Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Brett Favre: Best ever? Brett Favre has 149 career wins as a starting quarterback, most in NFL history. He is a Super Bowl champion and the league's only three-time MVP. He holds a slew of career records and is four touchdown passes away from breaking Dan Marino's record of 420. But Favre is stalking a more dubious record. Ever the gambler, he is two interceptions shy of George Blanda's record of 277. It's possible he will break both in the same game.
So, given that contradiction, is there any way Favre can be considered the NFL's best quarterback ever? Better than Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, John Elway or former Packer legend Bart Starr?
Yep. And this is why:
1. The streak Favre's first start for the Packers came in the second game of the 1992 season. He hasn't missed a start since, an incredible string of 239 consecutive games in a brutally violent sport. He is the Cal Ripken Jr. of the NFL with superhero durability. It wasn't always easy, as evidenced by Favre's onetime addiction to painkillers, but the kid from Mississippi hasn't missed an opening snap in 15 years.
2. The conditions
Favre didn't play his career in balmy South Florida or the air-conditioned comfort of a dome. Nope. Favre has called frigid Lambeau Field home. Brrrrrr. How many passes has Favre completed in snow or subfreezing temperatures? Not being able to feel your fingers adds to the degree of difficulty in zipping a pass with pinpoint accuracy.
3. The coaches
Dan Marino played most of his career for Don Shula. John Elway had Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan. Joe Montana had Bill Walsh. Bart Starr had Vince Lombardi. Although Favre's career blossomed under Mike Holmgren, the coach left after seven seasons, six playoff appearances and two Super Bowl appearances. In nine seasons since, Favre has played for Ray Rhodes, Mike Sherman and Mike McCarthy.
4. The receivers
Favre has not benefited from a long-term relationship with a prolific pass catcher. No Jerry Rice. No Mark Clayton. No Raymond Berry. No Marvin Harrison. Favre clicks with whoever happens to be wearing a green and gold jersey: from Sterling Sharpe to Robert Brooks to Antonio Freeman to Bubba Franks to Donald Driver.
5. The spirit
Favre could have been a by-the-numbers quarterback. He could have gone through his progressions, made his reads, thrown the safe passes. But that's not his style. Yes, he throws interceptions. But Favre remains one of the most entertaining players in the game because he takes crazy, maddening, what-was-he-thinking risks. If someone doesn't like it, tough.
Brett Favre's career stats
Games 243 Att./Comp. 8,303/5,073 Yards 57,992 TDs 417 Ints 275
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Letter to the editor
