Brett Favre Encourages Fans to Follow Jesus in Conviction-Filled Christmas Post
Michael Foust
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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
Pro football legend Brett Favre said in a social media post over the Christmas holiday that his faith in Jesus is a central part of his life – and he encouraged his fans to follow Christ, too.
It wasn’t the first time the Pro Football Hall of Fame member has spoken about faith, but his post nevertheless stood out for its conviction.
Favre is a three-time NFL MVP and 11-time Pro Bowl selection who spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he played in two Super Bowls, winning one. He was known as one of the league’s toughest and most durable quarterbacks.
He last played in 2010.
“For more than 20 years I put my hands up in celebration on the gridiron,” he wrote in a Christmas post on Instagram. “Now, I put my hands up to the One that gave me all my talents and abilities – the King of my life, Jesus Christ. I’ve never claimed to be perfect, but my aim is for the direction of my life to honor Christ, and I pray my faith increases.”
“So I do want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, whether you’re solo, with family, or friends, and if you haven’t done so, put your faith in Him who can save, Jesus Christ.”
Favre also cited Ephesians 2:8-9 in his post: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Favre excelled in the NFL to the very end, leading his final team – Minnesota – to a division title and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game during the 2009 season when he was 40.
In 2019, Brett Favre opened up about his beliefs during a convocation at Liberty University. A pivotal moment in his faith journey, he said, came during the 2003 season, when he played one of the most memorable games of his career one day after his father died.
Many wondered whether Favre would sit out the game, but he chose to play, throwing four touchdown passes in a 41–7 win by Green Bay over Oakland. Favre finished the night with a perfect 154.9 passer rating. He recalled praying with a teammate during the pregame.
“What I realized later after I retired as I think about that game is that I, and maybe you, have oftentimes said, ‘God, show me You’re real, just for me, just for a second,’” Favre said in 2019, according to Sports Spectrum. “Come out of the clouds, cross the road, whatever. You look for these signs and you never see them – when they’re right in front of you. And for me the sign was how I played in that game.”
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Michael Owens / Contributor
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
