Aug 8, 2008 6:52 pm US/Eastern
The Favre Women: Brett's Inspiration
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Brett Favre holds up his New York Jets jersey alongside Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson (L) and Executive Vice President/General Manager Mike Tannenbaum (R) during a press conference on Aug. 7, 2008, in Cleveland.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Football fans know Brett Favre led the Packers to seven division championships and one Super Bowl championship. They know he holds the NFL records for most touchdown passes, most passing yards, most completions, and most career victories as a starting quarterback. But what they might not know about the New York Jets' newest quarterback are the women in his life, from whom he draws much of his strength.
Deanna and Brett Favre were high school sweethearts, but their relationship was sorely tried by the drug and alcohol addictions that accompanied her husband's fame and wealth.
Deanna almost left Brett, but feared he would only get worse without her. That loyalty, Brett admits, saved his life.
In 2004, she had to fight for her own life, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Brett's mother, Bonita, also had to battle cancer. "From the beginning, I said something good will come from this. Deanna's a strong lady, she has a lot of faith, and the family's very close. She'll make it," Bonita Favre said.
Deanna, mother of two girls, survived to demonstrate true strength to her husband.
"One thing, the hair loss was the least of my worries. When it happened it was not as traumatic as I thought it would be. And it won't be the end of the world for anybody out there who's about to embark on this journey," Deanna said.
Even as Brett's fame grew on the field, starting a record 253 straight games, Deanna said she was his priority. "That was tough, yeah. Well, for once, he was taking care of me instead of me taking care of him. He's been great through the whole thing, he's been so supportive. That just felt great."
Then in 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the family home in Mississippi. However, Brett didn't miss a single game that year.
Football and family remain the two constants in the quarterback's life.
"I think your relationship to your family, your spiritual life, that is so much more important than monetary things. We don't feel any different or any better than anybody else. We just feel really blessed," Deanna said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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