Brett Favre is one of the most popular quarterbacks today although he didn’t start out in the NFL as any promising, let alone, the potential to be successful. Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round, 33rd in the overall pick, and was a third string quarterback for the Falcons. His numbers should nothing exciting or that he had the potential to become a great quarterback, he was more popular for his partying and arguments with his then head coach, Jerry Glanville.
Favre was born in Kiln, Mississippi on October 10, 1969. He played almost every position at his high school, Hancock North Central, in Kiln, which is a very small town. He played quarterback, strong safety, lineman, place kicker and punter. His father, Irvin Favre, was his coach and knew his son had a strong arm. Favre received one scholarship after high school to Southern Miss, which wanted him to pay defensive back. During his college playing years, he showed signs of being great leading his team to more than one comeback. A couple of times, his comebacks were big upsets against top teams.
Favre’s college career and life almost came to a halt when he was involved in a tragic car accident. Miraculously, Favre survived the accident and in 1991 was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as a back up quarterback. Favre was unsuccessful in Atlanta and eventually was traded to the Green bay Packers. At that time, Favre was diagnosed with the same degenerative hip condition that ended Bo Jackson’s career but Favre ignored the doctors’ belief that he would no longer be able to play football. And were they wrong. Favre went on to have one of the greatest football careers playing starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. In Green Bay and all over the NFL, Favre is known as the comeback kid. He has pulled off a number of great comebacks to lead his team to victory.
Favre suffered a tragedy in 2003 when his father, Irvin, was killed in a one-car accident. Reports say he died of a sudden heart attack while driving. Despite all of Favre’s personal tragedies and professional problems, his heavy drinking during his early career years, and in 1996 when he admitted he had an addiction to pain killers, Favre has overcome and become one of the all time favorite quarterbacks in the NFL. He is the NFL’s only three-time MVP player and is ranked among the best in quarterback ratings. The 2006 season is expected to be Favre’s last year playing in the NFL he will definitely be missed.
