Brett Favre: 25 Greatest Moments of His Hall of Fame Career

Looking Back at Brett Favre's Hall of Fame Career in 25 Defining Moments

When you're talking about Brett Favre, it's never safe to assume that he's played his last football game. 

However, his latest retirement certainly feels like it's for good. After all the down moments during the last calendar year, it's the right time for Favre to bid farewell to the NFL. 

And hate him or love him, five years after Favre stays retired for good, he'll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. 

His longevity and records will be the main reasons he goes, but these 25 singular moments in his storied career will help pave his way to Canton. 

Favre to Jennings on Monday Night Football

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DENVER - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a play against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 23, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. The Jaguars won 23-14 (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)

On the first play of an overtime game in 2007 against the Denver Broncos, Favre hit a streaking Greg Jennings for a 82-yard touchdown.

The strike marked the second longest touchdown pass in NFL overtime history, and it lifted the Packers to 6-1 on the season.

Jennings Catches No. 421

Just a week after tying Marino's touchdown record, Favre took the top spot all to himself with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jennings. 

It was a perfectly thrown slant, a route Favre and Jennings perfected during the 2007 season.

Breaking the record in the Metrodome, a place of previous horrors for Favre, made the moment even that more special. 

Favre Has Some Fun in the Snow

After the Seattle Seahawks busted out of the gates to a 14-0 lead in the 2007 NFC Divisional round, the Packers slowly worked their way back into the game.

When it was all said and done, the Packers had routed the Seahawks, but Favre's underhand shovel pass to Donald Lee was the moment everyone remembers.

99 Yards to Paydirt

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20 Sep 1998: Wide receiver Robert Brooks #87 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Packers defeated the Bengals 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport

Back in 1995, with the ball on the Packers' own 1-yard line in Chicago, Favre went back to pass. 

After a pump fake froze the defenders, Favre delivered a perfect strike to a streaking Robert Brooks for a 99-yard touchdown. 

Many of Favre's records might be broken, but this one will always live on.

Edgar Bennett Gives Favre 5

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19 Nov 1995: Running back Edgar Bennett of the Green Bay Packers moves the ball during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Packers won the game, 31-20.

Facing the Bears at Lambeau Field in '95, Favre found Edgar Bennett on a screen pass that the Packers' running back took into the end zone. 

Bennett's touchdown catch marked Favre's fifth passing score of the game, a career high up to that point for No. 4. 

Nifty Run to the Super Bowl Pylon

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26 Jan 1997: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball during Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allspo

With the Packers clinging to a 20-14 lead, Favre showed the athleticism of his younger days when he dove to the pylon for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI. 

The 2-yard touchdown run gave the Packers a 27-14 lead in Favre's only Super Bowl win.

Favre's Run Gives the Packers a Playoff Berth

With just 14 seconds left in the game, and the Packers trailing the Atlanta Falcons by four points, Favre took matters into his own hands.

Favre's 8-yard touchdown run put the Packers up 21-17 over the Falcons and propelled Green Bay into the 1994 playoffs.

Favre Wins over Minnesota Fans

With the Vikings down, 24-20, and just 12 seconds remaining, Favre danced around and found Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone for a unbelievable game-winning touchdown. 

Vikings fans were mostly critical of Favre up to this point, but his miraculous throw immediately won over many of the hearts in Minnesota.

Favre to Levens to New Orleans

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12 Jan 1997: Running back Dorsey Levens (left) of the Green Bay Packers stops defensive back Eric Davis of the Carolina Panthers during the National Conference Playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game, 30-13. Manda

Only the Carolina Panthers stood between the Packers and their first Super Bowl appearance in 29 years.

Favre's 29-yard touchdown pass to Dorsey Levens tied the game at 7, and the Packers went on to roll the Panthers, 30-13, in the 1996 NFC Championship game.

Favre to Driver in NFC Championship

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 20: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers throws the ball during the NFC championship game against the New York Giants on January 20, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Giants defeated the Packers 23-

The final score obviously didn't turn out how Favre and the Packers wanted, but Favre's 90-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver in the 2007 NFC Championship game set the Packers' playoff record for longest play. 

The score also gave the Packers a 7-6 lead.

While Favre's interception in overtime was the final dagger in Green Bay's season, their surprising run to the championship game was due mostly to the revived play of Favre.

Favre Jets to 6 Touchdowns

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets calls a play from the line against the Arizona Cardinals during the game on September 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 56-35. (Photo by Chris M

Playing in just his fifth game for the New York Jets, Favre put together his most prolific scoring game of his career. 

Starting on a sore ankle, Favre threw six touchdowns passes as the Jets beat the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 56-35. 

While the Jets would finish with 10 wins, Favre faltered down the stretch and New York missed the playoffs. 

Favre and the Packers Make Progress

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6 Jan 1996: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers runs down the field during a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Packers won the game 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allspor

In January of 1996, the Packers were a team on the rise, but had yet to make much noise as a Super Bowl contender. 

Favre and Green Bay took a major step in cementing their status by beating the heavily favored 49ers in San Francisco in the Divisional round of the 1995-96 playoffs. 

The Packers would lose the next week in the NFC Championship game to the Dallas Cowboys, but Green Bay's playoff run in '95 would help set up the successes of the two Super Bowl seasons.

Favre to Freeman Isn't Enough for the Packers

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25 Jan 1998: Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsp

While Favre found Antonio Freeman twice for touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXII, the duo's heroics weren't enough for the Packers against the Denver Broncos. 

Favre threw for 286 yards and three scores, but the Packers came up a touchdown short as the Broncos won, 31-24.

Heroic Start to the '99 Season

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26 Sep 1999: Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Favre has always been known for his late-game heroics (and flounders, as well), but during no stretch was Favre as dangerous as the start of the 1999 season. 

Favre's touchdown pass in Week 1 with under a minute to go beat the Oakland Raiders, and two weeks later Favre hit Corey Bradford with 12 seconds to go to beat the Minnesota Vikings. 

He wasn't done, however. In the Packers' very next game, Favre led a game-winning drive to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-23. 

The Packers would finish just 8-8, but Favre's early heroics were the lasting memory of the '99 season.

Favre Beats the Packers

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings lines up during the Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers on October 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squi

After Favre signed with the hated Minnesota Vikings, Packers fans and NFL fans alike circled the date: Oct. 5, 2009. 

On that day, the Packers would face Favre for the first time, and Favre made the most of it. 

The Vikings used Favre's three touchdown passes to beat the Packers, 30-23, and Favre became the first quarterback in NFL history to beat all 32 teams. 

Wildcard Stunner

In his first ever playoff game, Favre's 40-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe in the 1993 Wild Card against the Detroit Lions gave the Packers their first playoff win in 11 years. 

Scrambling around and buying time, the play was vintage Favre, and it marked the makings of a star in Green Bay.

Favre Shines Back at Lambeau

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 1, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty I

While Favre was booed in his first trip back to Lambeau Field, he ended up getting the best of the Packers. 

Favre threw four touchdowns on his former home field, and the Vikings beat the Packers by a score of 38-26. 

The Packers would return the favor a year later, but in 2009, Favre owned his former team. 

Favre's Streak Ends

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It may have been a somber moment for Favre, but the day his consecutive starts streak ended at 297 (321 counting playoffs) was a special moment in NFL history. 

It's a record that may never be broken, and even if it is, it should still be the one stat that defines Favre's career. 

For the better part of 18 and a half seasons, Favre started every game—despite injury and personal loss—and 238 different quarterbacks started in the NFL during that time period.

It might not have been Favre's greatest moment, but the streak had to end sometime.

Jennings Catches No. 420

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers is chased out of the pocket against the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field September 23, 2007 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

With 2:03 left in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers and Favre being just a touchdown away from tying Dan Marino's touchdown record, No. 4 found Jennings on a slant across the middle. 

Jennings did the rest as he raced through the heart of the Chargers' defense and into the end zone to put the Packers up 24-21 and give Favre his 420th touchdown pass of his career. 

3 Straight MVP Seasons

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18 Nov 1996: Linebacker Broderick Thomas of the Dallas Cowboys goes after Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre during a game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 21-6. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

From 1995-1997, Favre was simply the most dominant player in the NFL and his three MVP awards were proof of that. 

Favre lead the league in touchdown passes in each season, compiling 38 in '95, 39 in '96 and 35 in '97, and the Packers were the best team in the NFL during that stretch. 

Looking back on his career, that three year period was the high point of Favre's NFL tenure. 

Packers Finally Win the Central

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31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers waves to crowd after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Despite being bruised and battered throughout the game, including possibly coughing up blood, Favre led the Packers past the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week of 1995 to win Green Bay's first division title since 1979. 

The signature moment of the game should have been when Favre threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Mark Chmura after taking a vicious hit the play before.

However, Yancy Thigpen's easy drop in the end zone with under a minute left was the lasting memory of the Packers' biggest win in 16 years.

History Made in Super Bowl XXXI

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26 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Antonio Freeman of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown on an 81 yard reception from quarterback Brett Favre at 14:04 in the second quarter during the Green Bay Packers versus the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI at

In the biggest game of Favre's life, and after New England had retook the lead on the Packers, Favre proceeded to find his favorite target for a then-Super Bowl record 81-yard touchdown. 

Antonio Freeman's long touchdown gave the Packers the lead, and Green Bay wouldn't lose it again in Super Bowl XXXI. 

The Packers would end up winning, 35-21, and Favre had brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown for the first time in 29 seasons.

The Legend is Officially Born

Everyone knows the story of Sep. 20, 1992.

Favre comes off the bench for an injured Don Majikowski and throws a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kitrick Taylor that beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 24-23.

Favre would be the Packers starting quarterback for the next 16 seasons.

Everyone was a Favre Fan That Night

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 22: Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers passes against the Oakland Raiders December 22, 2003 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Regardless if you loved him or hated him, everyone was a Brett Favre fan on Dec. 22, 2003. 

A day after his father had passed away, Favre had one of the games of his life against the Oakland Raiders. 

Favre threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns as the Packers won, 41-7.

Exciting Start to the Super Bowl

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26 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Andre Rison of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball in for a touchdown during Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Steph

On just the Packers second offensive play of Super Bowl XXXI, Favre found Andre Rison on a 54-yard touchdown. 

Very few remember the touchdown catch specifically, but everyone knows how Favre ran around the field with his helmet in the air in celebration.