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GREEN BAY, Wis. - No one wanted to talk about him and no one wanted to talk about that, but the fact that Brett Favre even showed up says something about the ties to this Green Bay Packers franchise that bind.
Months ago, then-retired Favre promised his longtime friend and road roommate of 12 years, former center Frank Winters, that he would present him for the Packers Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
And even though the longtime Packers quarterback faces an uncertain future after becoming embroiled in a controversy during the last 18 days regarding his possible return to football, Favre honored his commitment to Winters on Saturday night. When Favre and Winters entered the Lambeau Field Atrium, they were met with the loudest and lengthiest of cheers from the packed, sold-out crowd.
Not a single jeer or boo was heard.
By limiting media access to Favre and asking for respect for the inductees, the Packers ensured the night remained focused on the men who were to be honored for lengthy career achievements.
Dressed in a suit and showing the down-home charisma that made him one of the most popular players in the National Football League, Favre introduced Winters with plenty of jokes and old stories but no comments on the recent events between himself and Packers general manager Ted Thompson.
Along with Winters, defensive tackle Gilbert Brown and video director Al Treml, who missed just two Packers games in 38 years, also were inducted. The other presenters were former defensive tackle Santana Dotson for Brown and Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr for Treml.
Other Packers luminaries sat among the dinner tables with fans: former GM Ron Wolf; chairman emeritus Bob Harlan; former players LeRoy Butler, William Henderson, Sean Jones, Marco Rivera, Mark Chmura, Rob Davis, Craig Newsome, Chris Jacke and Larry McCarren, as moderator, along with current kicker Mason Crosby, who picked up the Rookie of the Year award.
While the night was meant to honor Winters, Brown and Treml, it was hard not to notice that Favre was two tables away from Thompson, who was flanked by Packers coach Mike McCarthy and Wolf. Favre mingled around the room and talked with Davis and Chmura before the event began.
When Favre was honored with the 2007 MillerCoors MVP award for setting NFL records in touchdowns, passing yards, completions and attempts, he received even more cheers and then an enthusiastic standing ovation.
"I didn't realize I was getting this award until a just a couple of hours ago," Favre said. "I'm thankful for this award for a lot of reasons, especially being an old, gray-haired quarterback, showing I can still do it. It was a wonderful year, that goes without saying."
Favre apologized for going to the ESPY awards earlier in the week and forgetting to thank his teammates.
"I thought about all these things I wanted to say, but the most important I wanted to say I didn't say at all," Favre said. "I was reminded of that as soon as I sat down next to (wife) Deanna.
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