(C) Brett Favre reflects on the timeless wisdom gleaned from Terry Bradshaw’s legendary career, uncovering invaluable lessons in resilience and leadership.
While Brett Favre and Terry Bradshaw are both legendary NFL quarterbacks who enjoyed Hall of Fame careers, they never actually played together in the league. Favre broke into the NFL in the early 1990s with the Green Bay Packers, over a decade after Bradshaw retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983. As such, Favre was not able to directly learn any lessons from watching Bradshaw play up close or interact with him as a teammate. However, that does not mean Favre did not take anything from Bradshaw’s career and example as he forged his own path to success in the NFL.
Though they never shared a locker room, Favre no doubt studied Bradshaw from afar as the Steelers quarterback led Pittsburgh to an unprecedented four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s. At the time, no other franchise had won more than two Super Bowls. Bradshaw redefined what it meant to be a championship quarterback, proving toughness and leadership were as important as any physical abilities. He played through countless injuries and always seemed to raise his game to another level in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Watching tape of Bradshaw performing under pressure at the biggest moments no doubt impressed Favre and stuck with him.
While possessing a rocket arm, Bradshaw was not the most technically sound or consistent quarterback statistically. He threw 210 interceptions against 201 touchdowns over his career and had a career passer rating below 70. However, Bradshaw found ways to win when it mattered most. He proved stats were overrated if you could deliver in crunch time. Favre likely picked up on this lesson from Bradshaw – that intangibles, toughness and clutch play in pivotal games outweighed regular season numbers. It’s no coincidence Favre adopted a similar gunslinger mentality and took many risks that didn’t always pan out statistically but helped his team win numerous close games.
Like Bradshaw, Favre played through all kinds of injuries from broken bones to concussions that would sideline lesser players. He started a record 321 consecutive games, a streak inspired in part by Bradshaw’s toughness. While not as blessed physically as some QBs, Favre maximized his talents by outworking opponents through relentless preparation and study. He refused to miss starts no matter the injury, just as Bradshaw battled through the pain year after year. Watching the four-time Super Bowl champion perform at an elite level while clearly hobbled had to motivate Favre to push his own limits.
Both quarterbacks were also leaders who brought swagger, confidence and joy to their respective teams. Bradshaw famously talked trash and was never shy about boasting Steelers superiority. His brash style rubbed some the wrong way but energized Pittsburgh. Favre adopted a similar take-no-prisoners attitude, boldly predicting wins and stirring opponents with his conviction. While their personalities differed slightly, Bradshaw blazed a trail Favre was proud to follow in terms of using bravado and charisma to elevate those around him. A quarterback has to be a field general as well as a playmaker, and Bradshaw set the standard Favre eagerly emulated.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Bradshaw left a legacy of perseverance and mental toughness that Favre no doubt admired from afar. Drafted first overall in 1970, Bradshaw struggled as a rookie and faced constant criticism early in his career as he learned the position. But he worked tirelessly to improve his skills and decision-making, developing into a champion. Favre could relate, beginning his pro career as a backup and experiencing doubts before emerging as one of the game’s greats. Watching Bradshaw silence critics through determination and dedication after a rocky start had to inspire Favre during his own ups and downs. Both showed the value of never giving up on yourself no matter what others said.
While their eras and teams differed, Favre carried on Bradshaw’s Steelers tradition of tough, resilient, big-game quarterbacking. He led the Packers to two Super Bowl victories of their own in the 1990s, including one over New England where he threw for three touchdowns despite a shattered thumb suffered in the first half. In that way, Favre paid homage to the championship grit Bradshaw exhibited for Pittsburgh. And like Bradshaw, he brought a contagious joy and love of competition to Lambeau Field that energized teammates and fans. Though they never shared a field, Bradshaw’s example left an indelible mark on Favre from afar as he pursued his own place among the all-time greats.
One key difference between the Hall of Fame QBs was how they handled the end of their careers. While Bradshaw walked away relatively early at age 38 after 16 seasons, Favre had a much more drawn out and controversial exit from the game. At age 40 with the Jets in 2008, he initially retired for a season, only to have a change of heart and sign with the division rival Vikings in 2009. This upset many Packers fans who felt betrayed by his decision not to return to Green Bay one last time. Bradshaw avoided such drama by simply calling it quits on top after the 1983 campaign, leaving on his own terms with the Steelers.
Favre’s inability to completely detach from the game, bouncing from the Jets to Vikings to a brief stint with the Packers in 2010, tarnished his legacy slightly in the eyes of some. Bradshaw set the example of knowing when to hang it up rather than overstaying your welcome. Perhaps if Favre had studied Bradshaw more closely in his later years, he would have emulated the classy Steelers quarterback by walking away on good terms with the only franchise he ever knew in Green Bay, rather than dragging out his farewell tour over multiple teams. Bradshaw showed the value of leaving fans wanting more rather than overplaying your hand late in life.
In the end, though they never shared an NFL field, Bradshaw’s Hall of Fame career left an indelible mark on the quarterback who followed close behind – Brett Favre. While their stats and styles differed slightly, both defined toughness and championship pedigree for their respective eras. Watching tape of Bradshaw delivering in the clutch for Pittsburgh no doubt fueled Favre’s desire to push his own boundaries of pain and carry a team on his back. And Bradshaw’s leadership, confidence and love of competition clearly inspired Favre as he blazed his own trail, leading the Packers to glory in the 1990s.
Most of all, Bradshaw provided a template for maximizing your talents through dedication and perseverance in the face of doubts, then getting out at the right time. Favre followed that formula for much of his career, becoming one of the toughest and most beloved quarterbacks in history. Though they never took a snap together, Bradshaw’s example left lessons for Favre that shaped him into a legend in his own right. Two separate eras of champions who never met still influenced each other from afar, cementing both as giants in the story of the NFL.
