“A father’s tears and fears are unseen, his love is unexpressed, but his care and protection remain a pillar of strength throughout our lives.” Ama H. Vanniarachchy said this years ago, and it still resonates perfectly with all of us. Former NFL legend Brett Favre is no exception. He remembers every moment he shared with his father and rekindled those memories on a significant day with a heartfelt X post.

Favre remembered how his late father, Irvin Favre, always wanted him to play in the NFL and make a name for himself. Favre shared all the ups and downs of his life with him. Irvin passed away on December 21, 2003, as he suffered a fatal heart attack in Mississippi, and there is no doubt that Brett will always recall how much his father loved and supported him.

In a thread on X, Brett Favre expressed his feelings about his dad on the 21st death anniversary. He wrote, “This one hurts… Without my dad, there’d be: No HOF. No Packers ‘97 SB. and No MNF performance on Dec 22, 2003. No one would know my name.” From 1991 to 2010, Favre played in 20 seasons of the NFL. Yes, you read that right! And it was not just about the numbers on the gridiron, but about pouring his heart out. Where did this attitude come from? No doubt—his dad, Irvin.

In his second tweet of the post, he shared a video of his game against the then-Raiders team. Favre wrote, “My dad passed away Dec 21, 2003, and I dedicated this game vs. @Raiders to him the next day. It felt like a blur, and the fans were gracious to me in my time of hurt.” Veteran Packers fans also reacted and commented on this second post, reminiscing about that time and how Brett was a phenomenal quarterback.

In the final tweet, the 55-year-old couldn’t hold back, confessing, “Strong fathers are needed now more than ever, and I’m blessed to have had my dad push me the way he did. I miss you, Dad.” Indeed, it was his father who made him so strong that Favre chose to play in the iconic MNF game just a day after his father passed away. And look how he paid tribute to him!

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Favre completed nine consecutive passes to start the game. He threw two touchdown passes each in the first and second quarters, and for 311 yards in the first half alone as Green Bay led, 31-7 at halftime. Throughout the game, Favre’s teammates kept on embracing him and he also received an emotional hug from his wife in the fourth quarter. Eventually, he finished the night 22 of 30 for 399 yards.

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While the Packers did not win the Super Bowl that year, the win improved to 9-6, bettering their playoff position. But numbers became secondary to the emotion attached to the game. “I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much, and I love this game,” Favre had said, before driving back to Mississippi.

Brett Favre Grateful for Packers Fans

Brett spent an incredible 16 seasons in the Packers‘ locker room! It’s hard to be a Green Bay fan without missing those magnificent plays, even after their favorite player has retired. And Favre has always been grateful to Packers fans for all the love and support.

In an interview with ESPN, he declared his enduring legacy as a Green Bay Packer, his voice thick with emotion and pride. The superstar QB further thanked his fans, saying, “The connection I’ve had with fans—obviously in Green Bay, but fans in general—I think is different. A lot of players may say that, but I believe there’s always a connection and a perfect fit for me with Green Bay fans.”

Brett Favre’s tribute to his dad shows just how much Irvin influenced his life and career. Even years later, Favre still feels that connection and shares how much he misses him. He also took a moment to thank Packers fans for all their love and support throughout the years. It’s a reminder of how important strong father figures are and how the people who support us stick with us, no matter what.