Brett Favre is a former NFL quarterback known for his exceptional longevity and numerous records. He played for 20 seasons, mainly with the Green Bay Packers, and holds the record for consecutive starts with 321. Favre achieved many milestones, including being the first NFL quarterback to reach 70,000 passing yards, 10,000 passes attempted, 6,000 completions, 500 touchdowns, and victories against all 32 NFL teams.
The Packers' playoff run in 1995, fueled by Favre's exceptional performance, marked their most successful postseason appearance since their championship victory in Super Bowl II in 1967.
On October 10, 1969, Brett Lorenzo Favre was born. He would go on to have a long and successful career as a quarterback in the NFL.
The Packers' 1996 season was one for the record books. They led the NFL in both points scored and fewest points allowed, a feat only achieved by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They also set a then-NFL record for the fewest touchdowns allowed in a 16-game season.
In the following season, Favre led the Packers to their first playoff appearance since 1982, earning his second Pro Bowl selection. He threw for his first career 400-yard passing game and led the NFC in pass attempts, completions, and interceptions. He also had four game-winning drives, bringing his career total to seven.
This entry references the year 1984 when Mark Gastineau held the NFL single-season sack record, which was later surpassed by Michael Strahan in 2001 during a play involving Brett Favre.
On September 19, 1987, despite suffering from a hangover, Brett Favre took over as starting quarterback for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the second half against Tulane, leading them to a comeback victory with two touchdown passes and securing his position.
Brett Favre led the Southern Miss Golden Eagles to a stunning upset victory over the #6 ranked Florida State Seminoles on September 2, 1989, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with only 23 seconds remaining on the clock.
Brett Favre's daughter, Brittany, was born in 1989.
On July 14, 1990, Brett Favre was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in the removal of 30 inches of his small intestine. Remarkably, he recovered quickly and led Southern Miss to a comeback victory against Alabama just eight weeks later.
On July 19, 1991, Brett Favre officially signed a three-year, $1.4 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning his professional football career.
Ron Wolf, who would later trade for Favre to bring him to Green Bay, initially wanted to draft Favre for the New York Jets in the 1991 NFL draft.
Brett Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft but only spent one season as a backup.
Brett Favre was traded to the Green Bay Packers on February 11, 1992, a pivotal moment that would shape his career and revitalize the Packers franchise.
Brett Favre's record-breaking consecutive starts streak began on September 20, 1992, marking the start of his remarkable run as the Packers' quarterback.
On September 27, 1992, Brett Favre's streak of consecutive games started when he played against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback.
In 1992, Brett Favre began his record-breaking streak of consecutive starts in the NFL, which would ultimately reach 297 games.
In 1992, Brett Favre began his tenure as starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers after Don Majkowski was injured. Despite a shaky start with fumbles, Favre threw a game-winning touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals. This game marked the beginning of the longest consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history. Favre led the Packers to a six-game winning streak, the longest for the team since 1965.
Spanning the 1994 and 1995 seasons, Favre tied an NFL record by throwing for at least two touchdowns in twelve consecutive games, highlighting his consistent dominance on the field.
The Packers' loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 1998 Wild Card Round marked their first failure to reach the NFC Championship since 1994.
The Packers, led by Favre, finished the 1994 season with a 9-7 record, securing a playoff berth for the second consecutive year. This marked the first time the team achieved this since the Vince Lombardi era. Despite a win against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round, the Packers' season ended with a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
From 1995 to 1997, Brett Favre was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for three consecutive years, a record for the award.
Favre's exceptional performance in 1995, including a career-high 4,413 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, earned him his first AP MVP award. He led the Packers to an 11-5 record, their best in almost three decades. The team's playoff run, which included a victory against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, marked their deepest postseason advancement since 1967. Despite these accomplishments, the Packers' season ended with a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game.
In May 1996, Favre publicly addressed his addiction to Vicodin, which came to light following a seizure after ankle surgery. He entered a 46-day rehabilitation program, choosing treatment over a hefty NFL fine. Remarkably, he bounced back to lead the Packers to their most successful season in 30 years, securing his second consecutive MVP award.
Brett Favre married Deanna Tynes on July 14, 1996.
Brett Favre established the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation in 1996.
In 1996, Brett Favre admitted to being addicted to Vicodin, which led to a temporary ban from drinking alcohol by the NFL. His condition was serious enough to cause a life-threatening seizure, leading him to spend 46 days at a rehab facility before the season started.
Brett Favre's streak of three consecutive MVP awards ended in 1997, marking the end of an unprecedented achievement in the NFL.
Favre led the Packers to an NFL record 29 consecutive home wins, including both regular and postseason games, until a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on October 5, 1998. While Tom Brady and the New England Patriots later surpassed the regular season portion of this record in 2010, Favre's combined regular and postseason streak remains unbroken.
Brett Favre made a cameo appearance in the 1998 film "There's Something About Mary".
In the 1998 Wild Card Round, the Packers' season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite a late touchdown pass from Favre to Antonio Freeman, the 49ers rallied back with a last-second touchdown to secure the victory, marking the Packers' first failure to reach the NFC Championship since 1994.
Brett Favre partnered with NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett in 1999 to operate Jarrett/Favre Motorsports in the Busch Series for two seasons.
Brett Favre's daughter, Breleigh, was born in 1999.
In the final game of the 1999 NFL season, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers were involved in a dramatic tie-breaking situation. Despite Favre's impressive performance, including leading a 99-yard touchdown drive, the Packers were eliminated from playoff contention.
This entry references the years 1999 and 2000 as part of the Green Bay Packers' 13-season non-losing streak, which ended in 2005.
This entry references the years 1999 and 2000 as part of the Green Bay Packers' 13-season non-losing streak, which ended in 2005.
On March 1, 2001, Brett Favre signed a significant contract extension with the Green Bay Packers, securing his future with the team for ten more years with a deal worth approximately $100 million.
In a 2001 game, Brett Favre was sacked by Michael Strahan, giving Strahan the NFL single-season sack record. The play sparked controversy, with some suggesting Favre may have eased Strahan's path to the record.
With the Minnesota Vikings' victory over the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre achieved a historic milestone in 2002. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to secure victories against all 32 franchises since the league expanded to that number in 2002.
This entry highlights Brett Favre's impressive consecutive games with a touchdown pass streak, which began in 2002 and spanned multiple seasons. This streak, one of the longest in NFL history, underscored Favre's consistency and impact as a quarterback.
Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers experienced both success and setbacks in 2002. Despite making the playoffs, they suffered their first home playoff loss in years, this time against the Atlanta Falcons.
On December 22, 2003, Brett Favre made the difficult decision to play in a game against the Oakland Raiders just one day after his father's passing. Favre delivered an emotional and exceptional performance, throwing for four touchdowns and leading the Packers to a decisive victory. His dedication to the game and his father's memory resonated deeply with fans and fellow players alike.
In 2003, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers continued their pattern of reaching the playoffs, marking another successful regular season. However, their playoff run was cut short once more, this time facing a difficult loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In October 2004, Brett Favre and his family experienced a tragic loss when his brother-in-law, Casey Tynes, died in an ATV accident on Favre's property in Mississippi.
Brett and Bonita Favre published their book, "Favre", in 2004.
During a 2004 game against the New York Giants, Brett Favre sustained a concussion but continued to play, even throwing a touchdown pass without any recollection of it afterward. This game highlighted Favre's toughness and resilience.
In 2004, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers achieved a significant milestone by holding the longest streak of non-losing seasons (13) in the NFL. This streak highlighted their consistency and competitiveness over a considerable period.
In 2004, Deanna Favre, Brett Favre's wife, received a breast cancer diagnosis. Following extensive treatment, she recovered and went on to establish The Deanna Favre Hope Foundation. This foundation focuses on providing breast cancer education, promoting early detection, and improving access to diagnostic services for all women, including those facing healthcare disparities.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage to Brett Favre's family home in Mississippi. Despite the personal impact of the disaster, Favre remained committed to his football career and continued to play during the 2005 season.
Brett Favre experienced a challenging 2005 season, marked by a high number of interceptions and a lower passer rating than his usual performance. This dip in performance fueled speculation about his potential retirement.
In 2005, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers experienced a challenging season, finishing with a 4-12 record. This disappointing outcome marked the end of their impressive 13-season non-losing streak.
On April 26, 2006, Brett Favre announced his decision to continue playing for the Green Bay Packers, putting to rest speculation about his potential retirement.
On May 6, 2006, Brett Favre revealed that he had not entirely dismissed the possibility of playing beyond the 2006 NFL season. This announcement indicated his evolving perspective on retirement.
Towards the end of the 2006 season, rumors began to circulate about Brett Favre's potential retirement from the NFL. In the season finale against the Chicago Bears, Favre received a standing ovation from Bears fans, acknowledging his long-standing rivalry with the team. Following the Packers' victory, Favre gave an emotional interview where he admitted that his future in football was uncertain.
On December 31, 2006, the Green Bay Packers concluded their season with a 26-7 victory over their rivals, the Chicago Bears. This win marked Brett Favre's 22nd career victory against the Bears, contributing to his impressive all-time record of 22-8 against them.
On February 26, 2007, Brett Favre underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on his left ankle in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The surgery aimed to address a buildup of bone spurs.
On September 16, 2007, Brett Favre led the Green Bay Packers to a victory against the New York Giants, securing his 149th career win. This win surpassed John Elway's previous record, establishing Favre as the quarterback with the most wins in NFL history.
Following the Packers' 33-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on November 4, 2007, Brett Favre became the third quarterback in NFL history to have defeated all 31 other teams in the league. This accomplishment placed him alongside Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who had achieved the feat just a week prior.
Following the conclusion of the 2007 season, the Green Bay Packers' management began to express internal doubts about Brett Favre's ability to lead the team to another Super Bowl victory. This sentiment was compounded by concerns that his backup, Aaron Rodgers, needed adequate playing time to be properly evaluated as a potential successor. Despite Favre's willingness to play for another year, miscommunication and a delayed response from the Packers created further uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.
Throughout the 2007 NFL season, Brett Favre's future with the Green Bay Packers remained a topic of intense speculation, with many believing that he would retire if the team reached the Super Bowl. Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his retirement plans, Favre ultimately decided to return for the season. The Packers, however, fell short of the Super Bowl, losing to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game.
Brett Favre's exceptional performance throughout the 2007 NFL season earned him a selection to the 2008 Pro Bowl as the starting quarterback for the NFC. This selection highlighted his significant contributions and achievements during the season.
On January 20, 2008, Brett Favre played his final game as a Green Bay Packer, concluding an era in which he led the team to numerous victories and a Super Bowl XXXI championship.
On March 4, 2008, Brett Favre officially announced his retirement from the NFL. In an emotional press conference, he clarified that while he was physically capable of playing another year, he felt his desire to continue had waned. Favre emphasized that his decision was unrelated to the actions of the Packers organization and stemmed solely from his personal feelings about continuing his career.
On July 2, 2008, reports surfaced that Brett Favre had been in communication with the Green Bay Packers, hinting at a possible return to the team. This development came just a few months after he had announced his retirement from professional football.
On July 11, 2008, Brett Favre formally requested the Green Bay Packers to release him from his contract, allowing him to pursue opportunities with other NFL teams. However, Packers general manager Ted Thompson declined Favre's request, stating that the organization was committed to Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. This decision highlighted the complex situation surrounding Favre's potential return and the Packers' commitment to their chosen successor.
On July 14, 2008, Brett Favre broke his silence regarding his potential comeback and his relationship with the Green Bay Packers in an interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News. Favre admitted to prematurely retiring, citing pressure from the Packers to make a decision before the NFL draft and the start of free agency. He refuted claims that he was unwilling to play for Green Bay, stating he understood their decision to move on but wanted the same opportunity. Favre expressed his desire for a release rather than a trade, which would give him more control over his future team. He also accused the Packers organization of dishonesty in their dealings with him.
On July 16, 2008, the Green Bay Packers filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings, alleging improper communication between the Vikings' offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, and Brett Favre. The Packers suspected that Favre might have also been in contact with Vikings head coach Brad Childress, prompting their decision to report the alleged violation to the NFL. Following an investigation led by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the league determined that no tampering rules had been broken by the Vikings.
On July 29, 2008, Brett Favre formally requested reinstatement to the NFL after retiring.
Commissioner Roger Goodell granted Brett Favre's reinstatement request on August 4, 2008, allowing him to rejoin the NFL. Favre then flew to Green Bay Packers training camp.
After negotiations involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers traded Brett Favre to the Jets on August 7, 2008. The trade involved a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft with performance escalators.
An MRI performed on December 29, 2008, revealed that Brett Favre had sustained a torn biceps tendon in his right shoulder, a result of persistent pain.
After 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets in 2008.
Despite being selected for the 2008 Pro Bowl, Brett Favre was unable to participate due to an ankle injury. This unfortunate circumstance prevented him from showcasing his skills in the all-star game.
Initially, the Green Bay Packers planned to retire Brett Favre's #4 jersey in the 2008 season opener. However, this plan was dropped when Favre announced his intention to return to the NFL.
In the second part of his interview with Greta Van Susteren, aired on July 15, 2008, Brett Favre reiterated his commitment to playing in the NFL for the 2008 season. He expressed frustration with the Green Bay Packers management and voiced sympathy for his successor, Aaron Rodgers, who was caught in the middle of the situation.
During the 2008 season, Brett Favre allegedly sent inappropriate text and voice messages to Jenn Sterger, a Jets "Gameday host", leading to an NFL investigation in 2010.
Following the 2008 season, in January 2009, Brett Favre expressed uncertainty about his future with the New York Jets. He conveyed to Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum that it might be time for the team to explore other quarterback options.
On February 11, 2009, Brett Favre informed the New York Jets that he would be retiring from the NFL after 18 seasons.
In March 2009, the Green Bay Packers affirmed their intention to retire Favre's number. However, no specific timeline was established due to the circumstances of his departure from the team.
After Favre's retirement announcement, the New York Jets released him from his contract on April 28, 2009. This move granted Favre the freedom to sign with any team if he chose to return to the NFL.
Brett Favre's official removal from the New York Jets' Reserve/Retired list took place in May 2009, signifying his separation from the team.
Following an offseason filled with speculation, Brett Favre officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 18, 2009.
In September 2009, the NFL disclosed that the New York Jets were aware of Brett Favre's arm injury, which he sustained during the 11th game of the 2008 season. The Jets were fined $125,000 for failing to report the injury during the team's final five games of that season.
In 2009, Brett Favre surpassed Jim Marshall's record for starts at any position with his record-breaking 271st start as quarterback while playing for the Vikings against the Lions.
In 2009, Brett Favre played for the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a division title and the NFC Championship Game while having one of his statistically strongest seasons.
During a 2009 interview with NBC, Brett Favre was questioned about the number of times he played through concussions, particularly in light of the NFL's evolving concussion protocols. Favre's response was simply, "A lot," indicating a frequent occurrence of playing despite potential head injuries.
As part of the trade that sent Brett Favre to the New York Jets, a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft was included.
In 2009, Favre achieved a career-high passer rating of 107.2, surpassing his previous best set in 1995. This exceptional season solidified his place as one of the league's most talented quarterbacks.
The New England Patriots, despite surpassing Favre's regular season home winning streak, had their combined regular and postseason streak broken on January 10, 2010, with a home playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, leaving Favre's combined record intact.
NBC Sports reported on August 3, 2010, that Brett Favre had confirmed his return to the Minnesota Vikings but stated that the 2010 season would mark his final season in the NFL.
Confirming earlier reports, the Minnesota Vikings made an official announcement on August 17, 2010, confirming Brett Favre's return to the team for the 2010 NFL season.
During a game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 7, 2010, Brett Favre achieved a career milestone by throwing for 446 yards, a personal best. This performance was instrumental in leading the Vikings to an overtime victory after overcoming a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
While playing against the Buffalo Bills on December 5, 2010, Brett Favre sustained a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder after being hit by Bills linebacker Arthur Moats during a throw. The injury forced him to exit the game, and he was replaced by Tarvaris Jackson, who led the Vikings to victory.
On December 6, 2010, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots surpassed Favre's regular season record for consecutive home wins, but their combined streak was interrupted by a home playoff loss earlier that year.
Due to a sprained shoulder, Brett Favre was deemed inactive for the game against the New York Giants on December 13, 2010. This marked the end of his impressive consecutive regular-season start streak, which stood at 297 games. Including postseason appearances, Favre started a total of 321 games.
In a game against the Chicago Bears played at TCF Bank Stadium on December 20, 2010, Brett Favre suffered a concussion after being sacked by Bears defensive end Corey Wootton. This game, which took place outdoors due to the collapse of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome's roof, marked Favre's final appearance in an NFL game.
The NFL investigated Brett Favre in 2010 for allegations of sending inappropriate text messages and voicemails to Jenn Sterger, a Jets "Gameday host", during the 2008 season. Despite forensic analysis being unable to confirm that Favre had sent the photographs in question, he was fined $50,000 for not cooperating with the investigation, though the NFL found he had not violated the league's personal conduct policy.
Brett Favre's impressive consecutive start streak in the NFL came to an end in 2010 after 297 regular season games.
Unable to play in the Minnesota Vikings' final game of the 2010 regular season against the Detroit Lions on January 2, 2011, due to failing NFL-mandated post-concussion tests, Brett Favre formally announced his intention to retire from professional football.
On January 17, 2011, Brett Favre made his retirement from the NFL official by filing the necessary paperwork with the league.
Brett Favre took on the role of an analyst for his alma mater, Southern Miss, during their game against the Rice Owls on October 1, 2011. He later had a stint with the NFL Network, contributing to their pregame coverage of Super Bowl XLVII. Despite receiving multiple offers, Favre has reportedly declined opportunities to become a regular on-air analyst for the NFL Network.
By the end of 2011, most of Brett Favre's football records at Southern Miss were surpassed by Austin Davis. However, Favre's legacy at the university remains significant.
Following the end of his career in 2011, Brett Favre began to speculate about retiring from or returning to the NFL.
Brett Favre became the offensive coordinator at Oak Grove High School in 2012.
Oak Grove High School won the Class 6A Mississippi high school state championship in December 2013, while Brett Favre was serving as the offensive coordinator.
Amidst speculation and rumors, Brett Favre was approached by the St. Louis Rams in 2013 to consider a return to the NFL. However, citing concerns about memory loss and the potential long-term impact of multiple concussions sustained during his career, Favre declined the offer.
Brett Favre joined the Board of Directors of the sports social media platform, Sqor, in 2013.
It was announced that Brett Favre would no longer be the offensive coordinator at Oak Grove High School in May 2014, but would continue to help out.
Before the Mississippi runoff election on June 24, 2014, Brett Favre endorsed Thad Cochran, the incumbent Republican U.S. Senator, in his race against State Senator Chris McDaniel.
After years of anticipation, Brett Favre's #4 jersey was finally retired by the Green Bay Packers in 2015.
Brett Favre's nephew, Dylan Favre, joined the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League as quarterback in 2016.
In 2016, Brett Favre's achievements and contributions to football were formally recognized with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Favre family's restaurant in Green Bay, Wisconsin, "Hall of Fame Chophouse", closed in 2018.
On May 4, 2020, an audit unveiled a significant misappropriation of funds within Mississippi's Department of Human Services. Shockingly, the audit revealed that Favre's company received $1.1 million for speaking engagements he didn't fulfill, adding another layer to the ongoing welfare scandal.
In 2020, Brett Favre's involvement in promoting the concussion drug Prevasol came under fire due to its connection to a massive welfare fund embezzlement scheme in Mississippi. The scheme, involving the diversion of millions in federal grant funds intended for needy families, raised serious ethical and legal concerns about Favre's role.
Brett Favre endorsed President Donald Trump for re-election in the 2020 United States presidential election.
The situation escalated on October 12, 2021, when the Mississippi State Auditor put Favre on notice, threatening a civil lawsuit if he failed to return $828,000 in misappropriated funds. This development further intensified the scrutiny surrounding Favre's involvement in the welfare scandal.
On October 26, 2021, Favre made a partial repayment of $600,000, acknowledging part of his debt in the Mississippi welfare scandal. However, this action only partially addressed the issue, as he remained liable for a significant sum in interest, keeping the controversy alive.
In 2021, Brett Favre participated in a public service announcement (PSA) aimed at discouraging parents from allowing their children to engage in tackle football before the age of 14. Favre's involvement stemmed from his concerns about the potential long-term health risks associated with repeated head impacts in football.
On September 13, 2022, damning text messages between Favre and former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant came to light. These messages exposed Favre's direct involvement in diverting $5 million of public funds to fund a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi.
In 2022, Brett Favre became embroiled in controversy surrounding the Mississippi welfare funds scandal. Investigations alleged that $8 million designated for welfare programs was diverted to Favre or causes he supported, leading to denials from Favre and a defamation lawsuit against the State Auditor of Mississippi and two media personalities.
In a significant legal development in August 2023, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that Brett Favre must stand as a defendant in the ongoing welfare funds lawsuit. This decision marked a critical escalation in the legal battle, holding Favre accountable for his alleged role in the scandal.
On December 11, 2023, Brett Favre underwent a grueling nine-hour deposition where attorneys representing the State of Mississippi rigorously questioned him about his involvement in the welfare funds scandal. The deposition highlighted the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Favre's actions.
During an interview with Jason Whitlock in 2023, Brett Favre questioned the leadership of President Joe Biden.