Brett Favre
You asked, now Packers.com looks to answer. As part of the 'Ask Packers.com' project, over the past week the Packers' official web site has been flooded with questions about the organization, both past and present.
It's tough to know exactly where to begin answering, but it's hard to go wrong with Brett Favre. While we couldn't get to all the questions about the three-time MVP, here are answers to a few of the many questions regarding the Packers franchise quarterback.
What player did Atlanta draft using the pick the Packers traded to the Falcons in exchange for Brett Favre? -- Ed (Clifton, NJ)
You are one of many to ask this question.
The history of Brett Favre's arrival in Green Bay dates back to the 1991 NFL Draft in which the Packers acquired the 17th overall draft choice of the 1992 draft in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1992, the Packers traded that 17th overall choice to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Brett Favre, who was coming off a rookie season in which he appeared in two games, tossing two interceptions among his 0-for-5 passing.
The Falcons then traded back two places in the draft with the Dallas Cowboys, thus owning the 19th overall selection. With that 19th pick, the Falcons drafted running back Tony Smith, a former teammate of Favre's from Southern Mississippi.
Smith was the second backfield player selected in the 1992 draft, behind Stanford fullback Tommy Vardell who went to the Cleveland Browns with the ninth pick, but he was also sought for his return abilities. As a senior at Southern Miss, Smith had averaged 164.56 total yards per game, better than Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard (159.0). And he was coming off an MVP performance at the Senior Bowl in which he ran for 72 yards on 12 carries.
Smith played three NFL seasons with the Falcons, but only spent time in the backfield as a rookie, gathering 329 yards on 87 carries (3.8 avg.) with two touchdowns. Over a three-year career as a special teams player he averaged 8.7 yards per punt return (56 returns, 485 yards, 0 touchdowns) and 23.8 yards per kickoff return (61 returns, 1,453 yards, 1 touchdown).
His best performance came in a Monday Night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993, when he returned six kickoffs for a combined 249 yards (41.5 average).
Smith is also noteworthy for being the recipient of Atlanta's first handoff inside the Georgia Dome in the stadium's inaugural game in 1992. His 32-yard opening scamper would stand as the Falcons' longest rush of the season according to team statistics.
In case you were wondering who the Falcons could have taken with the 17th pick, Dallas drafted Texas A&M cornerback Kevin Smith with that selection, before the San Francisco 49ers nabbed Washington defensive back Dana Hall with the 18th pick.
In what game did Brett Favre have the most passing yards? -- Donte (New Haven, CT)
In a game at Chicago, Favre completed 36-of-54 passes for 402 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions in a 30-17 loss, December 5, 1993.
When was the last time Brett Favre ever threw 400 yards in a game and lost?* -- Michael (Green Bay, WI)*
The previously mentioned performance is the only time Favre has passed for more than 400 yards. His next most productive games in terms of passing yardage are 395 yards vs. San Francisco in 1996 (23-20 win, OT), 390 vs. Tampa Bay in 1999 (26-25 win), 388 at Carolina in 1998 (37-30 win) and 366 at Detroit in 1994 (34-31 loss).
Who were the Packers playing when Brett Favre threw a 99-yard pass to Robert Brooks?* - David (Austin, TX)*
Favre's 99-yard strike to Robert Brooks was completed at Chicago in a game the Packers won 27-24 (September 11, 1995).
When Brett Favre first started with the Packers didn't he have #5 for a very short bit. I'm sure I recall him wearing it in a game. I was so surprised to see Paul Hornung's old number being used again it caught me by surprise. However, many people tell me I was only dreaming. Just wondering if I was seeing things or what. * -- George (San Antonio, TX)*
Apparently you were dreaming. Even after double-checking the preseason gameday rosters for the 1992 season (his first with the Packers), there is no record of Favre wearing any number but No. 4. He also wore No. 4 for the Atlanta Falcons and for Southern Mississippi.
However, it's possible that you are thinking of Don Majkowski, who in his rookie season of 1987 wore No. 5 before switching to No. 7 in 1988.
Where does Brett Favre rank in all-time records in career passing yards, touchdowns, efficiency, attempts and completions? Thank you, and this is a great idea. - Curt (Appleton, WI)
In NFL history, Favre is ninth all-time in passing yards (38,627), sixth all-time in touchdowns (287), seventh all-time in attempts (5,442) and sixth all-time in completions (3,311). He is ranked third in career passer rating (86.8) behind only Steve Young (96.8) and Joe Montana (92.3).
Who did Brett Favre complete his first pass to?* - Pat (Springfield, IL)*
Brett Favre completed his first official NFL pass to . . . Brett Favre. It happened September 13, 1992, at Tampa Bay. Taking over for starter Don Majkowski to start the second half, Favre and the Packers opened the third quarter at their own 18-yard-line. On the first play from scrimmage, Favre's pass attempt was deflected by Ray Seals. Favre caught the deflection, but went down for a loss of 7 yards.
Favre's first completion to a receiver came five snaps later when he connected with Sanjay Beach for an 11-yard gain. Favre also connected with Robert Brooks (15 yards) and Vince Workman (3 yards) on the same drive, which ended with a 33-yard field goal by Chris Jacke to give the Packers their first and only points of the game.
What team did Brett Favre play for back in high school? - Lisa (Yorkville, IL)
Hancock North Central High (Kiln, Miss.).
What was Brett Favre's major in college?* - Kyle (LaSalle, WI)*
Special education.
What is Brett's middle name? - Arthur (Arlington,Wa.)
Lorenzo.
Who was the last Packer to wear jersey # 4 before Brett Favre? - Joe (Manitowoc, WI)
Actually, this question was answered in the original intro to 'Ask Packers.com,' but it's a good thing many of you asked it again. After further review it turns out that Chuck Fusina wore No. 4 in 1986. In fact, kicker Dale Dawson was the last player to don No. 4 in an official game before Brett Favre. Dawson did so in four games in 1988.
Only five Packers have worn No. 4 all-time. The other two were Verne Lewellen from 1925-26, and Herm Schneidman from 1935-37.
If you submitted a question that wasn't answered in this week's segment, don't despair, because further answer columns will be posted in coming weeks. Stay tuned! Thanks for your support of Packers.com.
