Brett Favre Thanks Jesus, His 'Lord and Savior,' in Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech
After breaking a number of National Football League records during his 20-year playing career, legendary Green Bay Packers gunslinger Brett Favre was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last Saturday.
Favre, who holds the record for most regular season wins as a quarterback and owns or shares over 140 NFL records, was enshrined in the same hall as other quarterbacking legends in Canton, Ohio, this past weekend with quite a number of cheeseheads in attendance at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
"Thank you. I'm not surprised one bit at the Packer fans here," the 46-year-old Favre said in his acceptance speech. "This is incredible, incredible. So I thank you. Thank you, Canton. Thank you, Hall of Fame. Thank you Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The star of the Wrangler jeans commercials was introduced by his wife, Deanna, who also presented him with the gold hall of fame jacket.
"Believe me, I'm blessed. I'm an extremely blessed man," Favre said. "I look at my family, what a lucky man. To play a game that I love so much for 20 years, to have all the wonderful things happen, what a blessing. To share in that joy with you guys here tonight, what an incredible night, what an incredible week."
"And having my wife [Deanna] introduce me was an easy choice, considering she was there long before my first touchdown pass, long after the last," Favre added.
Favre, a Mississippi native, explained that he met his wife at a surprise birthday party for his older brother when he was 14 years old.
Also in attendance for the event was Favre's mother, Bonita.
Although his mother just had her hip replaced, Favre said that "by no means was she going to be put on waivers for this, she was going to be there." Favre recalled his mother teaching him the importance of being their for his children.
"My mother taught me that being there for your children is absolutely important. I never, not one time, remembered my parents ever not being there at a sporting event, any school function, you name it," Favre explained. "They were always there. We ate dinner together, we ate breakfast together, we rode to school together, we did everything together, and that's something that's been lost in this generation."
"I watched my mother teach special education at Hancock North Central High School for many, many years. And at that time, I didn't appreciate the patience and the type of person that it takes to do that type of job," Favre said. "But I learned by watching her and being around her students that treating everyone as an equal and with respect is not only important, but essential. So, Mom, I say thank you, I love you."
Favre also recalled the importance of his father, Irvin, who was also his high school football coach.
Although Irvin Favre ran a run-heavy offense, Favre recalled a moment when he overheard his father defending his son's abilities as a quarterback after a rough game in a conversation with other coaches. Favre said that the one statement from his father inspired him to "redeem" himself throughout his entire football career.
"So never discount the importance of being a father and the statements that you make," Favre advised. "Whether you think your kids hear, you're very important to your children. And the lesson is we come and go very quickly, so love them each and every day."
Indianapolis Colts coaching great Tony Dungy was also inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. During his acceptance speech, Dungy recalled the Bible verse that his mother taught him as a young kid.
"My mom taught us as a Christian, your character, your integrity and how you honor God were so much more important than your job title," Dungy said.
"One of her favorite Bible verses was Matthew 16:26: 'What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul,'" Dungy recited. "And I know that she's happy to know that her son never forgot that verse."
