Brett and Deanna Favre may have said they were canceling all public appearances for the next year. But since his nationally televised farewell press conference, Favre’s marketing power and popularity has skyrocketed.
Just staying home could cost Favre millions in endorsement deals.
A recent nationwide survey of 1,800 respondents said that Brett Favre is the number one most recognized sports figure in America right now, with 69% of those asked saying the former Packers quarterback was the most famous.
Favre finished ahead of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Jerry Rice, and the winning quarterbacks of the past two Super Bowls, Eli and Peyton Manning.
Favre’s most recent endorsements have included Wrangler jeans, Ray-O-Vac batteries, Sensodyne toothpaste for sensitive teeth, and fighting heartburn with Prilosec.
He starred in local Bergstrom Auto spots throughout his career in Green Bay, driving off the lot in the latest, fully - loaded pick-up truck every year.
Favre was also featured in a full page ad on a Briggs & Stratton Snapper lawnmower on the back page of the Sports Illustrated special edition released after his retirement announcement.
In 2000, Favre was featured in a national TV spot for Pennzoil. The script had him saying that Pennzoil was superior to any other brand on the market, and that it provided better protection against engine wear or engine failure than “any of these other leading brands”,followed by a camera shot of a can of Castrol Oil.
Castrol sued in federal court, calling Favre’s Pennzoil commercial “false”,” misleading”, “repugnant” and in violation of federal advertising laws. Pennzoil pulled the spot.
So while Favre was looking forward to taking his daughters to school, spending time on his 460 acres, or hunting wild boar, just a couple of days in front of the camera could net him perhaps as much as the $12 million he would have earned this season with the Packers. An ESPN.com report said Favre pulled in $7 million in endorsements last year, along with his $11 million NFL salary.
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BUSY PRO DAY
Nine different universities held their Pro Day today. NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers on hand watching draft prospects run the 40-yard dash, shuttles, bench 225 lbs, and be put through various other drills that measure their ability at their position.
Schools holding Pro Days included Georgia, Florida, Boise State, and Boston College, where all eyes were on Golden Eagles QB Matt Ryan. Except for Ted Thompson.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe tells 1250 WSSP-AM that the Packers GM was not present for Ryan’s workout. Thompson however did attend the Wisconsin Badger’s Pro Day in Madison, March 5th, featuring defensive lineman Nick Hayden, the day after Brett Favre told Thompson via phone call he had decided to retire.
Brett and Deanna Favre may have said they were canceling all public appearances for the next year. But since his nationally televised farewell press conference, Favre’s marketing power and popularity has skyrocketed. 
