Three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre began his glorious 16-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers as a back-up to Don Majkowski in 1992. An injury to the then-starter in Week 4 gave the youngster out of Southern Miss his opportunity to shine, starting one of the most incredible iron man streaks in sports: a record 321 consecutive games started at quarterback. This lot includes a circa 1993 Brett Favre game-used helmet worn very early in his illustrious career, and it comes with excellent provenance from a 49ers team executive.
Favre went 8-5 as a starter in 1992 after taking over for Majkowski, but the 9-7 Pack just missed the postseason. The next year he led Green Bay to another modest 9-7 record, this time good enough for the team's first trip to the playoffs since 1982. After a thrilling 28-24 victory over the Lions in the NFC Wild Card round in which Favre threw 3 TD passes, the Pack fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys the following week in spite of a dazzling 300-yard, 2-TD performance from the "Ole Gunslinger." The '93 season set in motion Favre's legendary path and eventual first-ballot Hall of Fame enshrinement in Canton, Ohio, in 2016.
This well-worn headgear shows abundant game use with multiple scrapes and paint transfers throughout from on-field collisions. The Air Power, size LARGE helmet sports the Packers logo on either side along with three strips of color tape (two green, one white) across the top from front to back. Favre's No. "4" black Dymo label is affixed on the rear of the gold shell. The green Schutt face mask remains intact, although the chin strap is missing. On the Air sticker label inside the interior padding is the manufacturer's date of "09-91"; the face mask clips are both dated "92". Research shows Favre wearing the same style during the '93 season, the key identifiers being the plain white forehead (no sticker, "AIR" faded off), plus the locations of: the Packers decal logos and stripes; NFL shield and warning stickers; face mask clips; and ear pad button.
According to the consignor, whose late husband, Dave Rahn, served as 49ers Director of Operations for several years, the helmet was initially given by Favre to Steve Young. Includes letter of provenance from Dave Rahn’s widow.
Provenance: From 1986-2002, Dave Rahn served an
integral role within the San Francisco 49ers organization. Starting as a
public relations and media coordinator, he soon took over as director
of travel and team services where he was responsible for all football
operations, including travel and accommodations, practice schedules,
lodging and meal planning. He later managed the concert tours for
Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow and Lionel Richie. In 2014, Dave Rahn passed
away after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. "He was like a wheel,
and all these spokes from those years came from him," said his close
friend, former linebacker Gary Plummer. "He kept the 49ers family from
those times together." His collection includes dozens of game-worn
and autographed items gifted by 49ers players and staff members.