The Setting: September 20, 1992, Lambeau Field
The Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

The team had dealt a first round pick for a quarterback who had been drafted in the second round just the year before, and who had done very little for the Falcons in his rookie year. In fact, Favre threw five passes that year. None were completed to Falcons receivers. Two were intercepted and returned for touchdowns. But Packers General Manager Ron Wolf knew he had something in Favre. The rest of us in Wisconsin, however, only knew that our beloved Packers had dealt away a first round pick for a guy whose name no one in, or around, Green Bay could pronounce.

Against the Bengals that September day Favre was, well, Favre. But for the first time. It was like Superman trying on his cape for the first time, or Paul Bunyan first grabbing hold of an axe. For the first time that autumn day in September of 1992, Brett Favre made magic on Lambeau Field; something the common man from Kiln, Mississippi would do hundreds of times more in the coming years. Trailing 23-10, the Packers went to Favre after QB Don Majkowski suffered an injury. With just seconds left on the clock, Favre found a streaking WR Kitrick Taylor to pull ahead 24-23. What was memorable about that game was how jubilant Favre was after the play. He jumped around like a player who’d never thrown a game-winning touchdown before. What’s been so special about Favre is, he’s rejoiced like that after almost every touchdown he’s throw since — more than 350 of them!

It’s been a pleasure to watch Favre play the past 13 years as a Packer. Like a marriage, Green Bay fans have had to deal with Favre, good times and bad. But, even in the worst of times, Packers fans would have no other quarterback at the helm for their team. In Wisconsin, Favre is bigger than Paul Bunyan, and more of a hero that Superman. Brett Favre is real, and the stories told about him are real, no matter how difficult they are to believe. Like the time he dove into the end zone on a separated shoulder to secure a win over Chicago. Or the last-second throw he made to WR Sterling Sharpe in the back of the end zone to advance past Detroit in the 1993 playoffs. Or the time he threw four first-half touchdowns against Oakland one day after he lost his father to a heart attack.

Hollywood isn’t buying scripts this good — they’re just not believable.

So, a day after Favre did it again — a day after he threw three touchdowns on his 200th consecutive regular season start to beat the Rams — the only thing to ponder about Favre’s brilliance is where his accomplishments will leave him in ranking order compared to the game’s other great quarterbacks.

Long-time fan of Favre or not, I can’t envision any other quarterback, other than perhaps Johnny Unitas on top of the list.

• Want numbers? Next to Miami’s Dan Marino, Favre’s statistics are as good as any other quarterback to have played the game.

• Want a winning record? Favre’s been to two Super Bowls and has a ring from the team’s Super Bowl XXXI win over New England. Marino doesn’t have a ring, and of the quarterbacks who do own a ring, only Denver’s John Elway has more career wins. Perhaps most impressive — Favre has never given the Packers a losing record. No other “great” quarterback of the modern era can say that.

• Want leadership? How about leading by example? How about playing every game without complaining about sore arms or swollen ankles? Favre wouldn’t sit unless the team doctor was holding a gun to his head. And his play inspires those around him. At 35 years old, Favre is still one of the game’s best at his position, and unquestionably the sport’s most respected athlete.

Add it up: wins + numbers + longevity + leadership = the game’s best quarterback.

For those of you who still doubt Favre’s place in history, have a look at some of the contenders from the modern era (sorry Otto Graham and Sammy Baugh fans)…

John Elway — Denver Broncos

Why he could be the best: Like Favre, Elway finished his career with a strong balance of winning and individual success. He won more games than any other quarterback and ranks in the same group as Favre and Marino in several career passing categories.

Why he is respected by his peers: No one operated the two-minute offense better than Elway. And, in his youth, Elway could make throws other quarterbacks can only dream about.

Why he doesn’t measure up to Favre: Elway played longer than Favre, and if Favre puts in as many games he’ll have more wins, and plenty more yards and touchdowns. The only thing Elway has over Favre is a second Super Bowl title.

Dan Marino — Miami Dolphins

Why he could be the best: Marino retired from the game with just about every passing record on the books.

Why he is respected by his peers: Few quarterbacks could read defenses as well as Marino, and few had as quick of a release.

Why he doesn’t measure up to Favre: Count the Super Bowl rings on Marino’s hand. End of story.

Joe Montana — San Francisco 49ers

Why he could be the best: Montana won the big game four times and operated the game’s most prolific offense to perfection.

Why he is respected by his peers: In the Super Bowl, Montana’s record as a passer is untarnished, near-perfect. He always played his best when the spotlights were the most intense.

Why he doesn’t measure up to Favre: Montana has more titles than Favre, but he also was surrounded by a much better supporting cast. Plus, Montana’s career statistics aren’t even close to the numbers Favre has put up.

Johnny Unitas — Baltimore Colts

Why he could be the best: Unitas still owns several records, one Favre is currently chasing (most consecutive games with a touchdown pass). Unitas hasn’t laced up a boot in more than three decades, yet some of his career numbers are still considered benchmarks. That’s impressive.

Why he is respected by his peers: When a teammate once informed Unitas that blood was flowing from his nose, Unitas grabbed a chunk of dirt and crammed it up his nose to stop the bleeding — then proceeded on with the cadence. John Wayne wasn’t that tough on film.

Why he doesn’t measure up to Favre: Because Unitas played a shorter season and against inferior athletes (today’s players are bigger, faster, and stronger), it’s tough to compare him to Favre. One thing is fair to compare: the longer it’s been since Unitas played, the bigger his legend has grown. The same will be true of Favre some day.

Mike Beacom works out of his home as a pro & college football writer. His articles have appeared in more than a dozen magazines, and he is a regular guest on several sports talk radio shows.