by Brett Favre’s Amazing Iron Man Streak
Brett Favre is known as one of the toughest and most durable quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. From 1992 to 2010, Favre started in an incredible 297 consecutive regular season games, a record that may never be broken. However, what’s often lost in discussions of Favre’s legendary streak is that it was not actually a streak of wins – there were plenty of losses mixed in along the way. Favre’s streak showcased his incredible mental and physical toughness, as he battled through injuries, adversity and personal struggles to take the field game after game for almost two decades. Let’s take a deeper look at Favre’s amazing iron man streak and the context surrounding his remarkable run of consecutive starts.
Getting His Chance in Atlanta
Favre was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. As a young quarterback out of Southern Miss, he spent his rookie year as the third-string quarterback behind veteran starters Chris Miller and Billy Joe Tolliver. Favre saw very limited action that season, appearing in only one game and not throwing a single pass. After the 1991 season, the Falcons traded Favre to the Green Bay Packers for a first-round pick. This trade ended up being one of the most lopsided deals in NFL history, as it allowed Favre to get his opportunity to start and launched one of the greatest careers for a quarterback the league has ever seen.
Starting Strong in Green Bay
Favre was inserted as the starting quarterback for the Packers in 1992 after injuries to Don Majkowski. In his first career start on September 20, 1992 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Favre threw for an NFL rookie record 362 yards in a 24-23 loss. This performance showed Favre’s big arm and fearlessness right away. He went on to start the remaining 15 games that season, finishing with 3,227 passing yards and an NFL best 81.0 quarterback rating for a rookie. Favre led the Packers to an NFC wild card berth and proved he was the unquestioned starter going forward. From that first start on September 20, 1992 until his final game on January 3, 2010, Favre would go on to start every single game for the Packers, Jets and Vikings, an incredible streak of 297 consecutive games started.
Early Success and Super Bowl Glory in Green Bay
In his first few seasons as the Packers’ starter, Favre led the team to the playoffs three times between 1992-1994 but came up just short of the Super Bowl. In 1995, Favre had arguably the greatest individual season for a quarterback in NFL history. He threw for a then NFL record 4,413 yards and 38 touchdowns, leading the Packers to an NFC-best 11-5 record. In the playoffs, Favre continued his dominance by throwing 6 touchdowns and just 1 interception. He capped off his magical season by winning Super Bowl XXX, defeating the New England Patriots 35-21 and being named Super Bowl MVP. At age 26, Favre had already reached the pinnacle of his sport.
Overcoming Adversity Early in Streak
Favre’s consecutive starts streak was impressive given that it spanned such a long career playing a violent contact position. In the early years, he battled through injuries like separated shoulders, ankle sprains, and concussions to take the field each week. In 1996, Favre played through a severe ankle sprain suffered in Week 2, then missed two games in 1997 with an elbow injury, the only time he was sidelined during this amazing run. In 1998, Favre suffered a concussion in Week 5 but still started the next game, showing his toughness. Playing through pain became Favre’s normal, as he refused to miss any time, not wanting to let his team or the fans down. His commitment to availability helped establish his reputation as the NFL’s ultimate iron man.
Continued Success and MVP Honors
From 1995-2007, Favre enjoyed tremendous individual success as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL for over a decade. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 9 times and earned 3 first-team All-Pro selections during this span. Favre led the Packers to the playoffs 9 times between 1995-2007, reaching the NFC Championship game 4 times and returning to the Super Bowl after the 1996 season, though they lost to the Denver Broncos. In 1995 and 1996, Favre won back-to-back NFL MVP awards, cementing his status among the league’s elite players. His play reinvigorated a Packers franchise that had been mostly dormant prior to his arrival in 1992. Favre threw for over 4,000 yards in 7 different seasons, numbers that were unheard of for quarterbacks in the 1990s.
Overcoming Personal Adversity Off the Field
While enjoying tremendous success on the field, Favre also battled personal issues off of it. In 1996, his father Irvin passed away from a heart attack at age 58. Favre started the next game for the Packers just days after the funeral. Later in his career, Favre’s battle with alcohol and painkiller addiction became public, though he continued to start every game. His drinking problems led to a public intoxication arrest in 1996 and two drunk driving arrests in 1997 and 2003. Through it all, Favre persevered in his playing career, using the game as an escape from his personal troubles. His ability to compartmentalize and consistently perform at a high level, despite issues in his personal life, further demonstrated his mental fortitude.
Streak Continues into Late Career
As Favre aged, he continued putting up big numbers on a yearly basis. From 2001-2007, he threw for over 4,000 yards in 5 out of 7 seasons. In 2003 at age 33, Favre enjoyed one of his finest statistical seasons ever, throwing for 32 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. In 2004 at age 35, he led the Packers to the NFC North title and was selected to the Pro Bowl. Many quarterbacks decline sharply in their mid-30s, but Favre played at a Pro Bowl level throughout this stage of his career thanks to his legendary work ethic, workout regimen and toughness. His consecutive starts streak allowed him to climb the NFL’s all-time leaderboards in almost every major passing category as he entered his late 30s.
Overcoming Injuries Late in Streak
The incredible mental and physical fortitude Favre showed earlier in his career continued even as he aged. In 2005 at age 36, Favre played through a broken thumb on his throwing hand, an ankle sprain, and concussion to start all 16 games and lead the Packers to the playoffs. The next season in 2006, he played through a separated shoulder and heavily bruised hip to again start every game. Favre’s pain tolerance became legendary around the league. Team doctors, trainers and coaches marveled at his ability to gut through injuries that would sideline almost any other player. His commitment to availability and toughness inspired teammates and fans alike well into his late 30s, keeping the Packers competitive on a yearly basis.
Streak Continues with Jets and Vikings
After 16 seasons with the Packers, Favre was traded to the New York Jets in 2008 following a falling out with the Packers front office. At age 38, many questioned if he still had anything left. Favre proved his doubters wrong by starting every game for the Jets in 2008, throwing for over 3,000 yards. After one season in New York, Favre announced his retirement again. However, he came out of retirement once more in 2009 to sign with the division rival Minnesota Vikings. At age 40, Favre enjoyed arguably his best statistical season ever, throwing for 33 touchdowns and leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. He started every game that season, becoming the oldest quarterback ever to lead the league in passing yards. Favre’s consecutive starts streak finally came to an end in 2010 at 297 games, when he missed the final game of the season with an injury.
Legacy of Toughness and Availability
Brett Favre redefined what it meant to be durable and available as an NFL quarterback. His record streak of 297 consecutive starts showed an incomprehensible level of mental and physical toughness. Where other players would miss time, Favre gutted through injuries like separated shoulders, ankle sprains, concussions and more. He played through broken bones, torn ligaments and never used pain or adversity as an excuse to miss a game. Favre inspired tremendous loyalty from teammates and fans with his refusal to sit out. His legacy of iron man toughness is unmatched in the history of professional football. More than just a record, Favre’s streak reflected his incredible competitive fire that burned for two decades in the NFL.
