Green Bay's Saint Job

Even though I'm a Bears fan, I can't help liking recently retired Brett Favre. I mean, really, who doesn't like Favre? He's hard working, down to earth, fun to watch, and simply one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game of football.

I was interested to discover today that he's also a devout Christian. Check out this great essay from Sightings: Brett Favre, Catholic Hero.

Usually, when high profile athletes are involved in Christianity, you know all about it. They make a big deal about it. They make a show of praying on the field. They thank Jesus all the time. Sometimes they go evangelical and start speaking at churches and Christian gatherings.

But not Favre. That's just not his style.

What I really like about the essay, written by Joseph Kip Kosek, is that it points out that so much of Favre's life and career have been marked by tragedy and pain: his own addictions, the death of his father and brother, his wife's cancer, the destruction of his mother's home by hurricane Katrina. Kosek argues, therefore, that Favre's faith is akin to that of Job, a constant faith in spite of, or perhaps because of, suffering.

If you think anything of Brett Favre, you should really read this fascinating essay.