Breaking Down the Career of Brett Favre

Last week Brett Favre announced to the New York Jets that he was going to retire, just one year after doing the same thing as a Green Bay Packer. However, this time it appears to be for good (we think).

Favre ranks as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, yet will partially be remembered for the poor season he had as a member of the Jets.

A trade in the middle of the preseason put Favre in unfamiliar territory as he had to adjust to new surroundings, coaches, teammates, and a new playbook in a short period of time before the season started. Favre started off well, but saw the season go downhill after he helped lead the Jets to upset over the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans.

Following that game, Favre threw two touchdowns and nine interceptions as New York went 1-4 in the final weeks, causing the Jets to miss the playoffs.

However, Favre was so much more than his final season in the league as a Jet made him out to be.

After being drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons, he spent a year holding a clipboard, then was traded to the Packers for running back Tony Smith. Favre was brought in as a backup for Don Majkowski, but it didn’t take long for him to become the starter.

In the second game of the season, the team was trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-0 at halftime and Majkowski was pulled for Favre. That was the start of his legendary career.

Three years later, Favre won the first of his three MVP awards and one year after that, in 1996, he led the Packers to a 35-21 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Favre won the MVP award three consecutive years—1995-97—a feat accomplished by no other player, though Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts has three total .

He also set the record for consecutive starts by a quarterback with 269—or 291 if you include playoff games. Altogether, Favre either holds or is tied for the NFL record in the following categories: consecutive starts by a quarterback (269/291), regular-season wins by a starting quarterback (169), NFL MVP awards (3), passing yards (65,127), passing touchdowns (464), interceptions (310), attempts (9,280), completions (5,720), and games with three or more touchdowns (65).

So, where does Favre rank among the all-time greats?

Well, do an internet search for a list of the NFL’s top 10 quarterbacks and you’ll see a great variety. Some list Favre as a high as No. 5, while others don’t even list him in the honorable mention. Statistically, he is one of, it not the, greatest quarterback to play in the league, but things were different back when guys like Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham were playing.

Regardless of where you put him on your list, Favre deserves to be mentioned as a top-10 quarterback in the league. In addition to all the records he owns, he is a Super Bowl winner and was always one of the most interesting quarterbacks of this generation to watch as he improvised his way through defenses.

If there was one moment that defined Favre as a quarterback, it would have to be the Monday Night Football game on Dec. 22, 2003 featuring the Packers at the Oakland Raiders. Favre’s father, Irvin, had passed away just the day before and there was public speculation that Favre would miss the game, though privately his team knew he was going to play.

In pregame warm-ups, Favre appeared noticeably saddened. However, once the game started, it was business as usual.

Favre threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns just in the first half and finished with 399 yards. Those stats are amazing, but watching the game was even better. Almost every pass by Favre seemed to be in the perfect spot at the perfect time. His teammates made incredible plays and catches all night as the Packers beat the Raiders 41-7.

Favre has been through a lot in his career. Off the field ,he had to deal with the death of his father, the cancer diagnosis of his wife Deanna, and his addiction to and rehabilitation from pain killers. Yet, through it all, he continued to play at an extraordinarily high level.

It is tough to see guys like Favre end their careers in a different uniform than the one they made it in. Picturing Favre as a Jet is just as awkward as seeing Joe Montana as a Kansas City Chief, Emmitt Smith as an Arizona Cardinal or Unitas as a San Diego Charger.

Yet we should all remember Favre for what he did in Green Bay and as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He just needs to stay retired this time to cement his already sterling legacy.

----------------
TO READ MORE ABOUT BRETT FAVRE CLICK BELOW..

Breaking Down the Career of Brett Favre