NEW YORK - Brett Favre's standout season for the resurgent GreenBay Packers has earned him the title of 2007 Sports IllustratedSportsman of the Year, making him the fourth quarterback to win theaward in its 53-year history.
The 38-year-old Favre joins fellow quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw(1979), Joe Montana (1990) and Tom Brady (2005) as recipients of theaward, given to an athlete who symbolizes the ideals ofsportsmanship.
Favre, a three-time NFL MVP, said in the cover story of themagazine's Dec. 10th issue that leadership is about finding ways toraise his team's level of play.
"You do that by setting an example, by doing things the rightway. I've always shown up, I've always been prepared, I practiceevery day," Favre said. "I practice hard. I study. No matter whathappens on the field, I never point blame at anybody else.Everything I do comes back to leadership, the example I want toset."
Favre has started a quarterback-record 249 consecutive games, andthis year surpassed Dan Marino for career touchdown passes and passattempts. He is 450 yards away from breaking Marino's career recordof 61,361 yards.
Favre has had one of the best seasons of his 17-year career,completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 3,412 yards with 18touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He's on pace to surpass his career marks in completionpercentage, yards passing and fewest interceptions per attempts.
The magazine also recognized Favre's history of philanthropy,including his Fourward Foundation that's donated more than $4million to charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi and assistedMississippi's Gulf Coast counties after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade won the magazine's award last year.
AP-ES-12-04-07 0005EST
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