Brett Favre inducted into Green Bay Packers HOF

Photo Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images

A gunslinger, a risk taker, and a controversial figure, yet one of the greatest football players of All Time are all words that define the meritorious quarterback Brett Favre. The legend was honored this past Saturday at Lambeau Field with over 67,000 fans in attendance too see his induction into the team’s Hall of Fame, as well as the retirement of his No. 4.

Despite the controversy that ensued with his departure from Green Bay, the honor was long overdue.

Joining Don Hutson, Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Reggie White, and Tony Canadeo as the only Packers to have retired their numbers, Favre led a legendary 16-year stretch under center for Green Bay from 1992-2007.

It was inevitable for the man to have his jersey retired, as Favre’s history in Green Bay runs wild with a multitude of both franchise and NFL records as the Packers greatest quarterback ever.

For the record, Rodgers cannot be dismissed for his numerous accolades and when all is said and done, will probably be not just the franchise’s best, but the NFL’s best ever.

But that does not negate the current status of who truly is the best in green and gold, and it’s unanimously Favre. In his time, Favre accumulated 508 passing touchdowns (second best in NFL history) and a NFL best 71,838 passing yards and 302 wins.

Photo taken by Doug Mills of the Associated Press.

Owning just about all veteran passing records is not why Favre is the greatest Packer. Instead, the record that stands above them all is his 255 consecutive games played as a Packer.

While Favre doesn’t have a nickname – though one could say that the “Iron Man” is fitting for him – his record for starting games extends beyond what he did as a Packer, but as the leader in the NFL too.

He stood above the rest, proving to be the leader that consistently showed up for the Packers week in and week out.

Concussion, broken thumb, coughing up blood or completely healthy, Favre would show up in uniform, and while it wasn’t always pretty, he would deliver for his team. The man even delivered with four touchdowns and almost 400 yards the day after his dad’s passing.

Most notably though, Favre led the Packers to three consecutive NFC Championship games from 1995-1997, two consecutive Super Bowl appearances, and a win in 1996.

To add to that, the 11-time Pro Bowler was not just a three-time All Pro throughout those years, but a three time MVP as well.

Favre may have left Green Bay for another team in an abrupt and indecisive fashion – as he had supposedly contemplated retirement – but his 16 year tenure was nothing to sugarcoat.

His passion to play for Green Bay was emphasized to the utmost degree in every one of those 255 games he started consecutively. His departure from Green Bay was not his wish.

As a victim of prematurely retiring following his NFC Championship game campaign in 2007, his intention was to come back, not just to play football, but to play for the organization he loves.

Naturally, a complicated clause in his contract led to a highly publicized dispute with Packers management, after his official retirement at that time in March 2008.

Favre was heartbroken and had made repeated efforts to resolve the situation with management, but was forced out.

It was understandable to let Rodgers step in at the helm, but Favre’s loyalty to the Green Bay franchise was nothing to question. Green Bay has always been in his heart, even as a Jet or as a rival Viking.

To say he had a vengeance after he left Green Bay could not be farther from the truth, as his intentions were to solely play football, the only passion that exceeds Green Bay.

Reconciliation has taken place now, as evident by the warm welcome Favre received at Lambeau Field, with fans chanting, “MVP! MVP! MVP!”