The 10 Biggest Stories of the 2010 NFL Season, Number 5: Brett Favre's Consecutive Game Streak Ends
Brett Favre has been nothing short of inconsistent over the past few years.
In 2009, at the age of 40, he turned in the greatest season of his career, throwing 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while leading the Vikings within a play of the Super Bowl.
He was also great in 2003, 2004, and 2007, leading the Packers to the postseason all three times.
But he was mediocre, at best, in 2008, leading the NFL in interceptions, and he struggled in 2006 as well. And he was brutal in 2005.
One thing remained consistent however.
Brett Favre never missed a game. Ever.
In fact, entering 2010, he had played in 285 consecutive regular season games, as well as 24 more in the postseason.
Favre’s streak is the longest ever for a quarterback, more than six seasons ahead of Peyton Manning, who had played 192 consecutive regular season games (and 18 more in the postseason).
When 2010 began, Brett Favre was just one month shy of his 41st birthday.
Throughout the season, he performed poorly, throwing 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his first 10 games.
He did achieve one of the bigger milestones in NFL history, becoming the first quarterback to throw for 500 touchdown passes in a career.
And he played through a great deal of pain, as usual.
In week seven, Favre suffered two fractures to his left ankle in a game against the Green Bay Packers. Favre’s injury was as severe as any he’s sustained over the past 18 seasons, but he still played the next week, a heroic feat that didn’t receive near enough praise.
In week eight, Favre took a shot to the chin against the Patriots. The hit knocked him out of the game and required eight stitches. He returned to play in next week’s game.
In week 12 against the Buffalo Bills, Favre suffered a sprained AC joint of his right shoulder on a hit by Bills’ linebacker Arthur Moats. He left the game and did not return.
The next week against the Giants, for the first time since September of 1992, Brett Favre missed a start, ending the single most impressive streak in the history of professional sports.
Favre returned the following week against the Chicago Bears but suffered a concussion on a sack by defensive end Corey Wootton.
He did not play the next week against the Detroit Giants because he did not pass his concussion tests. And after the game, Favre retired.
This time, I believe it is for real.
The real test is to see if Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning can break Favre’s consecutive games streak. Manning needs to play 89 more games to tie Favre’s mark.
I’ll bet Manning doesn’t break the record.
I don’t think anybody ever will.
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