BRETT FAVRE

HALL OF FAME CAREER

A retrospective look at the hall of fame career of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

Early Career

Brett Favre’s path to the Packers went through Atlanta. Packers general manager Ron Wolf had scouted Favre for the 1991 draft, and was going to pick him as GM of the New York Jets the year before, but was trumped by the Falcons one pick before. When Wolf came to Green Bay, he knew he wanted to get a quarterback he felt could take the Packers back to the Super Bowl, so he traded away a first round pick to get Favre.

Favre got his chance in week three of the 1992 season when Don Majkowski broke his ankle and Favre led the team to a comeback win against Cincinnati. Favre also started a consecutive games streak that would reach legendary proportions, playing through many injuries to start 297 straight regular season games.

Career Moments
From L to R
1. Personal struggles - Favre talks to the media about his recent stay at the Menninger Clinic for drug rehabilitation while head coach Mike Holmgren watches during a news conference in 1996.  2. Meeting the president - President Clinton takes a moment to chat privately with Favre during a visit to Lambeau Field in 1996. Favre recently fought drug addiction as did Clinton's brother Roger.  3. Emotional game - Favre is escorted off the field with his wife, Deanna, after the Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 41-7 on Monday Night Football after Favre's father passed away the previous day 4. Comeback attempt - Favre and wife Deanna wave to fans as they get off a private jet at Austin Straubel International Airport in 2008.
Super Bowl XXXI

It was Super Bowl XXXI that made Brett Favre a star, backing up his MVP awards with a title bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay. After going 13-3 in the regular season and winning the second of his three MVPs, Favre and a dominant defense led by Reggie White rolled through the playoffs, facing New England in New Orleans. Favre was great, hitting Andre Rison for a 54-yard touchdown on his first possession, running off the field holding his helmet aloft in a demonstration of youthful and spontaneous joy.

Favre finished the game going 14-27 for 246 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions in the biggest game of his career. He also scored a rushing touchdown, as he led the team to a 27-14 halftime lead. In the second half, defense and special teams, in the form of a 99-yard Desmond Howard kick-off return, sealed the deal. Though Howard was named MVP of the game, Favre was the emotional leader of an offense that took home the title just down the road from Kiln, Mississippi, his childhood home.

Inside the Huddle

Brett Favre was often featured on FOX 11, including in the weekly show Inside the Huddle. Hosted by sports director Drew Smith with Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, Favre was on the show in 2003 and 2007. The first time, in 2003, was just after Brett had spent the afternoon in the dentist chair, but ever the gamer, he still appeared.

In September of 2007, right at the beginning of what would be a final season with the Packers and a run to the NFC Championship, the aging quarterback was just as excited about the team as he was as a young quarterback.

Separation

After an overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship following the 2007 season, Favre decided, for the first time, it was time to retire. In a tearful press conference, he said he felt he didn’t have anything left to give. However, the itch to play came back, and Favre arrived at camp hoping to come back to play. His arrival divided the fan base, with some wanting to welcome the quarterback back to the fold.

The Packers, however, had already moved on to Aaron Rodgers, and traded Favre’s rights to the New York Jets. After a year with the Jets, Favre retired again, before coming back for two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, returning to Lambeau to beat the Packers while wearing enemy purple. Favre finally retired for good after the 2010 season.

Packers HOF

After Brett Favre spent seasons with the Jets and Vikings, many fans were wary of still backing the future Hall of Famer. In the summer of 2015 the Packers and Favre reconciled as the team inducted Favre into the Packers Hall of Fame in anticipation of his entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Favre addressed a packed Lambeau Field, full of fans who wanted to see their hero come home.

Favre’s jersey was retired that day, though his number wasn’t retired until Thanksgiving day at Lambeau Field later in the year. Favre’s name and number were installed on the facade in the north end zone of the stadium. The great Bart Starr, recovering from a series of strokes, was able to make it to the ceremony to honor Favre and his accomplishments.

Career Statistics
YEAR TEAM G ATT COMP PCT YDS TD INT RATING
1991 ATL 2 4 0 0 0 0 2 0
1992 GB 15 471 302 64.1 3,227 18 13 85.3
1993 GB 16 522 318 60.9 3,303 18 24 72.2
1994 GB 16 582 363 62.4 3,882 33 14 90.7
1995 GB 16 570 359 63.0 4,413 38 13 99.5
1996 GB 16 543 325 59.9 3,899 39 13 95.8
1997 GB 16 513 304 59.3 3,867 35 16 92.6
1998 GB 16 551 347 63.0 4,212 31 23 87.8
1999 GB 16 595 341 57.3 4,091 22 13 85.3
2000 GB 16 580 338 58.3 3,812 20 16 78.0
2001 GB 16 580 338 58.3 3,812 20 16 78.0
2002 GB 16 551 341 61.9 3,658 27 16 85.6
2003 GB 16 471 308 65.4 3,361 32 21 90.4
2004 GB 16 540 346 64.1 4,088 30 17 92.4
2005 GB 16 607 372 61.3 3,881 20 29 70.9
2006 GB 16 613 343 56.0 3,885 18 18 72.7
2007 GB 16 535 356 66.4 4,155 28 15 95.7
2008 NYJ 16 522 343 65.7 3,372 22 22 81.0
2009 MIN 16 531 363 68.4 4,202 33 7 107.2
2010 MIN 13 358 217 60.6 2,509 11 19 69.6
TOTAL   302 10,169 6,300 62.0 71,838 508 336 86.0