It looks like the Green Bay Packers relationship with their former star quarterback; Brett Favre has found a “happy place.” Earlier this month, the franchise announced that it would honor Favre in 2015 as just their sixth Packer ever to have his number retired. The recognition comes just seven years after the Mississippi native left the team (not without controversy) after announcing his retirement. We all know the story, he then returned to football, to play for the New York Jets and then the Minnesota Vikings.
No date for the retirement of Favre’s number “4” jersey has been announced, though officials with the team told reporters that it will likely be a primetime game against a division opponent. Speculative minds have supposed that the Chicago Bears, the Packers long-time rivals, will likely be the visiting team. Spokespeople also revealed that they would like to celebrate Favre’s induction into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame that same night.
The date for the quarterback’s official induction has been set for July 18, 2015. He is the sole inductee of that year’s class. All five other retired jerseys have also been accepted into the Packers Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field, as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Retired Packers Jerseys Number in the Few
Don Hudson (14) was the first Packer to have his jersey retired, in 1951. Tony Canadeo (3) was retired the following year. It wouldn’t be until 20 years later that quarterback Bart Starr (15) would become the third Packers jersey to retire, in 1972. Ray Nitschke (66) had his number retired at a December 1984 game against the Bears, while the late Reggie White received the honor just one year after his death, in 2005.
Favre spoke with team officials and reporters through a video-conference call on the day of the announcement. He told them that despite the emotions surrounding his exit from the team in 2008, he was and always will be a Packer. He thanked the fans for their support of the decision and compared the shock of receiving the honor as similar to his first win with the team in 1992.
Since that win against the Bengals as a stand-in for the injured Don Majkowski, Favre amassed 9 pro bowl appearances, two NFC Championships, and one Super Bowl. He managed passing records in almost every category, highlighted by surpassing Dan Marino as the quarterback with the most receiving yards.
