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Brett Lorenzo Favre (born 10 October 1969 at [[Gulfport]], [[Mississippi (state)|Mississippi]]) is a former [[American football]] [[quarterback]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for twenty years from 1991 to 2010. He began at the [[Atlanta Falcons]] in 1991 and then transferred to the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1992, where he remained until 2007. He later played for the [[New York Jets]] in 2008 and the [[Minnesota Vikings]] from 2009 to 2010. Favre was the first NFL quarterback to achieve 500 career [[touchdown]] passes.


'''Brett Lorenzo Favre''' (born [[October 10]], 1969, in [[Gulfport, Mississippi]])<ref name="favre at databasefootball">{{cite web| url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=FAVREBRE01 | title=Brett Favre's stats | publisher=Databasefootball.com| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> is the starting [[quarterback]] for the [[Green Bay Packers]] of the [[National Football League]]. He has been their starting quarterback since [[1992 NFL season|1992]]. He is of [[France|French]] and [[Choctaw]] ancestry; one of his paternal grandparents was a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] affiliated with the [[Choctaw]].<ref name="Favre Background">{{cite web| url=http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/001648.asp | title=Mississippi Choctaw chief to speak at Brett Favre Day | publisher=Indianz.com| date=2004-05-07| accessdate=2007-02-08
==Notes==
}}</ref>
{{Reflist}}


As the only three-time [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] (1995-97) in NFL history, Favre has led the Packers to two Super Bowls: the first being a victory against the [[New England Patriots]] in [[Super Bowl XXXI]], and the second being a loss to [[John Elway]]'s [[Denver Broncos]] in [[Super Bowl XXXII]]. Favre has played 16 seasons in the NFL. Favre has the most consecutive starts among NFL quarterbacks with 237 (257 total starts including playoffs) and completions (5,021), and ranks second behind [[Dan Marino]] for career touchdown passes (414), career attempts (8,223),<ref name="nfl stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1028|title=Brett Favre - Career Statistics|publisher=NFL.com|accessdate=2007-02-14}}</ref><ref name="passing note">Sources including [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1025 ESPN.com] and [http://www.profootballreference.com/players/FavrBr00.htm profootballreference.com] list 8,224 passing attempts.</ref> and career passing yards (57,500).  With 147 victories as a starting quarterback, Favre is tied with Dan Marino for second; they both trail John Elway's 148.<ref name="favrewatch">{{cite web| url=http://www.packers.com/history/record_book/individual_records/favre_watch | title=Favre Watch | publisher=Packers.com | accessdate=2007-02-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/1025/ | title=Brett Favre Player Page | publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] | date=2007-02-07| accessdate=2007-02-08 }}</ref><!-- Used because neither the favre watch nor profootballreference had updated as of 22 December 2006, 7:39 AM EST.  Also changed date above to 18 because it was obviously after the game on the 17th. -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Favre, Brett}}
 
[[Category:American football biographies]]
==Early years==
Favre was raised in [[Kiln, Mississippi]]. He was the second of three children and often played football with his brothers as a child. Favre had a strong arm growing up. His elementary teacher recalled Favre throwing 50-yard passes in the fifth grade. He attended [[Hancock North Central High School]] where he played baseball and football. In baseball, Favre started for Hancock North Central as an eighth-grader and earned five varsity letters. In football he played [[quarterback]], [[Lineman (football)|lineman]], [[Defensive back|strong safety]], [[placekicker]] and [[punter (football position)|punter]] in a primarily [[option offense|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 back]]s. As a result, in the three years Brett was on the team, his father ran a run-oriented offense called the [[Wishbone formation|wishbone]]. Favre rarely threw more than five passes in a game.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=355010 | title=Favre was toughened by brothers, dad | last=D'Amato | first=Gary| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | date=2005-10-10| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
==College==
Favre received only one scholarship offer after high school, from nearby [[The University of Southern Mississippi|Southern Mississippi]]. Southern Miss wanted him to play [[defensive back]], but  Favre wanted to play quarterback instead. He clawed his way up from the seventh string to the backup job and then to the starting position just three games into his freshman year. He took over in the second half against [[Tulane University|Tulane]] on [[September 19]], 1987, and led USM to a comeback victory with two touchdown passes. The night before, Favre had drunk several beers and on gameday was suffering from a hangover. He was vomiting in warm-ups and also was sweating and staggering. In his junior season, Favre led the Golden Eagles to a big upset of [[Florida State University|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.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=356600 | title=Favre caught on quickly in college | last=D'Amato | first=Gary| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-17| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
Favre's college career was turned upside down on [[July 14]], 1990, when he was 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. It flipped three times in the air, crashed into a tree and got stuck there. Only after his brother smashed the window with a golf club could he be evacuated to the hospital.  On the way there, inside of 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 of Favre's [[small intestine]]. On [[September 8]], Favre led Southern Miss to a comeback victory over [[University of Alabama|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."<ref name="Favre Timeline">{{cite web| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/features/favre/timeline | title=Brett Favre Timeline | last=Traina | first=Jimmy | work=[[Sports Illustrated]]| date=[[2002-10-05]]| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
Favre earned a Teaching Degree from [[The University of Southern Mississippi]] with an emphasis in special education.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wireimage.com/Celebrities/Brett-Favre | title=Brett Favre Biography| publisher=Wireimage.com | accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref>
 
==Atlanta==
Favre was drafted by the [[Atlanta Falcons]] in the second round, 33rd overall in the 1991 [[NFL Draft]]. In [[Atlanta]], he was a third-string quarterback with unremarkable numbers and an affinity for partying. His partying resulted in him missing the team photo, and being fined because of the incident.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://images.si.com/inside_game/peter_king/news/1999/10/04/mmqb/ | title=Favre is changed -- and happy | last=[[Peter King (sportswriter)|King, Peter]]| publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]]| date=1999-08-04| accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref> Favre was often in conflict with coach [[Jerry Glanville]]. Glanville did not approve of the drafting of Favre, and said it would take a plane crash to put Favre into the game.<ref name="JSAtlanta">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=358097 | title=Trading places | last=D'Amato | first=Gary| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-24| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> In one incident, Favre made an $100 bet with Glanville that he could throw the ball into the upper deck of [[Fulton County Stadium]]. Favre won the bet and Glanville paid him the money.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dailyhome.com/sports/2006/as-pros-0905-0-6i05b1312.htm | title=So close, so Favre | last=Merrill | first=Elizabeth| work=[[The Anniston Star]]| date=2005-10-05| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> Favre's first pass in a NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown. He only attempted five passes in his career at Atlanta, completing none of them.<ref name="Favre Stats" />
 
The Packers [[general manager]] [[Ron Wolf]] traded a first round pick (17th overall, which Atlanta would use to trade down to #19 to take Favre's former USM teammate, running back Tony Smith, who was described in [[ESPN]]'s Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame the Falcons for Trading Brett Favre as "a physical coward") for Favre during the following offseason. Wolf, while 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 pick previous to the Jets.<ref name="JSAtlanta" />
 
The trade is regarded as one of the most lopsided in NFL history, but nearly didn't happen.  According to the ''[[Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]]'' and other sources, during the physical after the trade, Favre was diagnosed with [[avascular necrosis]], the same [[degenerative]] [[hip]] condition that ended [[Bo Jackson]]'s career, and doctors recommended he be failed.  Wolf overruled them and the Packers were able to keep Favre.<ref name="failphysical">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=348858 | title=What, his hip? Favre reveals he has avascular necrosis | last=Silverstein | first=Tom| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-08-17| accessdate=2007-02-08
}}</ref>
 
==Green Bay==
Brett Favre has played 15 seasons in Green Bay. During his time in Green Bay, Favre has won three consecutive MVP awards, the first person in NFL history to do so.<ref name="Favre 1997" /> He helped the Packers appear in two Super Bowls, winning [[Super Bowl XXXI]]. Favre has also started every [[Green Bay Packers]] game since [[September 20]], 1992.<ref name="Favre Stats" />
 
===Beginning years in Green Bay===
In the second game of the 1992 season, the Packers played the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]. The Buccaneers had built a large lead by half time, which resulted in head coach [[Mike Holmgren]] benching starting quarterback [[Don Majkowski]] and playing Favre the second half. On his first regular season play as a Packer, Favre threw a pass which was deflected and caught by himself. Favre was tackled and the completion went for -7 yards. The Packers ended losing the game 31-3, with the Packers having only 106 yards passing.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=13&mth=9&yr=1992&tm=TAM&lg=NFL | title=NFL Box Score for 9/13/1992 | publisher=Databasefootball.com| accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Favre 1992">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=359903 | title=Favre bursts onto the NFL scene in 1992 | last=McGinn | first=Bob| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-01| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
On the Packers third game of the 1992 season, early in the first quarter, starting quarterback Don Majkowski injured a ligament in his ankle against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]. Favre replaced Majkowski and did not play well during most of the game; he fumbled four times and was sacked six times. On the eight yard line, down 23-17 with 1:07 left, Favre helped lead a fourth quarter comeback. On the second play of the drive, Favre completed a 42 yard pass to [[Sterling Sharpe]]. On the next play Favre threw the game-winning touchdown pass to [[Kitrick Taylor]] with 13 seconds remaining. After completing the pass, Favre removed his helmet and hoisted it above his head. Holmgren had to point out to Favre that he was the holder on the extra point kick.<ref name="Favre 1992" />
 
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 for the first time since 1965. They ended 9-7 that season, missing the playoffs on their last game.<ref name="Favre 1992" /> Favre finished his first season as a Packer with 3227 yards and a quarterback rating of 85.3, helping him to his first [[Pro Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=GNB&yr=1992&lg=nfl | title=1992 Green Bay Packers | publisher=Databasefootball.com| accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref>
 
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. Favre and the Packers finished the 1994 season 9-7, advancing them to the playoffs in back to back years, a feat the Packers hadn't done since the [[Vince Lombardi]] era.<ref name="Favre 93-94">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=361602 | title=Packers roll dice | last=Nickel | first=Lori| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-08| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
In 1995, Favre won the first of his three MVP awards. Favre led the Packers to an 11-5 record, the Packers best record in nearly thirty years. Favre passed for a career high of 4413 yards and 38 touchdowns. His quarterback rating was a career high 99.5.<ref name="Favre Stats" /> 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 advanced farther in the playoffs than any other Packer team since 1967, the season the Packers won [[Super Bowl II]].<ref name="Favre 1995">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=363151 | title=Favre seizes first MVP | last=Silverstein | first=Tom| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-15| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
While being treated for various injuries, Brett Favre developed an addiction to painkillers. This became known when he suffered a seizure during a hospital visit. While the NFL investigated, he went public to avoid various rumors. In May 1996, he was immediately forced into treatment by the NFL and remained in rehabilitation for 46 days.<ref name="Favre rehab">{{cite web| url=http://www.treatmentonline.com/treatments.php?id=993 | title=The NFL's Punitive Substance Abuse Policy| last=TheEditorInChief| publisher=Treatmentonline.com| date=2006-09-19| accessdate=2007-02-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=364891 | title=Drug abuse rocks his world | last=D'Amato | first=Gary| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-22| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
===Super Bowl years===
Favre led the Packers to their best season in 30-years in the [[1996 Green Bay Packers season|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 compiled an NFL-best regular season record of 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.<ref name="Favre 1996">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=366558 | title=Having the time of his life| last=McGinn | first=Bob| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-10-29| accessdate=2007-02-08
}}</ref>
 
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.<ref name="Favre 1996" />
 
Favre and the Packers continued their dominance of the NFC during the next season. Favre was named co-MVP of the league along with [[Detroit Lions]]' running back [[Barry Sanders]], his third straight award. Also, Green Bay advanced 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.<ref name="Favre 1997">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=368529 | title=Year of great highs, lows | last=McGinn | first=Bob| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-11-05| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
===Post Super Bowl years===
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.
 
Favre has not had as much success in the postseason since Super Bowl XXXII; he is 2-5 in the playoffs since the 1998 season.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=380128 | title=Post-seasonal depression| last=Silverstein | first=Tom| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-12-24| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> Two of those losses were at home in the [[Wild card (sports)#National Football League|wild-card game]], and they were the first postseason losses ever at [[Lambeau Field]]. Since 1998, he has recorded 149 completions on 249 attempts for 1,804 yards, with 11 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions, leaving him with a quarterback passer rating of 70.1 in the playoffs.<ref name="QB rating calculator">{{cite web| url=http://www.primecomputing.com/ | title=NFL, NCAA, AFL Quarterback Rating Calculator | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref>
 
In March 2001, Favre signed to a "lifetime" contract with the Packers, the first in team history which also made Favre the first $100 million player in NFL history.
 
====Strahan controversy====
Favre was the target of controversy at the end of 2001 when, in the regular-season finale against the [[New York Giants]] at [[Giants Stadium]] in [[East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]], Favre rolled to his right and slid down at the feet of hard-charging 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.<ref name="Sacks leaderboard">{{cite web| url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/sacks| title=Record and Fact Book: The Definintive Source for NFL Information | publisher=NFL.com| accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> Favre claimed he had changed the play at the line of scrimmage, but the rest of the team appeared to run a different play than Favre's. The Packers were winning the game handily —and did win 34-25— and Favre's offensive line had relegated Strahan to a non-factor for most of the game. Players and fans from around the league were highly critical of the play. Mike Freeman of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote: "Yes, Mr. Favre, Strahan deserves the record, but please, handing it to him the way you did, as if you were throwing change into a Salvation Army [[bucket]], is the kind of mistake Favre may never live down".<ref name="Freeman on Favre">{{cite journal| title=PRO FOOTBALL: INSIDE THE N.F.L.; Favre Was Not First To Grant Special Favor.| journal=[[New York Times]]| last=Freeman| first=Mike| date=2002-01-13}}</ref>
 
====2003 Oakland Raiders performance====
One of the defining moments of Favre's career, and arguably his greatest game ever, took place on [[December 22]], 2003, in a [[Monday Night Football]] game against the [[Oakland Raiders]], the day after his father, Irvin, died suddenly of a [[heart attack]] while driving his car. Favre elected to play and passed for four touchdowns in the first half, and 399 yards in a 41-7 victory over the Raiders on international television (even receiving applause from the highly partisan "[[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."<ref name="irvinmnf">{{cite web| url=http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2003/12/24/3/ | title=Packers-Raiders Recap | publisher=Packers.com| date=2003-12-14| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.<ref name="irvinmnf2">{{cite web| url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6952212 | title=Favre, Parrish, Cundiff earn NFC awards | publisher=NFL.com| date=2003-12-25| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> He then went to his father's funeral in [[Pass Christian, Mississippi]]. Favre won an [[ESPY Awards|ESPY Award]] for his [[Monday Night Football]] performance.<ref name="espy">{{cite web| url=http://espn.go.com/espy2004/s/04nomineesindex.html | title=The 2004 ESPY Awards winners| publisher=ESPN.com| date=2003-12-25| accessdate=2006-12-12}}</ref>
 
===Final years===
In the [[2005 Green Bay Packers 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. His passer rating was 70.9, 31st in the NFL and the worst single season rating of his career.<ref name="qbrating"> {{cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics?stat=pass&sort=rat&league=nfl&season=2&year=2005 | title=NFL Passing Stats 2005| publisher=ESPN.com| accessdate=2006-12-12}}</ref>
After the disappointing 2005 season, many speculated that Favre would retire.<ref name="Retirement speculation">{{cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2311729 | title=Favre says he's leaning toward retirement| publisher=ESPN.com| date=2006-01-30| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> However, on [[April 26]], 2006, Favre announced that he would remain with the team for the [[2006 Green Bay Packers season|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 has not ruled out the possibility of returning beyond the 2006 season.<ref name"return">{{cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2421947 | title=Favre to play '06 season for Packers| publisher=ESPN.com | date=2006-04-26| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
In the [[2006 Green Bay Packers season]], Favre suffered his first career [[Shutout#American_Football|shutout]] against the Chicago Bears. Later in the season, the New England Patriots shut out the Packers in a game where Favre was injured before half time and could not complete the game.<ref name="shutout1">{{cite web| url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20060910_CHI@GB | title=Favre, Packers shut out by Bears 26-0| publisher=NFL.com| date=2006-09-10| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref><ref name="shutout2">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=532772 | title=A painful lesson | last=McGinn | first=Bob| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2006-11-12| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref> On [[September 24]], 2006, Favre 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.<ref name="400 Club"> {{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=503433 | title=The 400 Club: Favre joins Marino's class| last=Braun | first=Rick| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2006-12-27| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>  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.
 
On [[February 2]], 2007, Brett Favre announced that he will return for the [[2007 Green Bay Packers season|2007 season]].  "I am so excited about coming back," the 37-year-old quarterback said to ''[[The Sun Herald]]'' in [[Biloxi]], [[Mississippi]]. He also commented, "We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year, and that's encouraging."<ref name="returnNFL.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/GB/99705093 | title=Packers' Favre to play in 2007| publisher=NFL.com| date=2007-02-02| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref><ref name="returnPackers.com">{{cite web| url=http://packers.com/news/releases/2007/02/02/1/ | title=Favre to return in 2007| publisher=Packers.com| date=2007-02-02| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref><ref name="returnSunHerald">{{cite web| url=http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/16607933.htm | title=Favre to play in 2007 | last=Jones | first=Al| work=[[The Sun Herald]]| date=2007-02-02| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
==Family tragedies==
On Sunday, [[December 21]], 2003, Irvin Favre ran into a ditch near [[Kiln, Mississippi]], where years earlier Brett Favre had nearly died in a car accident.  [[Sergeant]] Joe Gazzo of the [[Mississippi Highway Patrol]] stated, "It didn't appear that the accident was serious enough to cause him to be unconscious, so that leads us to believe that a medical condition was what caused him to go off the road." Irvin Favre went off the road at 5:23 p.m., according to eye-witness reports, and was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m.  An autopsy performed the following day showed that Irvin Favre died of a sudden [[heart attack]].<ref name="Irvin">{{cite web| url=http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2003/12/21/2/ | title=Favre's Father Dies At 58 | last=Jones | first=Al| work=Packers.com| publisher=[[Associated Press]]| date=2003-12-21| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
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.<ref name="wifeandcousin">{{cite web| url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/packers/2005-10-19-deanna-favre-cover_x.htm | title=Deanna Favre gives Green Bay another reason to cheer | last=Weisman | first=Larry| work=[[USA Today]]| date=2005-10-19| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
Soon after in 2004, Favre's wife, [[Deanna Favre]], was diagnosed with [[breast cancer]].  Following aggressive treatment, she has made progress and is expected to make a complete recovery. 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.<ref name="Favre and Cancer">{{cite web| url=http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061014/NEWS01/610140315/1002 | title=Cancer taught Favre value of life| date=2006-10-24| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref><ref name="wifeandcousin" />
 
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. Brett and Deanna's home in [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]] was also damaged by the storm.<ref name="katrina">{{cite web| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=352405 | title=Packers feel the effects of Katrina | last=D'Amato | first=Gary| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=2005-08-13| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
On [[December 13]], 2005, Favre's grandmother, Izella French, suffered a [[stroke]].<ref name="stroke">{{cite web| url=http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2005/12/14/3/ | title=Favre Deals With More Heartache | last=Fedotin | first=Jeff | publisher=Packers.com| date=2005-12-14| accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref>
 
==Honors and awards==
*Favre has won the National Football League's [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) Award three times, all in consecutive years (1995, 1996, and 1997; the last shared with [[Barry Sanders]]).
* In 1999, he was ranked number 82 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.<ref name="TSN 100 greatest">{{cite web| url = http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/ | title = Football's 100 Greatest Players | publisher = [[The Sporting News]]| accessdate = 2006-12-20}}</ref>  In 2005, ''TSN'' published another special feature honoring the 50 Greatest Quarterbacks.  With his career statistics considerably augmented, Favre was ranked number 4, behind [[Johnny Unitas]], [[Joe Montana]] and [[John Elway]], and just ahead of previous Packer quarterback legend [[Bart Starr]].
*Favre has been selected to play in the [[Pro Bowl]] eight times in his career.<ref name="Packers Pro Bowl">{{cite web| url = http://www.packers.com/history/fast_facts/most_pro_bowls_by_position/ | title = Most Pro Bowls, By Position| publisher = Packers.com| date = 2006-12-20| accessdate = 2006-12-20}}</ref>
*[[Wisconsin]] [[Governor]] [[Jim Doyle]] declared [[November 29]], 2004 as Brett Favre Day to honor Favre's 200th consecutive NFL regular season start.<ref name="Favre Day">{{cite web| url = http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/7949741 | title = Every Day is Brett Favre Day in Cheeseland| publisher = NFL.com| date = 2004-12-01}}</ref> That night, the [[Packers]] defeated the [[St. Louis Rams]] on [[Monday Night Football]].
*Men's Health Magazine voted Favre the "Toughest Person in America" in 2003.<ref name="Favre toughest">{{cite web| url = http://www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2006/10/27/News/Bringing.Social.Justice.Through.Sports-2406866-page2.shtml?norewrite200611131703&sourcedomain=www.dailycampus.com | title = Bringing Social Justice Through Sports| last = Parkosewich| first = Gary| work = [[The Daily Campus]]| date = 2006-10-27}}</ref>
*Established the '[[Brett Favre Fourward Foundation]]’ in 1996; in conjunction with his annual golf tournament, celebrity softball game and fundraising dinners, 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.<ref name="Fourward Foundation">{{cite web| url = http://www.officialbrettfavre.com/fourward_foundation/ | title = The Brett Favre Fourward Foundation| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref>
 
==Records and milestones==
Favre currently possesses a number of NFL records:
* Most career pass completions: '''5,021'''<ref name="Completions Leaderboard">{{cite web| url = http://profootballreference.com/misc/cmp.htm | title = Leaderboard:Completions| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref>
* Most seasons with 20 or more touchdown passes: '''12, all consecutive''' (1994-2005)<ref name="Favre Stats" />
* Most seasons with 30 or more touchdown passes: '''8, 5 consecutive''' (1994-1998, 2001, 2003-2004)<ref name="Favre Stats" /> ''For perspective, only five other quarterbacks in NFL history have recorded at least two consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons in their careers: [[Steve Bartkowski]],<ref name="Bartowski at PFR">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/BartSt00.htm | title = Steve Bartkowski's career stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref> [[Dan Fouts]],<ref name="Fouts at PFR">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/FoutDa00.htm | title = Dan Fouts's career stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref> [[Dan Marino]],<ref name="Marino at PFR">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/MariDa00.htm | title = Dan Marino's career stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref> [[Jeff Garcia]],<ref name="Garcia at PFR">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/GarcJe00.htm | title = Jeff Garcia's career stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref> [[Y.A. Tittle]].<ref name="Tittle at PFR">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/TittY.00.htm | title = Y.A. Tittle's career stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate =2007-02-07}}</ref>''
* Most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes: '''4''' (1995-1997,<ref name="1995 TD Leader">{{cite web| url = http://profootballreference.com/years/leaders1995.htm | title = 1995 NFL Leaders| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref><ref name="1996 TD Leader">{{cite web| url = http://profootballreference.com/years/leaders1996.htm | title = 1996 NFL Leaders| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref><ref name="1997 TD Leader">{{cite web| url = http://profootballreference.com/years/leaders1997.htm | title = 1997 NFL Leaders| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref> 2003<ref name="2003 TD Leader">{{cite web| url = http://profootballreference.com/years/leaders2003.htm | title = 2003 NFL Leaders| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref>)
* Most consecutive 3,000+ yards passing seasons: '''15''' (1992-2006)<ref name="Favre Stats" />
* Most consecutive 300+ completion seasons: '''15''' (1992-2006)<ref name="Favre Stats" />
* Most consecutive NFL MVP awards: '''3''' (1995, 1996, 1997)<ref name="AP MVP">{{cite web| url = http://www.databasefootball.com/awards/award.htm?a=APMVP | title = AP MVP winners| publisher = DatabaseFootball.com| accessdate = 2007-02-07}}</ref>
* Most NFL MVP awards: '''3'''<ref name="AP MVP" />
* Most consecutive starts by a quarterback: '''237''' (257 including playoffs)<ref name="favrewatch" />
* Longest touchdown pass: '''99 yards''' (to [[Robert Brooks]], 1995)<ref name="Longest TD pass">{{cite web| url = http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/09/Sports/Favre_extends_dominat.shtml | title = Favre extends domination of Bears| publisher = [[Associated Press]]| date = [[2002-10-09]]}}</ref>(tied with several others)
 
From 2002 to 2004, Favre threw a touchdown pass in 36 consecutive games,<ref name="Favre TD streak">{{cite web| url = http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=nytimes&page=nfl/scores/final/W1299.htm | title = NFL Game Summary - Green Bay at Philadelphia| publisher = Sportsnetwork.com| accessdate = 2007-02-07}}</ref> the second longest streak ever behind [[Johnny Unitas]]' 47.<ref name="Unitas TD streak">{{cite web| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/b_duane_cross/09/14/favre/index.html | title = Favre from finished| last = Cross| first = B. Duane| publisher = [[Sports Illustrated]]| accessdate = 2006-11-13}}</ref>
 
Favre continues to close in on several NFL career records.<ref name="favrewatch" /> As of the end of the 2006 NFL season, Favre stands at:
* Second all-time in career passing touchdowns, with '''414''' (Marino, 420)<ref name="Favre Career Stats">{{cite web| url = http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/FavrBr00.htm | title = Brett Favre Career Stats| publisher = profootballreference.com| accessdate = 2007-02-08}}</ref>
* Second all-time in career passing yards, with '''57,500''' (Marino, 61,361)<ref name="Favre Career Stats" />
* Second all-time in career pass attempts, with '''8,223''' (Marino, 8,358)<ref name="nfl stats" /><ref name="passing note" />
* Second all-time in single stadium passing yards, with '''25,765''' (Elway, 27,889)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2006/10/29/4/ | title = Notebook: Group Effort Replaces Jennings, Favre Scores Rushing TD| last = Spofford| first = Mike}}</ref>
* Second all-time in career interceptions thrown by a quarterback, with '''273''' (George Blanda, 277)<ref name="Favre Career Stats" />
* Second all-time in career regular season wins by starting quarterback, with '''147''' (Elway, 148; Marino, 147) <ref name="favrewatch" />
* Third all-time in career consecutive starts by an NFL player, with '''237''' (Mick Tingelhoff, 240; Jim Marshall, 270) <ref name="favrewatch" />
 
In addition, Favre owns a number of team records, having printed his name into almost every passing category in the annals of [[History of the Green Bay Packers|Green Bay Packers history]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.packers.com/history/record_book/individual_records/passing/ | title = Team Record Book| publisher = Packers.com| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref>
 
===Consecutive starts===
 
Considered the Iron Man of the NFL, Favre is the only NFL player to have started every game his team has played over the past 14-year period.<ref name="Favre Stats">[http://www.packers.com/team/players/favre_brett/ Favre's statistics at www.packers.com.]</ref>  Brett Favre is currently in first place for consecutive NFL games started by a quarterback. During the first 200 straight games started by Favre, 178 other quarterbacks started in the NFL, eleven of them being back-ups to Favre at one point.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=279432 | title = 200 reasons to admire Favre| last = D'Amato| first = Gary | work = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date = [[2004-11-28]]}}</ref>
 
==Notes and references==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references /></div>

Latest revision as of 15:48, 10 September 2019

Brett Lorenzo Favre (born 10 October 1969 at Gulfport, Mississippi) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for twenty years from 1991 to 2010. He began at the Atlanta Falcons in 1991 and then transferred to the Green Bay Packers in 1992, where he remained until 2007. He later played for the New York Jets in 2008 and the Minnesota Vikings from 2009 to 2010. Favre was the first NFL quarterback to achieve 500 career touchdown passes.

Notes

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