In sports, some decisions make history. One such decision was the Atlanta Falcons’ Brett Favre draft selection in the 1991 NFL Draft. The prospects and outcome of that choice paved the way for a legacy that extends beyond the locker room and into the annals of football history.
The Unconventional Pick: Falcons Brett Favre draft pick
The Atlanta Falcons, no strangers to risk, set their sights on the Southern Mississippi University’s quarterback, Brett Favre. With numerous awards under his belt, including the Silver Anniversary Award for his performance in football, Favre was a sought-after prospect. Yet, what stood out about him was an uncanny ability to adapt, a fierce competitiveness, and a will to win that made him a perfect fit for the Falcons.
Despite his talent, many overlooked Favre because of his supposedly “unorthodox” quarterback style, including some off-field incidents that may have raised eyebrows. But the Atlanta Falcons went past the noise at the 1992 NFL Draft, selecting him as their 33rd pick.
Truth be told, the Jets wanted him — badly. Leading right up to the selection, they tried to pry that pick away from the Falcons before having to settle on Browning Nagle.
If you listen to Thesimann on the day, Nagle would have been a fantastic pick. Chris Berman loved his arm. Mel’s Top Quarterbacks had Favre as the second best quarterback in the draft behind Dan McGwire. The oak tree McGwire, who stood 6’8, threw 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his NFL career. Nagle turned out not much better with 8 majors and 20 INT’s.
A Potential Hindered
Favre’s start with the Falcons was rocky. He didn’t get the playtime to showcase his skill, spending the majority of his rookie year on the bench. His first pass in an NFL game intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Many started to question if the Falcons’ decision to draft Favre was a mistake.
“Drafting Brett Favre was a bet – a bet on talent over convention, on potential over immediate results.”
Trade to Green Bay and Emergence of a Legend
Not satisfied with Favre’s development and in a move that would become one of the most significant misfires in NFL history, the Atlanta Falcons traded Favre to the Green Bay Packers in 1992.
In Green Bay, Favre found his rhythm, becoming one of the most revered quarterbacks in football history. A three-time Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl XXXI winner, Favre silenced his critics and demonstrated that the potential the Falcons bet on was not unfounded.
The Legacy
The Atlanta Falcons’ selection of Brett Favre and their subsequent decision to trade him to Green Bay is a lesson in patience and faith in potential. It reminds us that sometimes, the unconventional choice could be the right one.
In the end, Brett Favre’s name is associated not with the Falcons but with the Packers. Yet part of his extraordinary journey to stardom began with an unconventional draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons, and that decision should not be forgotten.
