GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brett Favre had one more memorable moment with the Green Bay Packers.
With cold, driving rain drenching Lambeau Field, the Packers unveiled Favre’s name and retired No. 4 on the stadium facade Thursday night during halftime of a 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Favre thanked his former teammates and fans as the crowd roared its approval. His family was on hand, too.
“They get to see what it’s like playing at Lambeau when it’s cold, windy and raining,” Favre said. “There’s nothing like it. I thank them so much for being so supportive all these years. And most importantly, I thank you.”
There was one more special welcome for Favre when Hall of Famer Bart Starr was driven to the middle of the field on a cart. Starr, 81, is recovering from two strokes and a heart attack. The two former quarterbacks embraced.
Later, Favre exchanged a handshake and hug with current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who replaced him as Green Bay’s starter in 2008.
The long-anticipated ceremony is the latest step in a lengthy reconciliation between the Packers and Favre, the three-time NFL MVP who helped revive a struggling franchise when he arrived in 1992. The Packers won one Super Bowl and went to another during Favre’s 16 seasons, but the sides had a messy divorce with the quarterback waffling about retirement.
This reunion didn’t seem likely after Favre was traded to the New York Jets in 2008. Favre then went to play for the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers’ NFC North archrivals, for two seasons. That was it for many Packers fans who deemed Favre a traitor.
Those days seem to be long gone now.
“All forgiven,” said Packers fan Jeremy Hasselbring, of Oak Creek, who was wearing a Packers Favre jersey.
Thumbnail photo via Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports Images
