Brett Favre Reunion With Packers Will Help Quarterback’s Legacy

Brett Favre and the Packers had a messy break-up in 2008, but the two appear headed for reconciliation just in time for the quarterback’s induction to the Hall of Fame.

The all-time NFL leader in touchdowns and passing yards, Favre had been on bad terms with the Packers since leaving the team after the 2007 season. Favre retired after the season, but after he changed his mind Favre not taken back by Green Bay, which by then had moved on to Aaron Rodgers as their starter.

After a few weeks of negotiations, including the Packers denying Favre’s request for an unconditional release, the team eventually let him go and Favre joined the New York Jets. After one season he bolted New York, joining the Packers rival Minnesota Vikings.

Sore feelings for Packers fans and management remained, but now that Favre has retired it appears the team is ready to bury the hatchet. Favre joined Aaron Rodgers this year in presenting the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award, and Rodgers later suggested that the team should retire Favre’s jersey.

The Packers have now made good on that idea, saying they plan to retire Favre’s No. 4 jersey.

“It’s really just a question of timing in terms of retiring his jersey,” said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. “The timing has to be right for both Brett and the organization. Brett will be a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2016, and we would like to retire his number prior to his induction.”

Murphy had suggested the idea of retiring Favre’s jersey last year, but at that time Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers were still on bad terms.

The timing now seems perfect for Brett Favre to reunite with the Packers. Though he ended his career on the Vikings, Favre is arguably the most well-known and iconic Packers player of all time. The reunion could also help fans forget the final few years of Favre’s tenure in the league, which were filled with the drama of unretirements and new teams.