As the legendary Brett Favre set foot on Lambeau Field Saturday, he had a welcome fit for a hero, or rather a Green Bay Packer Hall-of-Famer. More than 67,000 tickets were sold for Lambeau Field’s lower bowl, and the team sold those in about an hour and a half.
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Of course, at the time of the boo-your-lungs-out reception Favre received upon his return to Lambeau Field with the Vikings in 2009, the idea of him coming back to celebrate his illustrious 16-year with the Packers seemed far-fetched. It was the move that would spark the revival of one of the league’s marquee franchises. It was almost seven years ago when the Green Bay Packers did what was once unthinkable by trading their legendary quarterback, Brett Favre.
Favre clearly wanted to use the opportunity to heal any wounds inflicted by an unpopular departure that saw Favre finish his career by playing for the Vikings.
It’s his successor, current Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. And now I was trading a 1 for a guy named Brett Favre.
He’ll be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer.
“I don’t care, I love Brett Favre“. Favre’s first postseason victory came the following season and in spectacular fashion, connecting with Sterling Sharpe for a touchdown to beat Barry Sanders and the Lions in Detroit. He was fun to watch. The Packers have since won a Super Bowl and were a few minutes away from reaching the big game again last season.
The Favre-Packers story feels complete now, with Packers fans finally being able to express how much they appreciate what Favre did for the franchise.
Favre made the Packers a must-see in Wisconsin and a regular on national TV, too. I remember one holding up a sign saying “We’ll never forget you, Brent!”
“Favre said he doesn”t even want to think about Lambeau Field belonging to him because that would diminish the contribution all the players, coaches, administrators, trainers, equipment managers, maintenance people and others played in making the Packers what they are now. Wolf had Favre rated as the best player in the 1991 draft and he planned on taking him with the Jets pick immediately after the Falcons.
It’s a long time until Favre’s number is retired in November.
“I understand this night is about me”, Favre said, “I’d like to think it’s about us. I mean, are you kidding me?”.
Packers president Mark Murphy said he also initially wasn’t sure what kind of turnout to expect on Saturday night.
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“I have played elsewhere, and there is nothing like this place”.
