's funeral inPass Christian, Mississippi. Favre won anESPY Award for hisMonday Night Football performance.[85][86][87]
A notable game in the2004 season in which Favre and the Packers finished 10–6 was against theNew 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 toJavon Walker on a fourth-down play. Afterwards it was reported that Favre did not remember throwing the touchdown pass.[88] Favre also had two significant touchdown streaks of note during the season. He had completedat 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.[89] Also, during the 2004 post-season, he brokeDan Marino's record forconsecutive games with at least one touchdown pass in the post season.[90] The Packers' postseason run ended in theWild Card Round with a loss to theMinnesota Vikings.[91]
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 anall-terrain vehicle accident on Favre'sMississippi property.[92]
Soon after in 2004, Favre's wife,Deanna Favre, was diagnosed withbreast 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.[92]
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.[93] Brett and Deanna's property inHattiesburg, Mississippi, was also extensively damaged by the storm.[94] Favre elected to continue to play in the 2005 season.
For the2005 season, 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 guardsMarco Rivera andMike Wahle tofree agency along with key injuries toJavon 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.[95] After the disappointing season, many speculated that Favre would retire.[96] 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.[97]
In the2006 season, Favre suffered his first careershutout against theChicago Bears in a 26–0 loss in week 1.[98] Later in the season, theNew England Patriots shut out the Packers in a game where he was injured before halftime and could not complete the game.[99][100] On September 24, he became just the second quarterback in NFL history to record 400 touchdown passes (Dan Marino being the first). He connected with rookie wide receiverGreg Jennings on a 5-yard pass that Jennings turned into a 75-yard touchdown play during a win against theDetroit Lions.[101] He became the first player ever to complete 5,000 passes in his career.[102] On December 31, 2006, the Packers played their last game of the season, winning 26–7 in the second game against the Chicago Bears.[103] It was his 22nd career win versus the Bears, moving him to an all-time record of 22–8.[104] Overall, Favre finished the 2006 season with 3,885 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions as the Packers finished with an 8–8 record.[105][106]
On February 26, 2007, Favre underwent minor arthroscopic ankle surgery inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, to remove a buildup ofbone spurs in his left ankle.[107]
Favre began the2007 season trailing in a number of career NFL passing records. On September 16, 2007, Favre and thePackers defeated theNew York Giants to give Favre his record setting 149th win, passingJohn Elway.[108][109] On September 30, Favre threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverGreg Jennings in a game against theVikings.[110] This was his 421st NFL touchdown pass, and set a new all-time record, surpassingDan Marino's 420.[111]
On November 4, 2007, after the Packers defeated theKansas City Chiefs 33–22, Favre became only the third quarterback to have defeated all 31 other current NFL teams.[112][113] He joinedPeyton Manning andTom Brady as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to do this, just the week after the two of them achieved the accomplishment.[114] OnThanksgiving 2007, Favre led the Packers to a 37–26 win over theLions, and brought the Packers to a 10–1 record.[115] He won the Galloping Gobbler award, given by the broadcasters at Fox to the game's MVP. Favre threw three touchdown passes for his 63rd career game with at least three touchdowns, surpassing Marino's former record of 62.[116]
Favre led the Packers to a 13–3 regular season record, theNFC North championship, and the second seed in theNFC playoffs.[117] Prior to the Packers' Divisional Round game against theSeattle Seahawks, Favre stated his desire to continue playing football for another season.[118] In theDivisional Playoffs, Favre threw three touchdowns as the Packers cruised to a 42–20 victory over the Seahawks ata snowy Lambeau Field.[119] The Packers' season ended the following week when they suffered a 23–20 overtime loss in theNFC Championship Game to theNew York Giants (who in turn upset the heavily favored and previously undefeatedNew England Patriots inSuper Bowl XLII).[120] 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 wide receiverDonald 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.[121] 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 the2008 Pro Bowl as the starting quarterback for the NFC, but an ankle injury forced him to withdraw from the game.[122]
Beginning near the end of the 2006 season, word began to surface that Favre was considering retirement. In fact, playing atSoldier 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.[123] Moments later at the postgame interview, he gave a tearful interview with anNBC Sports correspondent, where he admitted his future was still questionable. However, after much debate, he returned for the 2007 season, 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 talentedAaron Rodgers, who was drafted two years earlier as Favre'sheir-apparent. Ultimately, the Packers fell in the NFC Championship to theNew York Giants.
According to Bob McGinn in theJournal Sentinel, after the conclusion of the 2007 season, "Just about everyone who counted in the football department reached the conclusion that Favre could never win another championship. His dismal playoff record in the past decade couldn't be overlooked. And the Packers concluded that it would be the mother of all mistakes if Aaron Rodgers got away without being properly evaluated as a starter. Favre had one chance, and one chance only, to salvage his career in Green Bay. He had to commit wholeheartedly for another season by early March. One could argue that the Packers erred by asking Favre for an answer that early. But having been hung out to dry by Favre too often in the past, they were in no mood for drama." There was also miscommunication between the Packers and Favre, as admitted by General ManagerTed Thompson, "when Favre decided in March that he was leaning toward playing, the organization wasn't quick toward embracing him".[124]
On March 4, 2008, Favre formally announced his retirement.[125][126][127] 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 anotherSuper 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. Seeming to contradict statements made by his agent, Bus Cook, Favre said 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."[127]
On July 2, 2008, it was reported that Favre was in contact with the Packers about a possible return to the team.[128] 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.[129] Packers general managerTed Thompson announced he would not grant Favre an unconditional release[130] and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to Aaron Rodgers as its new quarterback.[131] 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.[132]
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his potential comeback in a July 14, 2008, interview withGreta Van Susteren on theFox News Channel'sOn 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 theNFL draft and the start of thefree agent signing period.[133] 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.[134]
In the second part of the interview, which aired on July 15, Favre expressed his frustration with Packers management, spoke of his sympathy for successor Aaron Rodgers's predicament, and affirmed he is 100 percent committed to playing football in 2008.[135]
FOXSports.com'sJay Glazer reported on July 16, 2008, that the Packers filed tampering charges against theMinnesota Vikings with the league office, alleging improper communication between Vikings offensive coordinatorDarrell Bevell and Favre,[136] although one source suggested that Favre may have been in contact with Vikings head coachBrad Childress.[137] After an investigation,NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell ruled there had been no violation of tampering rules.[138]
Packers team president Mark Murphy met with Favre on July 30 in Hattiesburg, Miss. with the offer of a $20 million marketing agreement, which was "viewed nationally as a bribe to get Favre to stay retired".[124]
Favre formally filed for reinstatement with the NFL on July 29, 2008, and his petition was granted by Commissioner Goodell, effective August 4, 2008.[139] Favre then flew to Green Bay to report to Packers training camp. After a lengthy meeting with head coachMike 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 Packers management had deteriorated to the point that a return to the team would be untenable.[140]
The Packers had announced plans to retire Favre's #4 jersey in the 2008 season opener.[141] Those plans were dropped when he announced plans to return to the NFL. In March 2009, the Packers indicated that the team still intends to retire Favre's number, but due to the circumstances surrounding his departure from the team, no timeline had been set.[142] Favre's #4 jersey was finally retired in 2015.[143]
After negotiations with both theTampa Bay Buccaneers andNew York Jets,[144] the Packers traded Favre to the Jets on August 7, 2008, in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the2009 NFL draft with performance escalation.[145]
In his Jets debut, Favre passed for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 20–14 victory over theMiami Dolphins.[146] In week 4, he threw six touchdowns against theArizona Cardinals, a personal best and one shy of the NFL record for a single game.[147] This performance led to him being selected as theFedEx Air Player of the Week. By week 12, the Jets had compiled an 8–3 record, including a 34–13 win over the previously undefeatedTennessee Titans.[148] However, the Jets lost four of the last five games of the season, including the final game against the Miami Dolphins, who had acquired quarterbackChad Pennington after he was released from the Jets to make room for Favre.[149] In those five games, Favre threw eight interceptions and only two touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 22 of each.[150] Favre had complained of shoulder pain and had anMRI performed on December 29, 2008, which revealed a torn biceps tendon in his right shoulder.[151] After the 2008 season had ended, in mid January 2009, Favre told JetsGeneral ManagerMike Tannenbaum, "it may be time to look in a different direction" regarding the quarterback position.[152] On February 11, 2009, Favre informed the Jets that he was retiring after 18 seasons.[153] He remained part of the 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.[154] In September 2009, it was revealed that the NFL learned that the Jets were aware that Favre injured his arm in the 11th game of the 2008 season, and fined the Jets $125,000 for not reporting the injury in any of the Jets' five final games.[155]
After an offseason of speculation, Favre officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 18, 2009.[156] He made his Vikings debut in the season opener against theCleveland Browns. In the 34–20 victory, he passed for 110 yards and one passing touchdown.[157] In week 4, Favre had his first game against his former team. In the home game against theGreen Bay Packers, he had 271 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the 30–23 victory.[158] With the victory over the Packers, he 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.[159][160] Favre helped lead the Vikings to a 6–0 start going into week 7. The Vikings suffered their first setback against thePittsburgh Steelers in a 27–17 loss.[161] Week 8 was a significant one for Favre as he faced off against the Packers at Lambeau Field for his first game returning to Green Bay.[162] He passed for 244 yards and four passing touchdowns in the 38–26 victory.[163] In a week 12 victory over theChicago Bears, he passed for a season-high 392 yards and three touchdowns in the 36–10 victory.[164] In the regular season finale, he passed for 316 yards and four touchdowns in the 44–7 victory over theNew York Giants.[165] Favre finished the 2009 season with 4,202 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.[166] Overall, Favre had a landmark season in which he surpassed former Vikings defensive endJim Marshall for consecutive starts at one position, with 291,[167] and surpassed Dan Marino's previous record for four-touchdown games, and was named to his11th Pro Bowl.[168] The Vikings finished with a 12–4 record and earned a first-round bye.[169]
In theDivisional Round against theDallas Cowboys, he recorded 234 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in the 34–3 victory.[170] They advanced to theNFC Championship, ultimately losing in overtime to the eventualSuper Bowl XLIV championNew Orleans Saints.[171] He passed for 316 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the 31–28 loss. Despite the loss, Favre set playoff records for pass completions and passing yards previously held byJoe Montana.[172] Late in the 4th quarter, with the score tied at 28 all, the Vikings were just within range of a game-clinching field goal but Favre's pass was intercepted byTracy Porter. The game was also notable for the Saints' defense hitting Favre numerous times, which some suggesting that the Saints had placed abounty upon Favre, and although no penalty was called on one such play the NFL vice president of officiatingMike Pereira said one should have been called, saying it was "the type of hit we don't want."[173]
On August 3, 2010, NBC Sports reported the confirmation of Favre returning to the Vikings but saying that the 2010 season would be his final season.[174] An announcement was given on August 17, 2010, confirming his return to the team.[175] That season, Favre achieved two milestones. He threw for his 500th touchdown and 70,000th yard against theNew York Jets.[176] On November 7, 2010, in a game against theArizona Cardinals, Favre threw for a career-high 446 yards while rallying the Vikings from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to win in overtime.[177] On December 5, 2010, in a game against theBuffalo Bills, Favre was hit by Bills linebackerArthur Moats while making a throw, causing him to sustain a sprain of theAC joint in his right shoulder.[178] Favre missed the rest of the game and was replaced byTarvaris Jackson, who helped lead the Vikings to victory despite throwing three interceptions.[179]
On December 13, 2010, due to his sprained shoulder, Favre was marked inactive for the game against theNew York Giants ending his consecutive regular-season start streak at 297.[180] Favre started a total of 321 games including post-season appearances.[181] On December 20, 2010, while playing theChicago Bears outside atTCF Bank Stadium due to the collapse of the roof of theHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Favre sustained aconcussion after being sacked by Bears defensive endCorey Wootton. As a rattled Favre was helped to his feet by Vikings' athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, he asked, "Suge, what are the Bears doing here?".[182] This would be his final appearance in an NFL game.
On January 2, 2011, Favre was unable to play against theDetroit Lions in the final game of the regular NFL season due to his inability to pass NFL-mandated post-concussion tests.[183] 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.[184]
Favre was a heavy drinker, which at one point led his wife Deanna to consult divorce lawyers.[185] In 1999 he checked himself into rehab and later quit drinking.
In 2013, Favre was asked to consider returning to the NFL to play for the injury-plaguedSt. Louis Rams.[186] He turned down the offer, tellingWSPZ radio inWashington, D.C., that he has had memory loss and that he feared it was related to the multipleconcussions he suffered throughout his career. He was previously asked in a 2009 interview withNBC how many times he had played with a concussion that with the new standards would have resulted in him sitting out. 'A lot', he replied.[186]
In 2021, Favre was featured in a public service announcement (PSA) urging parents not to allow their children to play tackle football under age 14. In an interview withToday, Favre stated that while he is in good health, he often questions how healthy he really is due to fears about the long-term effects of his playing career and that he is unsure whether the cognitive lapses he sometimes experiences are a natural effect of his advancing age or a sign that he may havechronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[187]
On September 24, 2024, while testifying to Congress about his potential misuse of taxpayer money, Favre revealed he had been diagnosed withParkinson's disease.[188][189]
Favre was the analyst for his alma mater, Southern Miss, when they played theRice Owls on October 1, 2011.[190] He later joined theNFL Network for pregame coverage ofSuper Bowl XLVII.[191] It has also been reported that Favre has turned down repeated offers from the NFL Network to become an on-air analyst.[192]
Favre has received several awards[193] including:
Favre owns several NFL records including, but not limited to:[65][75][78][79][90][193][202][203]
Favre owns a number of team records with the Packers, Vikings, and Jets, including having printed his name into almost every passing category in the annals ofGreen Bay Packers history.[193]
Favre is the holder of several firsts in NFL history, including the only quarterback to win three consecutive NFL most valuable player awards, first quarterback to defeat all of the league's 32 franchises, and the first quarterback to win a playoff game over age 40.[205]
In addition, Favre set a number of college records withSouthern Mississippi.[206]
Favre has been known as the most successful cold weather quarterback of all time,[207] having compiled a record of 44–17 in games when the game time temperature was below 40 degreesFahrenheit.[208][209] He had gained the reputation[210] for success in cold weather when the Packers won with Favre as the starter in his first 35 games at home when the game time temperature was 34 degrees Fahrenheit or less.[203][211][212][213][214]
Brett Favre had significant stretches of success against hisdivision rivals having won an NFL record 11 consecutive road games against theChicago Bears,[76][215] and a perfect 19–0 won-lost record against theDetroit Lions at home, also an NFL record.[76][216]
Since first being named the starter of the Green Bay Packers before playing thePittsburgh Steelers on September 27, 1992, Favre had never missed a game spanning over18+1⁄2 consecutive seasons.[217] He holds the record for themost consecutive starts by any player in the NFL with 297 (321 including playoffs), which is one offour quarterback streaks of at least 200 consecutive games in NFL history. Favre has stated that of all the records he set, he is most proud of the consecutive starts accomplishment.[218]
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Favre failed to finish a game due to injury on only eight occasions since taking control of the Packers as quarterback.[219][220][221] Significant injuries suffered by Favre during the streak includes a first-degree shoulder separation, deep thigh bruise, severely bruised left hip, severely sprained left ankle, wind knocked out coupled with coughing up blood, sprained right thumb, right elbow tendinitis, left mid-foot sprain, sprained lateral collateral ligament of the left knee, broken left thumb, softball-sized bruise of the left hamstring, mild concussion, sprained right hand, injured ulnar nerve of the right elbow, bone spurs on the left ankle, torn right biceps, pulled groin, stress fracture of the left ankle coupled with an avulsion fracture of calcaneus, and a sprained sternoclavicular joint of the right shoulder.[222]
During Favre's consecutive starts streak, 238 other quarterbacks have started in the NFL,[223] 17 of them being back-ups to Favre at one point.[217]
ThePro 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".[202]
In 2009, Favre surpassed defensive endJim Marshall for starts at any position with his record-breaking 271st start as a quarterback as the Vikings played theLions.[224] His streak ended at 297, with the last start in the streak coming on December 5, 2010, against theBuffalo Bills. Favre was unable to start the Vikings' December 13 game against theNew York Giants due to ashoulder injury, despite the game being delayed for a day because of the collapse of theMetrodome roof.[223]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| APNFL MVP | |
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| NFL record | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1991 | ATL | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | GB | 15 | 13 | 8–5 | 302 | 471 | 64.1 | 3,227 | 6.9 | 76T | 18 | 13 | 85.3 | 47 | 198 | 4.2 | 19 | 1 | 34 | 208 | 12 | 4 |
| 1993 | GB | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 318 | 522 | 60.9 | 3,303 | 6.3 | 66T | 19 | 24 | 72.2 | 58 | 216 | 3.7 | 27 | 1 | 30 | 199 | 14 | 6 |
| 1994 | GB | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 363 | 582 | 62.4 | 3,882 | 6.7 | 49 | 33 | 14 | 90.7 | 42 | 202 | 4.8 | 36T | 2 | 31 | 188 | 7 | 3 |
| 1995 | GB | 16 | 16 | 11–5 | 359 | 570 | 63.0 | 4,413 | 7.7 | 99T | 38 | 13 | 99.5 | 39 | 181 | 4.6 | 40 | 3 | 33 | 217 | 8 | 4 |
| 1996 | GB | 16 | 16 | 13–3 | 325 | 543 | 59.9 | 3,899 | 7.2 | 80T | 39 | 13 | 95.8 | 49 | 136 | 2.8 | 23 | 2 | 40 | 241 | 11 | 4 |
| 1997 | GB | 16 | 16 | 13–3 | 304 | 513 | 59.3 | 3,867 | 7.5 | 74 | 35 | 16 | 92.6 | 58 | 187 | 3.2 | 16 | 1 | 25 | 176 | 7 | 4 |
| 1998 | GB | 16 | 16 | 11–5 | 347 | 551 | 63.0 | 4,212 | 7.6 | 84T | 31 | 23 | 87.8 | 40 | 133 | 3.3 | 35 | 1 | 38 | 223 | 8 | 2 |
| 1999 | GB | 16 | 16 | 8–8 | 341 | 595 | 57.3 | 4,091 | 6.9 | 74T | 22 | 23 | 74.7 | 28 | 142 | 5.1 | 20 | 0 | 35 | 223 | 9 | 4 |
| 2000 | GB | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 338 | 580 | 58.3 | 3,812 | 6.6 | 67T | 20 | 16 | 78.0 | 27 | 108 | 4.0 | 18 | 0 | 33 | 236 | 9 | 5 |
| 2001 | GB | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 314 | 510 | 61.6 | 3,921 | 7.7 | 67T | 32 | 15 | 94.1 | 38 | 56 | 1.5 | 14 | 1 | 22 | 151 | 16 | 6 |
| 2002 | GB | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 341 | 551 | 61.9 | 3,658 | 6.6 | 85T | 27 | 16 | 85.6 | 25 | 73 | 2.9 | 17 | 0 | 26 | 188 | 10 | 4 |
| 2003 | GB | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 308 | 471 | 65.4 | 3,361 | 7.1 | 66T | 32 | 21 | 90.4 | 18 | 15 | 0.8 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 137 | 5 | 2 |
| 2004 | GB | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 346 | 540 | 64.1 | 4,088 | 7.6 | 79T | 30 | 17 | 92.4 | 16 | 36 | 2.3 | 17 | 0 | 12 | 93 | 4 | 1 |
| 2005 | GB | 16 | 16 | 4–12 | 372 | 607 | 61.3 | 3,881 | 6.4 | 59 | 20 | 29 | 70.9 | 18 | 62 | 3.4 | 20 | 0 | 24 | 170 | 10 | 7 |
| 2006 | GB | 16 | 16 | 8–8 | 343 | 613 | 56.0 | 3,885 | 6.3 | 82T | 18 | 18 | 72.7 | 23 | 29 | 1.3 | 14 | 1 | 21 | 134 | 8 | 5 |
| 2007 | GB | 16 | 16 | 13–3 | 356 | 535 | 66.5 | 4,155 | 7.8 | 82T | 28 | 15 | 95.7 | 29 | 12 | 0.4 | 21 | 0 | 15 | 93 | 9 | 3 |
| 2008 | NYJ | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 343 | 522 | 65.7 | 3,472 | 6.7 | 56T | 22 | 22 | 81.0 | 21 | 43 | 2.0 | 27 | 1 | 30 | 213 | 10 | 2 |
| 2009 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 363 | 531 | 68.4 | 4,202 | 7.9 | 63 | 33 | 7 | 107.2 | 9 | 7 | 0.8 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 247 | 2 | 2 |
| 2010 | MIN | 13 | 13 | 5–8 | 217 | 358 | 60.6 | 2,509 | 7.0 | 53T | 11 | 19 | 69.9 | 17 | 8 | 0.5 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 139 | 7 | 5 |
| Career | 302 | 298 | 186–112 | 6,300 | 10,169 | 62.0 | 71,838 | 7.1 | 99T | 508 | 336 | 86.0 | 602 | 1,844 | 3.1 | 40 | 14 | 525 | 3,487 | 166 | 73 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1991 | ATL | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | GB | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 43 | 71 | 60.6 | 535 | 7.5 | 48 | 5 | 3 | 89.8 | 4 | 18 | 4.5 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1994 | GB | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 41 | 73 | 56.2 | 473 | 6.5 | 59 | 0 | 1 | 70.2 | 4 | 7 | 1.8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | GB | 3 | 3 | 2–1 | 66 | 102 | 64.7 | 805 | 7.9 | 73 | 8 | 2 | 106.9 | 7 | 7 | 1.0 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | GB | 3 | 3 | 3–0 | 44 | 71 | 62.0 | 617 | 8.7 | 81 | 5 | 1 | 107.5 | 14 | 35 | 2.5 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 60 | 3 | 1 |
| 1997 | GB | 3 | 3 | 2–1 | 56 | 97 | 57.7 | 668 | 6.9 | 40 | 5 | 3 | 83.2 | 7 | −8 | −1.1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 3 | 1 |
| 1998 | GB | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 20 | 35 | 57.1 | 292 | 8.3 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 79.7 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | GB | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 48 | 73 | 65.8 | 550 | 7.5 | 51 | 4 | 7 | 67.0 | 7 | 6 | 0.9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | GB | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 20 | 42 | 47.6 | 247 | 5.9 | 37 | 1 | 2 | 54.4 | 2 | −1 | −0.5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | GB | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 41 | 66 | 62.1 | 499 | 7.6 | 44 | 3 | 1 | 94.2 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | GB | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 22 | 33 | 66.7 | 216 | 6.5 | 28 | 1 | 4 | 55.4 | 3 | 7 | 2.3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | GB | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 37 | 58 | 63.8 | 409 | 7.1 | 90 | 5 | 2 | 99.0 | 1 | −1 | −1.0 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | MIN | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 43 | 70 | 61.4 | 544 | 7.8 | 47 | 5 | 2 | 97.6 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 24 | 24 | 13–11 | 481 | 791 | 60.8 | 5,855 | 7.4 | 90 | 44 | 30 | 86.3 | 52 | 72 | 1.4 | 12 | 1 | 36 | 234 | 11 | 4 | |
Favre had speculated on retiring, or returning to the NFL many times during his career and following the end of his career in 2011:
Favre marriedDeanna Tynes on July 14, 1996. Together, they have two daughters, Brittany (born 1989) and Breleigh (born 1999). While Favre was still playing, Brittany gave birth to his first grandchild.[236] The NFL stated that at the time it did not know of any other active players with grandchildren.[237]
Favre's mother, Bonita, helps manage his holdings in agriculture and real estate, handle his endorsements and appearances, and oversee his charity work.[238] Brett and Bonita Favre released a book in 2004 titledFavre (ISBN 978-1-59071-036-4) which discusses their family as well as theGreen Bay Packers, including theMonday Night Football game that followed the death of Brett's father Irvin Favre.[239]
Favre's nephew, Dylan, played quarterback for theCedar Rapids Titans of theIndoor Football League in 2016 after playing in college atMississippi State,Pearl River Community College, and theUniversity of Tennessee-Martin.[240]
In 2012, Favre became the offensive coordinator forOak Grove High School.[241] Favre won his first game as part of the Oak Grove coaching staff by a score of 64–6.[242] In December 2013, with Favre still serving as the offensive coordinator, Oak Grove High School won the Class 6A Mississippi high school state championship.[243] In May 2014, it was announced that Favre would continue to help out at Oak Grove but would no longer be offensive coordinator.[244]
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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.[245]
Favre is involved with youth who are ill. Favre was awarded theChris Greicius Celebrity Award from theMake a Wish Foundation.[246] He is also known to respond to requests made to his foundation regarding youth with serious illnesses such as cancer.[citation needed]
In 1999, Favre worked withNASCAR driverDale Jarrett to operateJarrett/Favre Motorsports in theBusch Series, which lasted two seasons.[247]
The Favre family once owned and operated theBrett Favre's Steakhouse and later changed names to the "Hall of Fame Chophouse", located inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, and as of 2018 is closed.[248][249]
In 2013, Favre joined the Board of Directors of Sqor, a sport social media platform. Favre's role includes product ambassador, sports insights, and advising Sqor on business interests with teams, leagues and sports conferences.[250]
Favre made a cameo appearance in the 1998romantic comedy filmThere's Something About Mary asCameron Diaz's character's former love interest.[251][252]
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In the past, Favre has been a spokesperson for multiple companies, includingNike,Snapper,Remington,Sears,Prilosec,Sensodyne,MasterCard,Wrangler, Bergstrom Automotive, andHyundai.[253] He has appeared in television advertisements for Copper Fit.[254]
Prior to the Mississippirunoff election on June 24, 2014, Favre endorsed incumbentRepublicanU.S. SenatorThad Cochran inhis successful re-election campaign against Republican primary opponentState SenatorChris McDaniel, a "tea party" favorite.[255] Favre has stated that he does not identify with a specific political party.[citation needed]
For the2020 United States presidential election, Favre endorsed PresidentDonald Trump for re-election.[256] In a 2023 interview withJason Whitlock, Favre also said that Trump 'had the country in a better place', while questioning PresidentJoe Biden and his leadership.[257] He accompanied Trump at a campaign event in Wisconsin for the2024 election.[258]
Favre is aRoman Catholic; he credits his faith for helping him face adversity throughout his life.[259][260][261]
In 2024, at a Congressional hearing, Favre announced that he had been diagnosed withParkinson's Disease.[262]
 | This"criticism" or "controversy" sectionmay compromise the article'sneutrality. Please helpintegrate negative information into other sections or removeundue focus on minor aspects throughdiscussion on thetalk page.(April 2025) |
In 1996, Favre was temporarily banned by the NFL from drinkingalcohol,[263] after he admitted he was addicted toVicodin,[264] and spent 46 days at a drug rehab clinic before the start of the season.[265] His condition was serious enough that he had a potentially deadly seizure.[266]
In 2010, the NFL investigated Favre for allegedlysexting and leaving inappropriate voice messages for Jets "Gameday host"Jenn Sterger during the 2008 season.[267][268] According to the NFL,forensic analysis failed to prove Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger.[269] Favre was found not to be in violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy, but was fined $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation.[269]
In 2020, Favre's involvement with the development and promotion of a concussion treatment drug, Prevasol, by the Prevacus corporation, came under scrutiny. The nonprofit Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) received $2.5 million in federal grant funds diverted from Mississippi'sTemporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare funds (TANF), as well as tens of millions in public funds as an element of the scheme. The Mississippi state auditor has termed the scheme "the largest public embezzlement case in state history". A grand jury inHinds County indicted MCEC founder, Nancy New, and her son Zach in the scheme. Favre had introduced MCEC's founders to top state welfare officials.[270] Former GovernorPhil Bryant is also involved in the scandal.[271]
On May 4, 2020, an audit in Favre's home state of Mississippi alleged that the state's Department of Human Services misspent $94 million intended for at-need residents, including $1.1 million paid out to Favre's company for two speaking appearances he did not make.[272] The Mississippi auditor later announced that Favre intended to repay that money.[273] On October 12, 2021, the Mississippi State Auditor notified Favre that he could face a civil lawsuit if he did not pay the state $828,000.[274] Favre paid $600,000 on October 26, 2021.[275] The Mississippi State Auditor said Favre still owed $228,000 in interest and referred the matter to the state attorney general's office.[276][277][278] Favre was questioned by theFBI over the misappropriated funds. His lawyer has stated that Favre did not know the money was misappropriated from funds used to assist poor families and has not been charged with a crime in these matters.[279][280]
A lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi alleges Favre orchestrated the diversion of federal welfare funds to non-welfare related causes.[281]
On September 13, 2022,Mississippi Today published text messages between Favre and former Mississippi governorPhil Bryant showing Favre's involvement in a plan to divert $5 million of the money toward a cause championed by Favre, a new volleyball facility at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater and where his daughter played volleyball.[282] The text messages had been entered as evidence as part of a civil lawsuit.[283] In one of the texts, Favre asks, "If you were to pay me is there anyway the media can find out where it came from and how much?"[284]
Favre helped arrange for $2 million of the funds to be invested in a biotech startup in which he had already invested.[281]
In August 2023, theMississippi Supreme Court ordered for Favre to stand as a defendant in the welfare funds lawsuit.[285] On December 11, 2023, Favre took part in adeposition, with attorneys for the State of Mississippi interrogating him for more than nine hours.[286]
The month-long saga has finally come to an end, with the Packers agreeing to trade their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York Jets, FOXSports.com has learned.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
