Early Life and College Football at Southern Mississippi

Brett Favre, a former American football quarterback, was born on October 10, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was raised in the small town of Kiln by his parents, Irvin and Bonita Favre, both of whom were schoolteachers. Of French heritage, Brett grew up as the second of four children and demonstrated a strong interest in football from an early age. In high school, he played multiple positions, including placekicker, strong safety, lineman, and quarterback, showcasing his versatility on the field.

Favre accepted a football scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi, the only school to offer him one. Although initially expected to play in a defensive position, he insisted on trying out for quarterback. His persistence paid off, and by his freshman season in 1987, he started 10 games, leading the Golden Eagles to six victories. One of his most memorable college moments occurred on September 2, 1989, when he led a dramatic comeback by throwing a game-winning touchdown with just 23 seconds left on the clock.

Entry into the NFL and Rise with the Green Bay Packers

Favre was selected 33rd overall in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He signed a contract worth $1.4 million, including a $350,000 signing bonus. However, his time in Atlanta was brief. After a single season in which he saw limited playing time, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1992 for a first-round pick.

Favre’s career took off in Green Bay, where he played for 16 seasons. He became the first player ever to win the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award three times consecutively (1995–1997). During his tenure with the Packers, he led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXXI and earned widespread recognition for his resilience and leadership. Notably, Favre started every single game from September 27, 1992, to January 20, 2008, establishing a then-record streak for consecutive starts by a quarterback.