Page 152 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2016

SPORTS & OUTDOORS hawks to hall of fame
story and photos by Mark Spain
He’s one of the most decorated professional football players of all time, but Brett Favre still finds time to come back to his roots in Hancock County. He started his football career playing for the Hawks at Hancock High School and had no idea that he would some day be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Favre came back for a special ceremony to talk to young players and provide insights on making a career playing football. He urged the young team to stay in school and further their education so they may be able to make the right decisions. “It doesn’t matter what interests you have, just be the best you can be in whatever you choose to do,” Favre advised.
The team listened intently as Favre talked about his history and explained that family was a definite motivator for him to succeed. His dad — the late Irvin Favre — coached him and his brothers from the time they could hold a ball. Talking in admiration of his late father, Favre made a point that his dad never missed a game, noting that all parents could take a lesson from his father, who was an inspiration and cornerstone
to his son’s success. Irvin Favre left
his legacy on the Gulf Coast with his family, friends and people he didn’t even know.
At the end of his speech, Favre was presented with a plaque to congratulate him and commemorate his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. True to form, he graciously and humbly accepted the award from his first team, the Hawks. The plaque will remain on permanent display at the school.
Brett Favre’s story is the stuff of football legend. He played more than just quarterback at the start of his football career in high school. With his dad as the coach, Favre played lineman, strong safety, placekicker and punter. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and after a phenomenal college career, was drafted by the
152 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2016
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