Written by the Associated Press at USAToday.com
Brett Favre was equal parts desperado and virtuoso during his 20-year NFL career that was predicated on taking big risks in the game’s biggest moments.
That style never paid off more handsomely than when he hit Andre Rison with a long TD toss on an audible that kick-started his lone Super Bowl victory. And it never backfired so spectacularly as when he threw careless, late interceptions in two NFC championships.
Favre’s unorthodox style made for one of the most exciting, colorful careers the league has seen.
“Brett Favre’s in the top-5 as far as the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game,” suggested Hall of Famer John Elway, who led Denver past Favre’s Packers for the first of his two Super Bowl triumphs in the late 1990s. “He was a gunslinger and he wasn’t afraid to fail. That’s what made him great.”
It’s what landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the headliner next weekend of a class that includes Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel, Ed DeBartolo Jr., Tony Dungy, Kevin Green, Marvin Harrison and Orlando Pace.
Those who cringed as Favre threw off his back foot or across his body to well-covered receivers labeled him a riverboat gambler. His coaches, especially Mike Holmgren, walked a fine line trying to curb his gaffes without cropping his greatness.
The punctilious Peyton Manning would break many of his NFL records after Favre’s retirement in 2011, but Favre still has the longest consecutive starts streak as well as records for most completions, attempts — and interceptions — while ranking second to Manning in TD throws and passing yards.
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler said Green Bay’s defense takes the bulk of the blame for the 286 passes picked off during Favre’s time in Green Bay “because we told him, ‘Be yourself. We’ll go get the ball back.’ When he did that, it was easy for his talent to take over.”
Showing up week after week, year after year, Favre piled up records and accolades. Yet, it was his unparalleled passion that set him apart.
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