As Brett Favre took the stage at former President Donald Trump’s rally outside Green Bay on Wednesday night, the Hall of Fame ex-Packers quarterback soaked in the adoration of cheering fans and took aim at Trump’s opponent in the upcoming election.
“It’s an honor to be back here where it all started, to campaign with the next president of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Favre told the crowd gathered at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay.
The rally took place less than a week before the upcoming Tuesday election, in which former President Trump will face off against Vice President Kamala Harris. The campaigns have been in high gear, with each candidate crisscrossing Wisconsin, a critical swing state, in the final days before the election. On the same evening as Trump’s rally, Harris also held an event in Madison, underscoring the importance of the state in the race.
During his speech, Favre drew a comparison between the Green Bay Packers and Trump’s campaign organization, suggesting that both embody a winning mentality. “The Packers and Trump’s team are all about winning,” he said, emphasizing the shared spirit of success and resilience.
Favre also took the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden’s recent comments, which were interpreted by some as derogatory towards Trump supporters. Biden appeared to refer to Trump’s supporters as “garbage” while addressing offensive comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally on Sunday. During the rally, Hinchcliffe had called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” which sparked controversy.
The Biden administration quickly moved to clarify that the President was specifically referencing Hinchcliffe’s offensive comments rather than making a sweeping statement about all Trump supporters. However, Favre did not accept the clarification, telling the crowd on Wednesday that Biden’s underlying message was, in his words, that “we’re garbage.”
“I can assure you, we’re not garbage,” Favre declared passionately. “How dare he say that? Looking out, I see police officers, teachers, nurses, grandparents, students. I see everyday Americans who make this country great.” His remarks drew loud applause from the crowd, who were clearly moved by the former quarterback’s words.
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Favre explained that he was getting involved in the election because of what he sees as the high stakes involved. He expressed deep concern about the direction of the country and his desire to see new leadership in the White House.
He also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, saying it would be “insane to give Kamala four more years in office.” Favre added, “It’s time to bench Kamala and put in the star quarterback,” drawing an analogy between political leadership and his own experiences in the NFL.
When Donald Trump took the stage following Favre, he was full of praise for the former Packers legend, referring to him as a “real” leader and even commenting humorously on Favre’s famously firm handshake. “Man, does he have a hand, you know?” Trump quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. “This guy shook my hand, his fingers are like sausages. No wonder he could throw the ball so hard.”
Trump also noted that the applause for Favre was louder than the applause for himself, a moment that highlighted the deep respect that many in the crowd had for the former quarterback.
Brett Favre played 20 years in the NFL, starting his career with the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to the Green Bay Packers, a move that changed the trajectory of the Packers franchise. Favre became the first player in NFL history to win three consecutive MVP awards and transformed the Packers into perennial contenders. He led Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory in the 1996 season, the franchise’s first championship in 35 years, and returned to the Super Bowl again in 1997.
After initially retiring in 2008, Favre was traded to the New York Jets, where he played for one season before finishing his career with two years in Minnesota as a member of the Vikings. His journey through multiple teams only added to his storied career, earning him a place among the NFL’s all-time greats.
In recent months, Favre has made headlines for reasons beyond football. Last month, the 55-year-old revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder that affects the nervous system. Favre shared the news during testimony at a congressional committee meeting focused on the misuse of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in Mississippi, his home state.
Favre, a native of Mississippi, is entangled in the scandal involving the alleged misappropriation of funds, though he has not been charged with a crime. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was unaware of the mismanagement of funds. Despite the controversy, Favre remains a beloved figure for many, especially in Green Bay, where his contributions to the Packers are still celebrated.
The rally in Green Bay was more than just a political event—it was a moment for fans to reconnect with a local hero. For Favre, it was an opportunity to speak out on issues he feels strongly about, and for the crowd, it was a chance to see one of their all-time favorite players standing up for what he believes is best for the country.
