Brett Favre biography

He led his team, the Green Bay Packers, to its first Super Bowl championship, in January 1997, since Vince Lombardi was coach, almost three decades earlier. The team won its first championship in 29 seasons, a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Bret Favre also led his team to another Super Bowl the next season in Super Bowl XXXII, in which the Packers lost to the Denver Broncos 31-24. Despite playing with a painful thumb injury on his right or passing hand throughout the season in 1999, Favre became the most durable professional quarterback ever, playing in his 125th straight game. He beat the record of Ron Jaworski of the Philadelphia Eagles of 116 straight games from 1977-1984. He is the only quarterback ever to be named NFL “Most Valuable Player” for three consecutive seasons—1995-1997.

Bret Favre is known for more than football only, however. His Bret Favre Forward Foundation, which was established to support charities that provide aid for disadvantaged or disabled children in Mississippi or Wisconsin, has donated more than $395,000 to charities. The charity has given money to: Special Olympics; Cystic Fibrosis; Gaits to Success; Make-A-Wish; Hope Haven; U.S.M. Foundation: Cerebral Palsy; Mississippi Chapter Make-A-Wish Foundation; Mississippi Special Olympics; MHG Development Foundation and Candlelighter for Childhood Cancer.

From May 5-6, 2,000, the 5th annual Bret Favre Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at the Bridges Golf Resort in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. A pairings party was May 5, followed by the tournament on May 6.

The Bret Favre Celebrity Softball Game was June 3, 2,000 at the Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The golf tournament raised $100,000. The money was given to: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mississippi Chapter, $20,000; Mississippi Special Olympics, $20,000; MHG Development Foundation, $10,000; Candelighter for Childhood Cancer, $10,000; Hope Haven, $20,000 and Gaits to Success, $20,000.

“ This is certainly a reward to me to be able to contribute money to the many worthwhile charities, which will benefit the children of Mississippi,” Favre said on the website, www.brunoeventteam.com. “ I am blessed for the opportunity to give back to the state of Mississippi and the communities that have supported me for years.”

“The Brett Favre Found Forward Foundation is appreciative for the corporate support that allows us to distribute the funds generated for the state of Mississippi’s worthwhile charity organizations,” said Eric Wooten, attorney and Bret Favre Forward Foundation Board of Directors member on the same website.

The charity featured the Brett Favre Forward Foundation Dinner on September 24, 1999, in Green Bay Wisconsin at the Brett Favre Steakhouse. The dinner was preceded by a reception and silent auction. All the proceeds went to charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi. The event marked the first time the community in the Packers hometown became involved in supporting the charity.

There were two corporate packages offered as part of the dinner. In the “Gold” Package, participants paid $2,500 and received: a meal for eight; prepared by Bret’s chef; table wine; a reception prior to the dinner; one autographed Bret Favre jersey; a color photograph of Favre for everyone at the table and a raffle ticket for the Packers game against Seattle and other prizes.

Those purchasing a “Green” ticket for $1,500 received a table for eight, a meal prepared by Brett’s chef and wine and access to a reception prior to the dinner.

Those in attendance saw several highlights during the evening. Local sportscaster Larry McCarren was the emcee. Then Packer head coach, Ray Rhodes was the guest speaker. Packers Leroy Butler, Bernardo Harris and Matt Hasslebeck also made appearances.

During the softball game, the Packers’ defensive team beat the offensive team, 15-11. A capacity crowd of 6,279 watched the game. “Elvis Presley,” representing a local radio station, rushed pitcher Bill Schroeder for a pitch he thought was too close. The pitcher playfully dropped the pitcher to the ground, grabbed his wig and waved it to the crowd. Favre said he planned on making the game an annual event.

Many children who have terminal illnesses in the Make-A-Wish foundation, those with cerebral palsy, cancer and other conditions are glad Favre cares about them. His accomplishments in football are many. He has more goals than just championships and records, however.

There is no doubt, however, that his accomplishments will one day bring him entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Favre was originally a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to Green Bay. Green Bay is the least populated city in the country with a major professional sports franchise. The team was hungry for another championship, as in the days of Vince Lombardi and a new star as it then had quarterback Bart Starr. Favre became the most popular NFL quarterback since Joe Montana.

Favre is one of only four quarterbacks to throw for more than 4,000 yards at least three times. The others were: Dan Marino, six times; Warren Moon, four times and Hall of Fame quarterback, Dan Fouts, three. Favre was also chosen as the ninth best player in NFL Player of the Century voting. He has also thrown for 30 or more touchdowns five times, more than any player in history. Marino accomplished the feat four times.

Considering the Packer’s history of championships years before Favre arrived, his club records might seem more impressive. During his tenure, the team had a club record seven straight winning seasons from 1992-1998 and a club record six consecutive playoff appearances from 1993-1998. He was also elected to five Pro Bowls in his first eight seasons and chosen as starter for the NFC from 1995-1997. He did not play in 1997 because of an injury.

Another impressive accomplishment is that Favre threw more touchdown passes than any quarterback in the 1990’s, even though he was not in the league in 1990 and barely played his rookie season with Atlanta. Other quarterbacks who played in the 1990’s included Dan Marino, John Elway, Joe Montana and Steve Young.

New Green Bay offensive coordinator, Tom Rossley said on www.packers.com that he is “excited about the opportunity to coach a three time MVP. I think there’s a great fire within him,” he said, adding he thinks Favre can with a fourth MVP.

Favre showed his skills before the NFL. At Southern Mississippi University he set school records for passing, 8,193 yards, attempts, 1,234, completions, 656, percentage, 53% and touchdowns, 55. His 1.57% interception rate was the lowest among the 50 top college passers.

He also showed his toughness just as much as he later would in the NFL. Seriously injured in a traffic accident before his senior season, he opened the season and played one month after having a great deal of his intestines removed. Favre led his team to an 8-3 record that season and was the MVP of the All American Bowl.