Green Bay Packers quarterback and future Hall of Famer Brett Favre has been chosen as the 2007 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, the magazine said Tuesday.
The award, bestowed upon the athlete who best symbolizes in character and performance the ideals of sportsmanship, was announced by SI group editor Terry McDonell.
"Brett is a great winner, but this award recognizes much more than winning," said McDonell. "It recognizes performance off the field equally and celebrates the love of the game. Brett is having an astounding year on every level."
Favre is the winningest quarterback of all time and the NFL's leader in touchdown passes. He has started 249 consecutive games, the longest streak ever by an NFL quarterback. This season, his 16th in Green Bay, he tied Bart Starr for most seasons in a Packers uniform. He also broke Dan Marino's career records for touchdown passes and pass attempts on his way to leading the Packers to an NFC North division lead with a record of 10-2.
Favre's Sportsman credentials include a history of philanthropy. In 1996, Favre established the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation, which has donated more than $4 million to charities in Wisconsin and his home state of Mississippi, including $1 million raised to assist Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties on Mississippi's Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Favre is the fourth NFL player to be named Sportsman of the Year: Terry Bradshaw (1979, with Willie Stargell), Joe Montana (1990) and Tom Brady (2005) were the others. Favre is the first Green Bay Packer to earn the honor.
The Sportsman of the Year issue, dated Dec. 10, will hit newsstands this Wednesday. Favre will receive the award, a sterling silver trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co., at a party in his honor in New York City tonight. (Bizjournals.com)
I guess they didn't consider Peyton Manning, since he isn't so old and close to retirement... I'm just kidding, Teri!
