So many people think it’s all about the touchdowns, the wins, the trophies and the final numbers. All of that is important, and it almost always does the talking. But it’s about much more than that. It’s about the gutsy performances, the milestones and the moments that separate the great from the good, and sometimes, the awful occasions.

Brett Favre had all of that, and more some. To be a quarterback, you have to have a desire to carry the team on your back – or at the very least, place your head on the chopping block if the team goes sideways.

The lockout has successfully disrupted many things training camps, free agency and workouts included. But at least we have these fond Favre memories to look back on in the month that is July. That is of course if he has – you know – retired for good this time.

10. Dec. 18, 1994 – Marching In Milwaukee

In just his third year as a Green Bay Packer, Brett Favre once again finds himself in the history books as he leads Green Bay to a last second 21-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The win marked the final game to be played at County Stadium, and one of many close come from behind wins for the Packers.

9. Sep. 27, 2009 – The Miracle in Minnesota

Just three weeks into his new – and rather captivating career as a Minnesota Viking – Favre shows his critics that multiple surgeries, plus a 40 year old body doesn’t always equal a weak and fragile arm. Yet again coming from behind in the fourth quarter, Favre finds an open Greg Lewis at the back of the endzone to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 27-24 in his third consecutive win as a member of the Vikings.

8. Nov. 12, 1995 – Guts and Greatness vs. Chicago

Finding early gems in Favre’s career is no hard task, and neither is it difficult to recall repeat performances against the rival Chicago Bears throughout his double decade career. Playing with an injured hip, whilst also battling against a heavy rain storm in the unpredictable confines of Soldier Field, Favre blows out the Bears 33-6. The Packers then went into the postseason with an 11-5 record, before losing to the Dallas Cowboys 38-27 in the NFC Championship Game.

7. Jan. 20, 2008 – NFC Championship Collapse

One of Favre’s less memorable moments came during the 2007/08 season, as the Packers entered the playoffs with a 13-3 record, only to fall apart in the NFC Championship Game. At the time, the Packers were perhaps favorites to capture their fourth ring, but a Favre interception in overtime ended any chance. The interception then led to a New York Giants field goal to win the game 23-20, and although this loss was painful for Packer fans, it was nonetheless memorable from an always interception prone Favre.

6. Sep. 13, 1992 – Favre to Favre

After mild anticipation from Packer fans, Favre completes his first pass in the NFL to himself. After dropping back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1992 season, Favre’s pass takes a deflection and lands in his own hands – only to result in a seven yard loss on the play.

5. Sep. 20, 1992 – Replacing Don Majkowski, The Start of It All

Before Favre became the surefire Hall of Famer he is today, some Packer fans were unsure of their backup quarterback in 1992 – that is until he was forced to replace the injured Don Majkowski against the Cincinnati Bengals. Favre’s leap into the deep end was far from comfortable though, as he fumbled four times in the game, and sent the crowd into a chorus of calls. However, the Packers wound up stealing a victory following a last second touchdown to wide receiver Kitrick Taylor, which won the game 24-23.

4. Jan. 26, 1997 – Super Bowl XXXI

In stylish fashion, Favre ends the Packers 29 year Super Bowl drought by leading Green Bay to a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Louisiana. The win earned the Packers their third Super Bowl ring – and also placed Favre alongside Bart Starr as one of the Packers greats – yet it also marked the only championship success in Favre’s two-decade long career.

3. Sep. 30, 2007 – Leapfrogging Dan Marino

After accomplishing a Super Bowl victory, numerous Pro Bowl appearances and three MVP awards between 1995-97, Favre adds another page in his journal by leapfrogging Dan Marino’s all-time touchdown record. Inside the enemy lines of Minnesota, the backdrop was perhaps so out of whack that it may have made it even more special. After completing his 421^st career touchdown to Greg Jennings, Favre celebrates his 82 yard hurl, even with some Viking fans applauding.

2. Aug. 18, 2009 – The Rival Switch

After a long and tedious offseason of round-the-clock media watch and aerial shots of Favre’s plane landing, D-Day comes as he signs with the rival Minnesota Vikings in 2009. All of this follows a rather brief stay with the New York Jets, which then led to a 2009 sweep of the Packers followed by an NFC Championship loss to the New Orleans Saints. In this time, Favre also passes Viking great Jim Marshall’s streak of consecutive games started.

1. Dec. 22, 2003 – Monday Night Memory In Oakland

By far one of Favre’s most memorable performances in his lengthy career came against the Oakland Raiders, just a day hours after his father Irvin Favre passed away. Although some may argue that Favre’s Super Bowl success or various other milestones are worthy of the top spot, Favre’s 399 yard game and four touchdown performance in the Oakland Coliseum marked one of few rare moments where all football fans  stopped to acknowledge Favre’s bravery.  The Packers won with ease, 41-7, as Favre threw only eight incomplete passes on the evening.

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