Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Quarterback Brett Favre
For the second consecutive year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members. Here we take a look at gun-slinging quarterback Brett Favre.
The first weekend in August is always a special time for football fans. Training camps are in full swing, the preseason kicks off and there’s hope for all 32 NFL teams.
There is also this little event called the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony. It celebrates the accomplishments of the men who have made this a great game, be it as a player, coach or administrator.
For the second straight year, there are eight legends in the class. The proud city of Canton, Ohio welcomes owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace, quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel.
We will take a look at the magnificent careers of each of these men as each receives the ultimate honor when it comes to their place in football history.
We have already delved into the careers of DeBartolo and Dungy. Now it’s time to look back at the resilient gunslinger and prolific quarterback Brett Favre. Originally a second-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, Packers executive Ron Wolf orchestrated a trade to bring him to Green Bay. He would make history throughout his career.
Thanks to the play of Peyton Manning the last two seasons, Favre now ranks second all-time in passing yards (71,940) and scoring passes (508). He and Manning are the only players in league annals to throw for at least 70,000 yards and 500 scores. Drew Brees and Tom Brady (tied with 428 TD passes) may still both get there when it comes to the latter and Brees has already thrown for more than 60,000 yards.
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But Favre’ most notable accomplishment will be his streak. It began in Week 4 of 1992 when he was with the Packers. Off a week in which he rallied Mike Holmgren’s team to a win over Cincinnati, the young signal-caller made his first NFL start against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He led the club to a 17-3 win and his streak of consecutive regular-season starts (which would continue with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings) would reach a mind-boggling 297, ending in 2010.
As far as performances, there were many. But who will ever forget that memorable Monday night at Oakland in 2003 when Favre had to deal with the sudden death of his father? He responded by completing 22-of-30 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 rout of the Oakland Raiders.
More nfl spin zone: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Edward DeBartolo Jr.
Favre led the Packers to consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s, Holmgren’s club winning XXXI and losing XXXII. He would also get within a game of another title shot a few more times, including 2009 while with the Vikings. He was a risk-taker thanks to that electric arm and for all his heroics served up his share of memorable interceptions as well. But he was a fighter on the field, never giving up the ship while always giving his team a chance to succeed.
Was Favre the greatest quarterback of all time? Some will point to the numbers and say yes while others scoff at that notion. But he’s certainly in the discussion and was an easy selection for the Hall of Fame voters in his first year of eligibility.
Additional bio link courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame website