Funkerstation » ere to win a World Series. This is why I wanted to co

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre was equal parts desperado and virtuoso during his 20-year NFL career that was predicated on taking big risks in the games biggest moments.That style never paid off more handsomely than when he hit Andre Rison with a long TD toss on an audible that kick-started his lone Super Bowl victory. And it never backfired so spectacularly as when he threw careless, late interceptions in two NFC championships.Favres unorthodox style made for one of the most exciting, colorful careers the league has seen.Brett Favres in the top-5 as far as the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, suggested Hall of Famer John Elway, who led Denver past Favres Packers for the first of his two Super Bowl triumphs in the late 1990s. He was a gunslinger and he wasnt afraid to fail. Thats what made him great.Its what landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the headliner next weekend of a class that includes Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel, Ed DeBartolo Jr., Tony Dungy, Kevin Green, Marvin Harrison and Orlando Pace.Those who cringed as Favre threw off his back foot or across his body to well-covered receivers labeled him a riverboat gambler. His coaches, especially Mike Holmgren, walked a fine line trying to curb his gaffes without cropping his greatness.The punctilious Peyton Manning would break many of his NFL records after Favres retirement in 2011, but Favre still has the longest consecutive starts streak as well as records for most completions, attempts -- and interceptions -- while ranking second to Manning in TD throws and passing yards.Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler said Green Bays defense takes the bulk of the blame for the 286 passes picked off during Favres time in Green Bay because we told him, `Be yourself. Well go get the ball back. When he did that, it was easy for his talent to take over.Showing up week after week, year after year, Favre piled up records and accolades. Yet, it was his unparalleled passion that set him apart.I cant say that I was the best passer. I cant say that I was the most mobile. I cant say that I was the toughest. I cant say all that, Favre mused. But what I can say is that I had the most fun. On and off the field, in the locker room and on the bus rides to the stadium, on the flights back.He brought a childs delight to the game, entertaining teammates on the sideline by imitating old-time announcers. Hed bounce up from a big hit, straighten his facemask and seek out the man who hit him to ask why he didnt hit any harder.You could tell he enjoyed playing. He didnt feel the pressure that a lot of other guys feel, Elway said. He wasnt afraid to fail. He wasnt afraid to make a mistake, and thats why he made so many great plays. He also made some bad ones like playmakers all do, but he made a hell of a lot more great plays than he made bad ones.Favre was a world-class prankster who never let frivolity get in the way of work. He just always found a way to lower the pressure and lighten the mood.With his Southern drawl and razor-sharp timing, Favre was part Huck Finn, part Kevin Hart. He was as wide-eyed when he left the league as he was when he entered it.I could not believe that they were paying me to do what I was doing, Favre said. There were guys that came in and seemed so miserable and I just could not figure it out. I always tried to do my best to keep it as lighthearted as possible.That style drove him out of Atlanta, where he showed up late for the team photo in 1991 before throwing just four passes as a rookie, none of which landed in his receivers hands and two of which were picked off.Ron Wolf, enshrined in the Hall of Fame last summer, arrived in Green Bay in 1992 as its new general manager and his first order of business was trading a first-round pick to the Falcons for Favre.In Week 3, Favre replaced an injured Don Majkowski with Green Bay trailing Cincinnati by two TDs and engineered his first comeback, rallying the Packers to a 24-23 win.He never came off the bench again.The following week he began a stretch of 297 consecutive starts, 321 counting playoffs, that didnt end until Dec. 12, 2010, because of a shoulder injury in his final season, his second in Minnesota after a year with the Jets.Through broken thumbs, concussions, torn biceps, twisted ankles, sprained knees and separated shoulders, he played. He even played one of his greatest games with a broken heart after his father, Irv, died of a heart attack in 2003.A decade earlier, Holmgren was under pressure to bench Favre after a 3-4 start in 1994. Instead, he called him into his office and told him, Were joined at the hip. Either were going to the mountaintop together or were going to the trash heap together.They scaled that summit in 1996, when Favre, who overcame an addition to painkillers in the offseason, led the Packers to their first Super Bowl title in nearly three decades, 35-21 over New England.He won his unprecedented third consecutive MVP award the following season, but Green Bay lost 31-24 to Denver in the Super Bowl.His time with the Packers ended poorly. He announced his retirement during a tearful press conference in 2008, only to change his mind and force his way out in a trade to the Jets.Favres storybook romance with Green Bay almost didnt happen at all, though, because he flunked his physical when he arrived from Atlanta. Favre had gotten hurt in the East-West Shrine game his senior season and the devastating diagnosis was avascular necrosis, similar to what ended Bo Jacksons career. When Wolfs medical staff told him they didnt know how long Favre could possibly play, he retorted, Ill take whatever good years he can possibly give us.And suddenly a losing franchise became a winning franchise, Wolf said.Favre said he owes a forever payable debt to Wolf.Boy, Favre said, what a gamble.What a jackpot, too.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapletonSwell Bottle Wholesale . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Swell Wood Water Bottle . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. http://www.swellbottlesales.com/ . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Swell Bottle Sales . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Yellow Gold Swell Bottle . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday.CHICAGO -- When Jon Lester was a free agent two years ago, he decided to join?the Chicago Cubs primarily because they had?promising prospects, including Javier Baez.Look where they are now.Lester and Baez were selected as co-MVPs for the National League Championship Series on Saturday night after leading the Cubs to their first NL pennant since 1945.Baez hit .318 (7-for-22) with five RBIs against the?Los Angeles Dodgers, picking up right where he left off in the division series. The versatile Baez also made a couple of the most exciting plays in the NLCS, stealing home during Chicagos victory in the opener and robbing Adrian Gonzalez of a hit with a terrific, bare-handed scoop in Game 5 on Thursday night.Just having fun, Baez said. Living my dream, playing like a little kid, moving everywhere, catching the ball and making plays.Next up for Baez and the Cubs: the World Series against Francisco Lindor and the Indians, beginning Tuesday night in Cleveland. Baez and Lindor are part of a dynamic group of young players from Puerto Rico that also includes Houston shortstop Carlos Correa.Baez grew up in Puerto Rico, played a lot of baseball as a youth, played a lot of winter ball, manager Joe Maddon said. Hes been taught properly and well. And when he goes out there, man, you saw him before the game sitting on the bench, saw him waving into the camera. Hes just being himself. I love that.Lester, one of baseballs most accomplished playoff performers, went 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles. He has allowed just two runs in 21 innings in three postseason games this year.ddddddddddddLesters $155 million, six-year deal in December 2014 was a key moment in the Cubs turnaround from also-ran to contender. The left-hander is a sure bet to get the ball in Game 1 against the Indians, Hes looking to improve to 4-0 in four World Series starts after helping Boston win it all in 2007 and 2013.Its unbelievable. Going through this process, this is why they signed me, Lester said. This is why they wanted me to come here to win a World Series. This is why I wanted to come here, to win a World Series for this city and this organization, this ownership, this front office. ... We still have a long ways to go.Lester and Baez became the first NLCS co-MVPs since Cincinnati relievers Rob Dibble and Randy Myers in 1990.The Cubs grabbed Baez with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 2014 but really turned into a consistent force this year, batting .273 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs while playing several different positions.After struggling for a while in his first year in Chicago, Lester went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 32 starts this season. The 19 wins matched a career high.Youre obviously going to feel more comfortable that second year as opposed to just getting thrown into that first year with a whole new atmosphere in front of you, Lester said before Game 1 of the NLCS. ' ' '