Brett Favre Retires: Top 10 Players Made Better By No. 4

Brett Favre's legacy may have been tarnished by his endless flirtations with retirement, but there is no question that he is a Hall of Famer.

His statistical achievements are truly astounding.  The 11-time Pro Bowler captured three Most Valuable Player Awards, quarterbacked two Super Bowl teams, and threw for over 69,000 yards and 497 touchdowns in his 16-year career.

Along the way, Favre made household names out of dozens of players who rode his golden right arm all the way to the bank.

Here's a look at 10 players who flourished while on the receiving end of passes from Brett Favre.

No. 10: Visanthe Shiancoe

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Visanthe Shiancoe #81 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for yards after the catch against Jabari Greer #32 and Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 201

It's not often that a player from Morgan State makes the big time, but Visanthe Shiancoe had a breakout season while catching passes from Favre for the Vikings.

The tight end hauled in a career-high 56 receptions and caught 11 touchdowns while benefiting greatly from Favre's skill as a play-action passer.

Shiancoe's numbers should dip considerably next season.

No. 9: Dorsey Levens

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

13 Jan 2002: Dorsey Levens #25 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Ronnie Heard #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC wild-card game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 25-15. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/

Levens was an unheralded fifth-round pick of the Packers who rode Favre's coattails to a Pro Bowl season in 1997.

Levens broke into the lineup by displaying impressive skills as a receiver. He flourished in the screen pass game in the West Coast offense and caught a whopping 71 passes out the backfield in 1999.

In the end, Levens enjoyed two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and made a name for himself despite fairly average skills.

No. 8: Bubba Franks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 20: Tight end Bubba Franks #88 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball for an 11 yard recpetion against the New York Giants during the NFC championship game on January 20, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo b

The king of the one-yard touchdown catch.

Despite his immense size, Franks always seemed to sneak behind the defense at the goal line.

Favre's wizardry with the ball help free Franks up for 32 career touchdowns. The tight end made three Pro Bowls during his eight-year career with the Packers before following Favre to the Jets for a season.

No. 7: Javon Walker

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker sets for play at Lambeau Field against the Seattle Seahawks August 16, 2004. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The athletic Walker exploded for 89 receptions, 1,382 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2004 while providing Favre with a legitimate big-play threat.

The rest is pretty much history.

Walker suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2005 and announced his intentions to hold out before being shipped to Denver.

He will likely have to fight just to make an NFL roster for the upcoming season.

No. 6: Sidney Rice

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a reception against Randall Gay #20 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints w

Rice and Favre only had one year together, but what a year it was.

After struggling during his first two seasons with the Vikings, the athletic Rice exploded for 83 catches and eight touchdowns last season.

No player took advantage of Favre's arm strength more than Rice, who emerged as a dangerous deep threat.

No. 5: Mark Chmura

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

12 Sep 1999: Mark Chmura #89 of the Green Bay Packers looks on the field during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Raiders 28-24.

"Chewy" came to the Packers as a sixth-round pick seemingly destined for the Packers' practice squad.

He left as a household name and a three-time Pro Bowler.

The tight end formed a close bond with Favre and center Frank Winters while producing solid, albeit unspectacular, numbers.

Chmura's NFL career came to an end after he was accused of statutory rape stemming from his actions in a hot tub.

No. 4: Robert Brooks

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

9 Nov 1998: Wide receiver Robert Brooks #87 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Packers 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewar

Brooks' acceleration and speed met Favre's arm strength and created an entertaining match for the Packers.

His best season came in 1995, when he caught 102 passes for 1,497 and 13 touchdowns, including a 99-yard reception against the rival Chicago Bears.

Like many players on this list, Brooks' career was hampered by nagging injuries.

No. 3: Sterling Sharpe

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

11 NOV 1990: GREEN PACKERS WIDE RECEIVER STERLING SHARPE LOOKS BACK TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE DURING THE PACKERS 29-16 VICTORY OVER THE LOS ANGELES RAIDERS AT THE LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

Before a neck injury ended his career, Sharpe was one of the NFL's best receivers. He provided Favre with a security blanket as the young quarterback embarked on his wild career.

Sharpe only played with Favre for three seasons but amassed the 100-catch plateau twice. He hauled in a whopping 18 touchdowns in 1994, his final season before doctors advised him to retire.

No. 2: Antonio Freeman

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 14: Reciever Antonio Freeman #86 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch against the Detroit Lions during the game at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2003 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-6. (Photo by Jon

Freeman didn't have great size or good speed, but he did have a terrific career with the Packers.

He served as Favre's primary target for five seasons and made a handful of spectacular catches. Favre and Freeman connected on an 81-yard touchdown that keyed the Packers' Super Bowl win over the Patriots in 1995.

Freeman left the Packers for the Eagles in 2002 before returning to the team and retiring in 2003.

No. 1: Donald Driver

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings hugs former teammate Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers following the Vikings victory over the Packers on October 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis

Driver's enthusiasm was a perfect match for Favre's love of the game.

Favre lobbied for Driver to get into the Packers' lineup, and once he did, the duo formed one of most productive connections of any receiver-quarterback tandem in NFL history.

Driver's production has remained steady in the two seasons since Favre departed, but there is no question that his career benefited greatly from Favre's talents.