Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre reacts after throwing his 420th touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers. Favre tied Dan Marino's all-time NFL record for career touchdown passes and the Packers beat the Chargers 31-24. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

In the Old West, gunslingers did not retire. They were killed on the job.

In the modern National Football League (NFL), one "gunslinger" continues to throw bullet-like passes. He is Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers quarterback (QB). Favre is setting NFL records in every game he plays.

Reporters and fans call him a gunslinger because he takes chances in games. He throws speedy "bullet" passes into tight spots. Sometimes when the coaches call a safe play, Favre changes it to a risky one.

"There have been some bad plays, some bonehead plays, whatever you want to call it," Favre told reporters recently. "But a lot of those good ones would not be there if it wasn't for taking a chance. For me, it has been well worth the risk."
The statistics prove him right.

Three records this season
Favre has set three important records this season. He threw his 421st touchdown (TD) pass on September 30 in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. That broke the record of 420 TD passes held by retired QB Dan Marino.

Favre added to his touchdown record in a game against the Chicago Bears on October 7. But two of his passes were intercepted. That tied the record for career interceptions thrown at 277. Retired QB George Blanda shares that record.

In the Packers' second game this season, on September 16, they defeated the New York Giants 35-13. That victory was Favre's 149th as a quarterback. That broke the record held by retired QB John Elway.

Favre sets the record for consecutive games started by a QB every time he starts at quarterback in a game. As of October 7, Favre had started 262 straight games. This includes playoff games. The old record is less than half of that. Retired QB Ron Jaworski started in 116 straight games.

The 262 games put Favre second all-time among NFL Players. Jim Marshall started a record 270 consecutive games. He was a defensive lineman.

The boss of the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell, praises Favre. "He is the only player to win three MVP awards. His consecutive-games streak at quarterback is a tribute to his toughness and passion for the game," Goodell told reporters recently.

Favre won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after the 1996 and 1997 seasons. He shared the award with running back Barry Sanders after the 1998 season.

Favre has played in the NFL for 17 seasons. He has been a Packer for 15 seasons

Favre led Packers to Super Bowl
He led the Packers to the 1996 Super Bowl championship. That was the team's first Super Bowl game since winning the pro football championship in 1967. Favre and the Packers lost the 1997 Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos.

Bart Starr was quarterback of the 1967 Packers. He calls Favre "a fabulous competitor [who] personifies leadership by example." "I've never seen a more enthusiastic player and leader," said Starr.

Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw says Favre "is simply the best." "He plays hurt. He's fun. He's infectious. He has everything I want to see," Bradshaw said.

While setting the records, Favre has led the young Packers team to a 4-1 record as of October 7. The "gunslinger" can still throw bullets.

Source: notes NFL.com, packers.com