Brett Favre’s rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons was a wash — both for him and the team.
As illustrated in a new biography of the Hall of Famer, “Gunslinger: The Remarkable, Improbable, Iconic Life of Brett Favre,” by Jeff Pearlman, the University of Southern Mississippi product was more focused in 1991 on partying than prepping for game day. In an excerpt posted on Sports Illustrated’s website, Favre admits embracing Atlanta’s nightlife, knowing playing time would be a rarity as the team’s third-string quarterback.
“I just said, ‘The hell with it,’” said Brett. “I went out every night, gained weight and was out of shape. I didn’t study, I didn’t care. I’d show up just in time for the meetings, and I’d be out of there the second the meetings were over.”
Joined by his older brother, Scott, who had moved to town, as well as two friends in school, Favre enjoyed a diet of pizza, doughnuts and vodka.
“He didn’t think he’d ever get a chance that season, so he probably didn’t take it very seriously,” said Scott. “Plus, you’re young and dumb and in a big, exciting city. We took advantage of it.”
After Favre was fined $1,500 by the Falcons for missing the team photo — “I was hung over,” he said — his stint with the club came to an end that same year. Following the 1991 season, Green Bay traded a first-round pick to Atlanta in exchange for Favre. And as they say, the rest is history.