Goodbye Brett

I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but Brett Favre is officially the former starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
In his illustrious career, Favre broke the NFL records for touchdown passes, passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions, wins by a starting quarterback, consecutive games started by a quarterback, most 3,000 yard seasons, most consecutive 3,000 yard seasons, most seasons with 30 or more touchdown passes, most consecutive playoff games with a touchdown, and finally, most MVP awards.
The record that Favre was identified with the most was the consecutive starts by a quarterback. Since Sept. 20, 1992, the date when Favre made the first of his 253 consecutive regular season starts, 212 players have started at least one game as a quarterback. To give some perspective, second place Peyton Manning, will have to play another five 16-game seasons, and the first 13 games of another, just to tie Favre’s record
But the number that defines Favre the most is not his 253 consecutive starts, it’s not his 160 regular season wins, nor is it his 442 touchdown passes, his 6,1655 yards or his 5,377 completions. It’s not his three MVP awards, his 63 three touchdown games, or his 16 consecutive 3,000 yard seasons.
The number that defines Favre, is simply “four,” the word that describes the legend best is simply “Favre.” He is the most unique individual to play the game.
From the time he took over the reins as the Packers quarterback, he has played the game with such a little-kid enthusiasm, sometimes a little reckless, sometimes a little careless, but always, always amazing.
No article about Favre is complete without mentioning that he also holds the record for interceptions with 288. But that’s really what makes Farve Favre.
It’s his unpredictable nature that sometimes made you cry, and sometimes cry tears of joy.
It’s also that unpredictable nature that makes Favre so special. He’s not perfect, he’s just a regular small town high school quarterback.
Favre was one of the most respected players throughout the league. When he broke the record for career touchdown passes, he did so in a road game against a rival team. The fan response however? A standing ovation.
A standing ovation from your rival? Thats the kind of stuff that’s unheard of, , but there’s nothing that counts as impossible with Favre.
The only word to describe Farve is “Farve.”
The word “Farve” is sort of like an expletive. It can be used as seemingly any part of speech. As a noun, a farve is a pass throw in a rush without necessarily thinking about the consequences. As an adjective, a farve pass is a pass thrown in that same manner. As an adverb, someone could farvely toss the ball down the field. As a verb, one could farve it down the field.
Now, I made all that up, but with the right visual aide, I’d be willing to bet many football fans would understand it if I referred to a reckless pass as a farve.
Farve’s eagerness to compete has always been there. Even in college, there seemed to be nothing that could slow him down. Less than one month before his senior season in college, Farve was in a car accident that eventually left him with 30 inches less small intestine than he had before the accident.
Farve had that surgery Aug. 8 1990, and returned to action one month later, 30 pounds lighter.
Two years later, on Sept. 13, 1992, Farve completed his first pass as a Packer, a “farve” that was deflected by a defender and caught by Farve himself.
A week later, Farve replaced Don Majkowski, the Packers quarterback at the time, after Majkowski injured a ligament in his ankle, and led the Packers to a come-from-behind-win capped off with a game-winning touchdown pass. with 13 seconds left in the game.
Seven days later, Farve started his first game as a Packer, and the rest, well the rest is history.