“Strongest and most courageous person I know.” That’s how Brett Favre describes his wife, and honestly, it just fits. From being high school sweethearts to power players, their love story’s seen its share of twists and turns. 

Through sports, hardships, and triumphs, their bond grew stronger over time. Because you know, when something’s meant to be, it will always be. 

Who is Deanna Favre?

The story kicks off in Kiln, Mississippi, in 1983, where Brett Favre first laid eyes on Deanna Favre at his brother’s birthday party. They were just two shy 14-year-olds, but sparks flew. “There was one person that caught my eye and one person only,” the former QB recalled during his Hall of Fame induction. That teeny-tiny teenage crush blossomed into a real romance that even survived the late adulthood trials. 

Favre’s wife was a gifted athlete too. She earned a basketball scholarship to college, and they often bonded over sports. “We were officially a couple, but most of what we did together was sports,” the lovely lady shared. They were not just teammates in love but on-court, too, playing catch and shooting hoops together, which solidified their bond. 

But life can be cruel. Sometimes, too cruel. At 35, Deanna was diagnosed with breast cancer. But she managed it with grace without questioning the unreasonable. “Going through all that adversity together brought us even closer,” she told the New York Daily News. The football star showed support for his wife by shaving his head alongside her.

After Deanna’s recovery, she passionately advocated for breast cancer awareness. Having established the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, she raised funds, helping others battling similar struggles. Her memoir, Don’t Bet Against Me, encapsulates her fight and triumph, serving as inspiration for many.

Through the ups and downs—Favre’s NFL career, Deanna’s health battles—they remained each other’s perfect harmony. The basketball champ often reflects on their journey, highlighting how their relationship was knitted into their bones, the embers of galaxies glowing to life in their eyes. 

It’s stories like Deanna’s that remind us of the heart behind the scenes. Speaking of heart, when did these two finally tie the knot?

When did Brett marry Deanna?

Brett Favre and his wife tied the knot in 1996. But it wasn’t all gorgeous, as Deanna had a teen pregnancy. She welcomed Brittany at 19 years old. “We had no idea where our lives were going,” she said. 

Having been draughted in 1991, Favre had to shift cities, but Deanna stayed back in Mississippi. She couldn’t be with her husband because she had to take care of their daughter. The distance between the two? That became an issue. “We just talked about it one night and said, ‘It’s time to make it or break it’,” the basketball star alluded. 

To make things work, Deanna packed her bags and moved to Green Bay. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony a year later at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Their little angel even served as the flower girl. 

As of today, they’re grandparents to three boys. Brittany welcomed her first son Parker in 2010, and now has two more sons, A.J. and Oscar, with her husband, Alex Mallion.

From steering through the NFL lifestyle to building a beautiful family, Brett and Deanna Favre’s story’s nothing short of a touchdown in the game of life.