Brett Favre Has A Charitable Side Not Often Featured

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Now that Brett Favre has decided to stay retired, the Internet will turn sluggish under the weight of the hits.

In all the stories, however, I wonder how many will focus on Brett Favre, the man.

In some communities, organizations and homes, this unbelievably long—lived NFL quarterback may be known more for his off—the—field charitable work.

On his website, For the Love of the Game, the future Hall of Famer said his Brett Favre Fourward Foundation donated more than $1.5 million to disadvantaged and disabled children in Mississippi and Wisconsin.

However, that may be a typo, because his foundation is reported by other sources to have raised more than $3 million, which is the amount listed on his wife's part of the Web site, titled Deanna Favre Hope Foundation.

It's unimportant because either amount is a lot of money, and as important as the money is the publicity that any Favre donation will draw.

That often means more donations by others.

His star power also brings publicity to the causes he supports, which works in society to make us all more tolerant and knowledgeable.

What isn't known, in the end, is how much Favre's example influences others, but I'm sure he has helped in ways he may never know.

He has devoted a lot of time to fundraising dinners and his celebrity softball tournament, in addition to other efforts.

I don't know all of the organizations that have benefited from Favre, but they include the Back—to—School Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, CASA of Brown County, Make—A—Wish Foundation, Rawhide Ranch, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, Wisconsin Whitewater, and Special Olympics.

Admittedly, Favre is a good man.

Favre's wife, Deanna, has also done a lot of good by calling attention to a modern day plague: breast cancer.

As a young woman of only 35 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2004.

Deanna has used her story as an opportunity to increase awareness of breast exams, mammograms, as well as sharing a story that other women can identify with.

She has done a lot of the work for their foundation, and she is called the "rock" behind their relationship on their Web site.

Reading about her cancer, and her faith in God, it is easy to see why they have combined to form such a wonderful foundation.

I hope they can continue their work as Favre enters a new stage in his life, but I don't think he will be out of football for long.

His passion is football and he was very good at it, some say great at it.

One way or another, he'll be back, whether it's on TV or in a book, or some other format.

That's as it should be. He's earned it.

Lastly, more important than Brett Favre the great quarterback, is Brett Favre, the good, decent man.

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