Mike Woods column: Favre's off-field numbers the real hit

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Posted November 25, 2007

Mike Woods column: Favre's off-field numbers the real hit

Got a question for you to ponder today. Tell me, what do you think is Brett Favre's greatest record? It's hard, I know. These numbers, they're coming at us in a dizzying fashion now.

Consecutive games played, wins, touchdowns, completions, attempts, 300-yard passing games, three-touchdown passing games, most Wrangler jeans sold by an athlete.

All these numbers, each cementing the notion that Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.

So which is it for you? Which is the one you believe really sets Favre apart?

For me, it's none of the above. For me, it's the number … well … ah, don't know the exact number. Have no idea. But neither does anybody else. But what I do know is it's far more impressive than any of the ones above.

OK, I can tell you need some explaining. So here we go.

I attended this Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley fundraiser a couple of weeks back. During the auction portion of the evening, a framed jersey signed by Favre went for $3,400. A short time later, a framed and signed photo of Favre and Bart Starr collected $3,500.

(Now I'm not sure what this says exactly, but a signed and framed jersey of baseball Hall of Famer and former Brewer Robin Yount was also available that night with a required minimum bid of $500. It received no bids.)

So, I paused for a bit and began to think about how many like events go on throughout our state, and in different parts of the country, each year. Then I thought about how many years Favre has been around, and the amount of money that has been raised for charity by not only simply putting his name on something, but through the charitable works of his Favre Fourward Foundation, and that of his wife Deanna's Hope Foundation.

Then you try and figure out all the people the Favres have touched and helped over the years, the majority of which were aided unknowingly.

I think it's safe to say only God knows what those numbers are, but after 17 years in the NFL, 16 of which have been spent in the spotlight, it's reliable to believe it's in the millions when it comes to money raised, people touched and lives affected for the better.

There are reasons for this, of course. We've all bared witness to his transformation from wild child to responsible adult. His failures as a human being, his triumphs as an athlete, the tragedies and hardships endured by his family have all been shared in a very public way.

It's not what he's undergone, but how he's handled each instance that has struck a chord.

"If Brett Favre had not worked on being a better person, if he'd been obnoxious or arrogant (re: see Bonds, Barry) we would get excited for the records but not as fanatic as we are and certainly not as fanatic about the person,'' said Greg Lemke-Rochon, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley. "There's something instructive in that.

"You cheer not just for the incredibly talented athlete, but there is a strength of character there that is all too rare, at least in terms of what we see in the public eye.''

Therein lies the hook. It's why it works so well for all involved, and it's why Favre's name can fetch the kind of dollars that are so meaningful, and vital, to charities.

According to the Favre Fourward Foundation Web site, it has donated over $3 million since it was established in 1996 to provide aid to disadvantaged or disabled children who reside in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

But that's just part of the power of his name.

Jeff's Sports, Inc., out of Milwaukee, an authorized national distributor for Favre memorabilia, has worked with Favre since 1992 and supplied items for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley fundraiser.

"I wouldn't even know where to start,'' said Bill Raffel, vice president of distribution of Jeff's Sports, Inc., of the dollars Favre's items have raised for their charitable clients over the years. "I couldn't even hazard a guess, not in dollars and cents.''

But Raffel says Jeff's Sports takes part in approximately 180 charitable auctions a year – on a consignment basis -- and, as a rule, one-third of all items requested are Favre related.

That's lots and lots of money that go to good causes, such as some of Jeff's Sports clients like the muscular dystrophy association, special Olympics and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Talk to those who've been around Favre and he's flummoxed why his signature means so much to people. He just doesn't get it. And it's doubtful he has a clear idea of how his popularity, and that of his wife Deanna, have help so many people in need.

"I'm not sure he does,'' said Bob Harlan, the Packers chairman and chief executive officer. "It's wonderful, but I don't know if he realizes how popular he is, and not just in this city and state. But people call me all the time and just want to talk about him, or send me letters about him. It's phenomenal.''

Taking time to raise money to help others is one thing, spending time for people in need is another. Favre has excelled at both which is why, perhaps more than any other reason, he's hall of fame material.

"This kind of stuff hits home with him,'' said Aaron Popkey, manager of corporate communications for the Packers and also a member of the board of directors for the Favre Fourward Foundation.

"Make-a-Wish kids, he takes it seriously. The little time he's able to devote to it, he's able to clear his mind and focus on the kid and his family. All the stuff he has to go through and all the B.S. you see from being in the league 17 years, it's still a big deal for him to do that.

"It's hard to put a money value on a smile from a sick child's face or family members who have lost some one.''

There was a letter Favre received recently from a 10-year-old boy from Iowa. His 12-year-old brother was killed in an auto accident and wrote Favre to tell him about his brother while also saying how he looked up to him for strength, citing Favre's ability to carry on after the death of his father.

Arrangements were made and Favre showed up and surprised the boy and his younger brother.

"What do you say to a 10-year-old who just lost his brother?'' said Popkey. "But he just has an easy way about him. He may crack a joke or just ask him what he's up to and let him just enjoy the moment and ease their pain a little bit, without ever mentioning his brother.

"He has an amazing ability to do that and to see it happen is fun too. And later on he'll ask about them, 'Say, whatever happened to …' It stays with him; he's affected by them.''

We all understand what he's accomplishing as a football player at age 38 is remarkable. We all get the numbers he's achieving on the field put him in a special category.

But it can't possibly compare to the numbers he's put up in money raised and time spent to make this community and this world a better place for those less fortunate.

It's easy to argue those numbers, whatever they may be, are far more impressive and certainly far more important.

Mike Woods can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 232, or mwoods@postcrescent.com