Football isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. That’s what makes this sport different.
Football, however, may be changing. Watch any game, any Sunday.
Perhaps nobody is more qualified to thoroughly dissect the inherent danger of this sport quite like Brett Favre.
Name an injury, he likely had it. Concussions? More than he can count.
Through the NFL’s golden age, the three-time MVP somehow started 321 straight games. A record that may never be broken despite the owners treating quarterbacks today like 32 bubble boys. On Episode 3 of “FAVRE,” we take a big-picture look at the sport itself with Favre’s iron-man streak as the launching pad. The longtime Green Bay Packer is once again extremely candid on everything.
You can listen to the full episode above or watch it below completely ad-free, sponsor-free. I greatly treasure our independence at Go Long — we’re powered by you. Our readers, our listeners. Current subscribers, thank you. For those considering a subscription, we’d love to have you join our community.
As always, you can listen right in Apple or wherever you get your pods, too. Click “Listen On” next to the audio player to link up your RSS feed if you’d like.
Also: VIP members at Go Long are able to join the call and ask Favre anything. Click here to become a VIP. In addition to this Favre access, I’ll also mail you a Go Long sweatshirt (hoodie or crew) and a signed copy of “The Blood and Guts: How Tight Ends Save Football.”
Here’s what is discussed throughout our lively 83 1/2-minute discussion this episode:
Quarterbacks who impress Favre five weeks into this 2023 season with a close look at the San Francisco 49ers’ godsend: Brock Purdy. (He also admires Baker Mayfield’s leadership. Earmuffs, kids, on the Andy Janovich quote.)
The streak. A true love for the game drove Favre to always, always, always play on. Is such a passion becoming antiquated?
Painkillers sure helped Favre start every game early in his career. He’d always take his pills with a beer. (And the beer teammates turned down.)
Which injury was the most difficult for Favre to play through his two decades in the NFL?
We discuss football — true football — and why there’s nothing else like it. You know at a very young age whether this sport is for you or not.
You might’ve seen Favre’s name in the news last week. He says his deposition in the Mississippi civil suit is not this month, but that he’s eager for the opportunity to speak. I ask Favre about the damage done to his reputation.
In 2023, Favre sees the sport transforming into something new: “Flag football with pads.” That’s swell for the long-term health of quarterbacks — he’d know. But at what cost? Is the sport losing itself with so many flags and fines dulling the instincts of defensive players? He watched Bills-Jaguars on Sunday morning with similar angst.
The hypocrisy of pontificating about player safety while adding a regular-season game. That 18th game won’t be far behind, too. Yet, Favre makes a smart point. Players who enjoy the physical contact will also be increasingly OK with danger being siphoned out of the sport… if they see the financial benefits all around.
VIP questions! Favre explains why it was always nice to joke around with officials. Also, who was his favorite receiver?
An Andy Reid story he’ll never forget.
FULL VIDEO:
Previous episodes of “FAVRE” below:
Ep 1: Reliving an unforgettable moment in NFL history
Ep 2: Bar fights, throat-slashes and the car crash that could've killed him
FAVRE: The unique attrition of football