Brett Favre's streak of 297 consecutive regular season starts (counting playoffs that number is 321) as a starting Quarterback comes to an end tonight when the Minnesota Vikings host the New York Giants in Detroit. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I was skeptical of the story when it first broke. I thought for sure that this was yet another publicity stunt from Brett Favre.
The streak started way back on September 27th 1992. Just how long ago was that? A rookie head coach by the name of Bill Cowher was coaching the opposing Pittsburgh Steelers. George H. W Bush was still President. Princess Diana was still married to Prince Charles. Matt Ryan was 7 years old. Peyton Manning was in High School. Mike Holmgren was in his first year as Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers. Andy Reid, Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron and John Gruden were all coaches on that Green Bay team . The NFL had only 28 teams. One of those 28 was the original Cleveland Browns. The Washington Redskins were the defending Super Bowl Champions and the Dallas Cowboys were actually good. In September of 1992 John Wall was 2 years old. The 2010 NHL #1 overall pick Taylor Hall wasn't even 1 yet and current teammate Percy Harvin was 4 years old.
According ESPN 238 other Quarterbacks have started a game in the NFL since the last time Favre missed one and 118 different Head Coaches have led a team in the same time frame.
I am far from a Brett Favre fan but the streak of 297 is still impressive. Yes, his ego and selfishness was terrible but 297 straight NFL games is still impressive. Peyton Manning is next in line at 205 consecutive starts. Can he stay healthy enough to make a run at the record? Ironically, Ripken's streak also ended against New York.
Will he just quietly disappear from the headlines?
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