NFL HOF Spotlight: Brett Favre

This NFL Hall of Fame spotlight focuses on a passing phenomenon: the Green Bay Packers legendary quarterback Brett Favre. Favre shattered so many records, some of which still stand today. He made 297 consecutive starts to regular season games—the most by any NFL player in the league’s history.

Favre was also the first quarterback in the league to accumulate 70,000 yards, 10,000 passes, 6,000 completions, 500 touchdowns, and victories over all 32 NFL teams.

Here’s a deep dive into what made Favre special.

Rise to Stardom

Born to Bonito Ann and Irvin Ernest Favre in Gulfport, Mississippi, Favre played football and baseball at Hancock North Central High School. McHale, the assistant coach of Southern Mississippi, noticed Favre’s star. McHale’s influence forced the school to offer Favre a football scholarship. When Favre arrived, there was almost zero chance of him starting in the quarterback position. But it only took till the second half of the third game for Favre to make his statement.

According to Sports Reference, Favre recorded a whopping 52 passing touchdowns and 7,695 yards throughout his college career. The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft.

Professional Football Career

Favre had a rough start to his professional football career. The Falcons head coach, Jerry Glanville didn’t approve of Favre’s drafting. For that reason, Favre played only two games for the Falcons and started none.

Green Bay Packers

After a forgettable first year in pro football, Favre found himself in the Packers following a trade. The Packers gave up their first-round pick for Favre as the general manager always wanted the promising quarterback. The medicals almost nullified what would have been. But as fate would have it, Favre was accepted.

Favre had a challenging start to life as a Packer but he remained focused. Eventually, his moment came in the Packers’ third game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 20, 1992.The Packers were trailing 17-23 in that game. But Favre single-handedly turned the tides in his team’s favor. With a little over one minute left on the clock, Favre delivered an incredible 42-yard pass to wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. A few moments later, Favre won it for the team with a touchdown pass.His performance in that game sealed his starting spot. And it became clear to the entire NFL world that a legend was indeed born.

At the end of the 1992 season, Favre had become a household name, even surpassing the likes of John Elway in the passing leaderboard. In the 1993 season, Favre led the Packers to their first playoffs in 11 years.

In his first playoff appearance, Favre delivered an otherworldly 40-yard pass to Sharpe for the game-winning touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Favre then guided the Packers to another playoffs a year later. It was their first back-to-back playoffs since the Vince Lombardi era.

NFL MVP

The 1995 season was another stellar year for Favre, who had become a leader in the Packers roster. Favre had one of his best career plays in a game against the Chicago Bears on September 11, 1995. He dropped into his own end zone and pump-faked a pass before throwing a 99-yard touchdown pass to Robert Brooks. It was daring, fearless, and simply unforgettable.

Favre remains the only Packers player to give such a pass, and one of 13 players to do it in NFL history. It was this high-risk, high reward playing style that earned him the title, “gunslinger.” Favre was more than instrumental in the Packers’ impressive 11-5 record. His sheer excellence landed him his first of three MVP awards in 1995. He also made the first-team All-Pro and came out on top in the voting for the offensive player of the year. There was no stopping Favre now.

Super Bowl Champion

The following year was an even more glorious one for Favre. He took the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 29 years. In the Super Bowl XXXI game, the gunslinger was at it again. He set a Super Bowl record with an 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman. In the end, Favre and the Packers had done enough to earn them the Super Bowl title.

Nothing But Raw Passion for the Game

The day after his father’s sudden passing, Brett Favre stepped onto the field and delivered a performance that felt touched by something greater. With 399 passing yards and four touchdowns, his display in that game was one of unshakable courage. He led the Packers to a 41-7 victory while the Oakland crowd cheered in respect. “I knew my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him and I love this game,” Favre said after the game.

New York Jets

After a retirement controversy, the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets in 2008. Favre took his golden arm with him to New York. One of his better individual performances came against the Arizona Cardinals in September 2008. He threw six touchdowns—his highest ever in a single game, and just one below the NFL record for a single game.

Plagued by injury, the Jets started looking elsewhere to fill the quarterback position. Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings in August 2009.

Minnesota Vikings

Favre immediately helped improve the Vikings performances. They recorded a 12-4 season and had a memorable NFC championship run. Although the Vikings fell to the New Orleans Saints, Favre shined in that game. He threw for 316 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Favre finished his 20-season-long NFL career with 71,838, 508 touchdowns and 336 interceptions.

Career Accolades

Favre was one of the league’s most prolific and durable quarterbacks earning him the nickname, “Ironman.” Favre won the AP MVP award three times. He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1995. He made three First-team All-Pro and three Second-team All-Pro. Favre won the Super Bowl XXXI. He also earned 11 Pro Bowl selections.

In passing, Favre set the pace as he finished four seasons as the NFL passing touchdowns leader. He was also a two-time NFL passing yards leader. Favre was selected into the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted Favre in 2016.

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