It's sure to be another milestone Monday night this week at a venue that has seen more than its share of milestone moments - historic Lambeau Field - when the Green Bay Packers play host to the St. Louis Rams.
Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE will make his 200th consecutive start, the most in NFL history by a quarterback. Perhaps it is fitting that a testament to the longevity and brilliance of Favre takes place on the longest continuously running prime-time entertainment series in television history - ABC's NFL Monday Night Football.
Favre's streak began on September 27, 1992 when he completed 14 of 19 attempts for 210 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 144.6 passer rating in a 17-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has continued ever since, as Favre has led the Packers to nine playoff appearances, five division championships, two NFC titles and a win in Super Bowl XXXI.
"For Brett to be making his 200th consecutive start is simply incomprehensible," says ESPN analyst RON JAWORSKI, who himself started 116 games in row for the Philadelphia Eagles, the second-longest quarterback starting streak all-time. "Brett shattered my record and he just keeps on going and going. That's a testament to his toughness. There may never have been a tougher player, at any position, than Brett Favre."
A look at the all-time leaders for consecutive quarterback starts:
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (199) 1992-present
Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia Eagles (116) 1977-84
Joe Ferguson, Buffalo Bills (107) 1977-84
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (106) 1998-present
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins (95) 1987-93
A streak of 200 consecutive starts is a rarity for any player. Twenty of the NFL's 32 teams publish a record for consecutive starts. Early press box statisticians did not universally and consistently document starting lineups. Even the Packers cannot confirm if Favre's streak is the longest in club history for a player because prior to 1962, lineups were not recorded at every game. A look at the players who have started 200 consecutive games, as recorded in NFL team media guides:
Jim Marshall, Minnesota (270) DE, 1961-79
Mick Tingelhoff, Minnesota (240) C, 1962-78
Bruce Matthews, Houston/Tennessee (229) G, T, C, 1987-01
Jim Otto, Oakland (210) C, 1960-74
Gene Upshaw, Oakland (207) G, 1967-81
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota, Tampa Bay (202) G, 1989-02
Brett Favre, Green Bay (199) QB, 1992-present
Some interesting facts and figures from Favre's 199 consecutive starts:
-Has compiled a 131-68 record (.658).
-Has tossed a TD pass in 35 consecutive games - the second longest streak all-time (JOHNNY UNITAS, 47, 1956-60) - to 36 different players.
-Has started in 38 stadiums.
-Has seen 11 of his former backups go on to start for other clubs (Steve Bono, Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell, Henry Burris, Ty Detmer, Matt Hasselbeck, Don Majkowski, Rick Mirer, Doug Pederson, Kurt Warner and Danny Wuerffel).
MONDAY NIGHT MUSINGS - ST. LOUIS RAMS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
FAVRE IS THE MAN
- Packers QB BRETT FAVRE is the only athlete in the four major sports to have started every game for the same team since September 27, 1992.
Cal Ripken, Jr. and Lou Gehrig were the only athletes in major sports history to start every game for their teams over a span of at least 12 seasons. Ripken started all 2,632 games of his streak, from 1982-98, and Gehrig started every Yankees contest from July 1925 until 1939.
REPORTING FOR DUTY
- Rams DE BRYCE FISHER has a firm commitment to our troops abroad.
After spending two years (1999-2000) on active duty with the Air Force, Fisher participated in a USO Tour in the summer of 2002. In addition, he currently spends his offseasons at Lambert Airfield working as a public affairs officer for the Missouri National Guard's Air Force division.
INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AT HOME AND ABROAD
- Each November, Rams WR ISSAC BRUCE celebrates his birthday with the kids at Bruce Elementary School in St. Louis. He "adopted" the school several years ago and makes an ongoing effort to stay involved in the lives of the students.
- Packers CB AL HARRIS played QB and CB at Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida.
To show his support for his community, Harris now sponsors a youth football team in Pompano Beach. He provides the boys with jerseys and other assistance.
A PASSION FOR THE FAR EAST
- Packers G KEVIN BARRY has achieved a third level belt as a seven-year student of Tae Kwan Do.
He says practicing Marshal Arts helps him develop discipline and flexibility. But his love for Asian culture runs much deeper than that. His favorite book is an autobiography on Bruce Lee - the Way of the Warrior -- and his favorite movies to collect include Kung Fu themes.
HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION
- Actor and Hollywood celebrity MATTHEW MC CONAUGHEY's father was drafted by the Packers.
The team selected JAMES (JIM) MC CONAUGHEY out of the University of Houston in the 27th round (319th overall) of the 1953 NFL draft. To this day, the McConaughey's remain big-time cheeseheads.
