A Special Tribute - Brett Favre

Today, I want to make a special tribute to one of the best football players ever - Brett Favre. He is one of the best players, not just because he is a quarterback and he holds a lot of records, but because he plays the game as it should be played. He plays with unbridled enthusiasm, a kid like spontaneity. He plays with respect to the game, the other players, and the fans, for which he is adored by everyone.

Brett has just completed his 17th NFL season, 16 of which has been with the storied Green Bay Packers. It's quite rare in this day of free agency, multi-million dollar per year contracts that a player will stay with one team. Brett was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991 and just played in two games for them in mop up duty at the end of games. He only threw 4 passes that year with 0 completions. Ron Wolf, new GM for the Packers, liked what he saw in the 2nd round draft pick from Southern Mississippi and traded the Falcons for a 1st round draft pick in 1992.

Favre and the team Wolf put around him added many more chapters to the most successful franchise in NFL history with another Super Bowl win in 1997 and another Super Bowl appearance the next year. The win in 1997 was the 12th NFL championship in club history. Mike Holmgren, the Packers coach from 1992-1998, never had a losing season with Favre at the helm. Favre only had one losing season with the Packers during his 16 years.

Favre now hold most of the NFL records for quarterbacks, including most touchdown passes (442), most wins (161), most yards (61,655), most completions (5,377), and most attempts (8,758). He was the NFL's Most Valuable Player three consecutive years from 1995-1997. Another record that is probably the most remarkable is 273 consecutive games started at quarterback including playoffs. This is a position that routinely gets hit in a defenseless, prone throwing position by 250 lb linebackers and 300 lb defensive linemen running at full speed. Best of all, he routinely downplays personal achievements and records for team goals.

These records may be why a lot of people respect and adore Brett Favre. But what really makes me respect him is what he does off the field and the challenges he has overcome. Favre has had many personal challenges throughout his life beginning with a near fatal car crash his senior year in college. Even before that, Favre almost did not get to play in college. Southern Miss already had 6 quarterbacks on roster his freshman year. He only got a scholarship because another player went to a different school the last week of the recruiting season. He was not heavily recruited because his Rotten Bayou high school team rarely passed in their T-wing offense. Also, his hometown of Kiln, Mississippi is a metropolis of 150 people, hardly noticeable.

He has had many personal challenges during his tenure in the NFL as well. He submitted himself during the off season to a drug clinic for becoming dependent on the pain killer vicodin in 1996. His father, Irvin, died in a car crash in 2003. His brother-in-law was killed in a ATV accident in 2004. His wife, Deanna, is a breast cancer survivor. Through all of these tragedies he continues his excellence on the field and off.

He generously commits his time and money to many charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

Brett embodies the persona that you want to look up to and emulate. This is why we can take many lessons from him to apply to our lives. Throughout the challenges and obstacles he has faced on and off the field, he continues to persevere. He ignores temporary setbacks and failures as if they never happened. He has the heart and drive of a champion.

These qualities fit in every aspect of our lives from financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Have we used our talents to the utmost? Have we overcome obstacles in our everyday life? Have we enjoyed life as a kid at play? Live like a champion!

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Revelations 2:3 (NIV)

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at the address below.
Email: DeltaInspire@panama-vo.com