Favre keeps playing, and the records keep falling

The abundance of NFL records Brett Favre has accumulated on his résumé in 19 seasons is such that even he can't keep track of them all. That was evident Wednesday when it was brought to his attention that Sunday will mark his 282nd consecutive regular- season game, tying former Viking Jim Marshall's record for the most games played in a row by a position player.

"I thought that record was already tied or broken," Favre said.

The 40-year-old quarterback could be forgiven for his mistake. The NFL's career leader in touchdown passes, passing yards, attempts and interceptions (to name a few) was thinking about the record for most consecutive regular-season starts. That mark came and went long ago, in Week 2 at Detroit, when Favre bypassed Marshall by starting his 271st game in a row.

But the NFL does not recognize that statistic in its record and fact book. It does track consecutive games, and Favre has not missed one since playing in the second half for the Packers against Tampa Bay on Sept. 13, 1992. Favre made his first start two weeks later against Pittsburgh. (Giants punter Jeff Feagles holds the record for consecutive games played with a streak that will reach 347 tonight against Denver.)

"I think [Favre's streak is] the greatest streak in all of sports. I really do," said Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, who also was a teammate of Favre's in Green Bay for nine seasons. "Cal Ripken's baseball streak [of 2,632 games] is amazing for how long their season is. But to play the position of quarterback on two levels: One, physically to be well enough to play every single week for that long is one thing. But, two, in this day and age where it's win now or we need someone else, to play well enough for that many games to still be on the field, is a whole other side of the coin."

The Packers used to devote a portion of one page in their media guide to all the injuries Favre played through during his 16 seasons in Green Bay. By the time Favre left, the list had grown to 16 injuries and included everything from a first-degree separation of his left shoulder in 1992 to a broken thumb on his throwing hand in 2003.

Last year, Favre continued to start for the Jets despite a partially torn biceps tendon in his throwing arm that required offseason surgery, and he also has admitted he still has a partially torn rotator cuff. Favre wasn't on the Vikings injury report Wednesday, but he has dealt with ankle, groin, hip, knee and foot issues this season. "I'm honored that I'm still asked to do this, people still want me to play," Favre said.

Favre, who leads the NFL with a 112.1 passer rating and has 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions for the 9-1 Vikings, says a variety of factors have gone into his streak. "I'd love to sit here and say there's a secret that I can't give out," he said. "I think God has blessed me with a lot of talent and the ability to use it and overcome certain injuries that may have kept the next guy out. Being hard-headed, being lucky and in my case be willing to [say], if you're injured, 'I think I can do it.'"

That type of toughness is one reason Marshall, a defensive end for the Vikings from 1961 to 1979, has no problem with Favre breaking his long-standing record. Marshall isn't sure he will be at Sunday's game --- he recently underwent knee-replacement surgery -- but he met Favre around the time of that first Lions game and was impressed.

"It's time" the record was broken, Marshall said. "I moved on a long time ago as far as records are concerned. I'm very happy that he's the one who is taking over that mark because I have so much respect for him."

The Vikings are expected to make an announcement in the first quarter Sunday as a nod to Favre's latest record. But the fact he will tie another NFL mark, or break it the following week at Arizona, has become almost ho-hum. It seems Favre is breaking a record every time he plays. Last Sunday, he threw four touchdown passes in a game for the 22nd time in his career, moving past Dan Marino.

Favre said at this stage of his career that individual accomplishments aren't really all that important. "There probably was a time in my career where that probably mattered," he said. "No different than any other guy that plays. You set yourself apart, and I'm to a point in my career where I really know that 10 years from now none of that really matters. ... I'd like to go down as the winningest quarterback. I'd have to play a long time to get the most Super Bowls. But to be remembered as that, a guy who was always around winning ... that's really all that matters to me. I threw for 400 yards this week, great. I want to know: Did we win that game? That's the most important thing."