Favre: Great or Greatest?
Andy Buss
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports
Whether it be Barbie dolls or action figures, playing house or playing war, some things just hit you and never stop knocking as a reoccurring theme throughout your childhood.
For me, as with the thousands of other young Cheeseheads, the Green Bay Packers were something special. The Packers inspired, entertained and bonded my Dad and I.
I will never forget a Sunday more than five years ago when a no-name quarterback came off the bench at the end of the game for the Arizona Cardinals. He delivered a 30-yard pass with no time left on the clock to beat the Minnesota Vikings, bringing the Packers to the playoffs with their victory that same day. My dad and I high-fived as we watched the drama unfold.
Things would never have been the same if not for one special Packer who restored glory to the green and gold.
Though No. 4 Brett Favre is retiring, he will always be held in my book as the best and purest football player. Many certifiable football fans may have just scoffed. Yet, you may just find yourself waiting in line to pick up a copy of the "Tribute to Brett Favre" edition of Sports Illustrated by the end of this column.
First let's lay out exactly what we will use to measure the greatness of a football player: records, wins, toughness, leadership, and love of the game.
As for records, Favre holds every significant passing record in the NFL, including the most touchdown passes (442) and wins as a starting quarterback (160).
In 1997, Favre led the Packers to the Super Bowl for the first time in 29 years, winning 35-21 against the New England Patriots. The following season the Packers returned to the Super Bowl as favorites; but the team fell to the Denver Broncos. Aside from two Super Bowl seasons, Favre took the Packers to two NFC Conference Championships: 1995-96 and 2007-2008.
Since Favre became the starting quarterback for the Packers, the team maintained a 0.629 winning percentage - the highest of any team in the NFL since that time.
For me, as with the thousands of other young Cheeseheads, the Green Bay Packers were something special. The Packers inspired, entertained and bonded my Dad and I.
I will never forget a Sunday more than five years ago when a no-name quarterback came off the bench at the end of the game for the Arizona Cardinals. He delivered a 30-yard pass with no time left on the clock to beat the Minnesota Vikings, bringing the Packers to the playoffs with their victory that same day. My dad and I high-fived as we watched the drama unfold.
Things would never have been the same if not for one special Packer who restored glory to the green and gold.
Though No. 4 Brett Favre is retiring, he will always be held in my book as the best and purest football player. Many certifiable football fans may have just scoffed. Yet, you may just find yourself waiting in line to pick up a copy of the "Tribute to Brett Favre" edition of Sports Illustrated by the end of this column.
First let's lay out exactly what we will use to measure the greatness of a football player: records, wins, toughness, leadership, and love of the game.
As for records, Favre holds every significant passing record in the NFL, including the most touchdown passes (442) and wins as a starting quarterback (160).
In 1997, Favre led the Packers to the Super Bowl for the first time in 29 years, winning 35-21 against the New England Patriots. The following season the Packers returned to the Super Bowl as favorites; but the team fell to the Denver Broncos. Aside from two Super Bowl seasons, Favre took the Packers to two NFC Conference Championships: 1995-96 and 2007-2008.
Since Favre became the starting quarterback for the Packers, the team maintained a 0.629 winning percentage - the highest of any team in the NFL since that time.
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