Grieving Favre Reaches High

OAKLAND —  His arms raised above his head, his eyes wide with glee, Brett Favre hopped up and down and then into the arms of waiting Green Bay Packer teammates Monday night in a scene that over the last decade or so has become as familiar as a holiday ritual.

Favre had just completed a long touchdown pass to Javon Walker midway through the second quarter that was as much about luck as it was precision, Walker cradling the ball in his arms while falling down in the end zone between two Oakland Raider defenders.

Yet for all the success Favre enjoyed on a record-setting evening -- and there was plenty during the Packers’ 41-7 victory over the Raiders before 62,298 at Network Associates Coliseum -- there was also something missing. His name was Irvin Favre.

Brett Favre’s father had died Sunday, and yet the younger Favre played on, and admirably so. Favre threw for four first-half touchdowns to move into second place on the NFL all-time touchdown pass list as Green Bay (9-6) forged a tie with Minnesota atop the NFC North with one week remaining in the regular season.

The schedule favors Minnesota, which plays at 3-12 Arizona on Sunday; Green Bay plays host to Denver (10-5) at Lambeau Field, where the Packers have already lost three games.

But for one night at least, the playoff picture took a back seat to the personal plight of the Packers’ star player.

In the most prolific half of his storied career, Favre completed 15 of 18 passes for 311 yards and touchdowns of 22, 23, 43 and six yards as Green Bay took a 31-7 halftime lead. Favre threw 12 passes in the second half, completing seven, before leaving with 399 yards.

“The way Brett handles himself out there and the numbers he put up.... I’m sure his dad was looking down smiling,” tackle Chad Clifton said.

Favre’s four touchdown passes gave him 345 in 13 seasons, trailing only Dan Marino, who had 420. Favre also surpassed 3,000 yards passing in a season for the 12th time, tying John Elway for second all time. Marino accomplished the feat on 13 occasions.

One record Favre already holds -- consecutive starts by a quarterback, including the postseason -- appeared in jeopardy Sunday after his father died of a heart attack while driving near Brett’s hometown of Kiln, Miss. The elder Favre was 58.

“I knew my dad would have wanted me to play,” Favre said in a televised postgame interview. “I love him so much and love this game that has meant a great deal to me, to my dad and to my family.”

Notoriously crude Raider fans, mindful of Favre’s heartache during this holiday week, cheered the Packer quarterback when he was introduced before his 205th consecutive start.

Favre started quickly, completing his first nine passes as Green Bay built a 17-7 lead. On Green Bay’s first drive, Favre found Robert Ferguson in stride for a 46-yard gain and then lofted the ball just over the arms of Oakland safety Derrick Gibson, where only Wesley Walls could grab it for a 22-yard scoring play.

Favre completed three more passes on the Packers’ next possession, including a 23-yard touchdown that Walker cradled just across the goal line to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter. The touchdown pass moved Favre into second place on the all-time list in front of Fran Tarkenton, who threw 342.

“He was unbelievable,” said guard Mike Wahle. “That’s something you only read about in books.”

Said Favre: “I didn’t expect this type of performance, but I know [my father] was watching tonight.... I’m going to miss him. He was so instrumental not only in football but in life.”

Oakland (4-11) scored its touchdown late in the first quarter on Charlie Garner’s 25-yard run.