Brett Favre turns 45 on Friday. To celebrate, he's giving us all a very special gift: He's coming out of retirement!
(Just kidding.)
In truth, we're commemorating Favre's special day not with that incredibly dated joke, but with a look back at 12 iconic images and moments from his career:
Draft day: April 21, 1991
Before many outside Mississippi knew his name, Favre, his family and his amazing jorts were waiting to hear the Southern Miss quarterback snagged by an NFL team. It happened in the second round, with the 33rd overall pick, and Favre became:
Brett Favre, Atlanta Falcon (1991)
Favre didn't dazzle as a rookie (0-for-4, two interceptions in two games) and didn't last long with his original team. Luckily, no one has ever mentioned until now that Atlanta might have given up too early on him.
Favre starts and doesn't stop (Sept. 27, 1992)
After being traded to cooler climes (for a first-rounder, to be fair), Favre watched the Packers start 0-2, led Green Bay to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in relief, then made his first start in yellow and green against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Green Bay won 17-3, which was the beginning of a repeating theme (Packers winning, Favre starting).
Super Brett (Jan. 26, 1997)
After four winning seasons without much else to show, the Packers hoisted the Super Bowl trophy for the first time in 29 years, beating the New England Patriots 35-21. Desmond Howard won MVP, but Favre didn't do too badly himself (14-of-27, 246 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown). And wouldn't you know it: The game took place in the nearest NFL stadium to his hometown, New Orleans' Superdome.
A memorable Monday night (Dec. 22, 2003)
A day after the unexpected death of his father, Irvin, at just 58, Favre played one of the best games of his career, throwing for 311 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of a 41-7 win over the host Oakland Raiders. "I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play," Favre said. "I love him so much, and I love this game. It's meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn't expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight."
At home in the cold (1992-2004)
For a kid from Mississippi, Favre sure did well in the unforgiving freezing of Lambeau Field. Although his record tailed off in later seasons, Favre started his career an impressive 39-6 in starts when the game-time temperature was below 40 degrees (between 1992 and 2004).
Record breaker (multiple dates, 2007)
When you mix durability and success, you often get records. This came true for Favre in 2007, when he knocked some all-timers off their spots atop numerous NFL passing charts. On Sept. 16 against the Giants, Favre snagged the quarterback wins record (this one from John Elway, not Dan Marino). Two weeks later at Minnesota, Favre passed Marino for the all-time lead in passing touchdowns. In December at the Rams came the yards record, also one that belonged to Marino. Favre still owns these and many more records although Peyton Manning is bearing down on many of them.
Frozen out (Jan. 20, 2008)
Favre's 2007 did not end happily, with a famously frigid NFC Championship Game going the way of the New York Giants 23-20 in overtime at Lambeau Field. Favre's final pass of the game -- his lone pass in overtime -- was intercepted, helping set up the winning field goal.
Favre's first retirement (March 2008)
He had flirted with retirement before, but this was the first time Favre said he wasn't coming back. "I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally," Favre told ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a voicemail. Shortly thereafter, Favre was brought to tears during an emotional retirement speech. It seemed he really was going, but
Favre becomes a Jet (Aug. 7, 2008)
Whispers of a Favre return began circulating within weeks, and in August it became official: Favre would be leaving the Packers but playing again -- this time in a New York Jets uniform. After 16 years in green and yellow, green and white looked
weird on Favre. (The season also had an awkward quality to it, as an 8-3 start gave way to a 1-4 finish and no playoff trip for New York.)
Favre the Iron Man (Dec. 6, 2009)
After retiring again, unretiring again, then joining the Minnesota Vikings, Favre set the record for most consecutive appearances -- quarterback or otherwise -- in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Favre's 2009 season in purple went mostly well (12-4 and a trip to the NFC Championship Game), but he again was intercepted late in a big game, allowing the New Orleans Saints to win in overtime and head to the Super Bowl. It would be the last playoff pass Favre ever would throw
Favre in retirement (present day)
or will it be? Yeah, probably. Hard to see a 45-year-old occasional assistant high school coach (pictured above in Lauderdale County, Mississippi) taking another NFL snap.
Still, we do hear the Jets might be looking for a QB again