Brett Favre may have went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a storied career with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and briefly the New York Jets, but his heart has always been with the team he grew up cheering for: the New Orleans Saints. Favre grew up in nearby Kiln, Miss., where he and his family remain ardent supporters of the black and gold. He still keeps up with the Saints, and he and his young grandson called Drew Brees to congratulate him after the Saints’ dramatic Week 1 victory over the Houston Texans.
Favre was watching again when Brees shattered the NFL record for career passing touchdowns — a record he once held himself, before Peyton Manning surpassed him. In an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio, Favre credited Brees for his personal success, and what he and Saints coach Sean Payton have accomplished together. He puts them up there against any other coach-quarterback duo in the league.
As far as that goes, Favre argues that Payton and Brees deserve the respect given to the New England Patriots. “Whether you like it or not, you just kind of expect (opponents to say), ‘Well, we can’t beat the Patriots ’cause they have (Bill) Belichick and (Tom) Brady.’ You know, you feel that way about Drew Brees, and I always like to include Sean Payton in this because I think that duo itself is by far the most prolific in history. It’s still writing their own record books.”
That’s some seriously high praise, and it’s coming from someone who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in the NFL. Favre’s comments just speak to the kind of respect Brees and Payton have earned around the league, and what kind of company they’ve joined after sustaining success for so long.
