Harlan: Brett Favre Should Go Into Packers Hall Before Canton

It’s a foregone conclusion that Brett Favre will one day be inducted into the Green Bay Packers and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Former Packers president Bob Harlan would like to see Favre in Green Bay before Canton.

Favre is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

“He’s got to come back someday and have his number retired. He’s going to go into the Packers Hall of Fame; I think he should go into the Packers Hall of Fame before he goes into Canton,” Harlan said.

Before Favre returns to Green Bay, there are seemingly some unhealed wounds that need to be repaired. Favre and the organization went through a messy divorce that ended with him being traded to the New York Jets, before he signed with division rival Minnesota and played two seasons with the Vikings.

Harlan hoped Favre might return for this summer’s Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, which will enshrine former coach Mike Holmgren, to kick-start the healing process. Favre apparently declined.

“We had a meeting about two months ago and talked about who should be invited back – Jon Gruden, Andy Reid, people like that,” Harlan said, referring to two Holmgren assistants who went on to be successful head coaches themselves. “And, we talked about players. And I said to the group, ‘What about No. 4? This would be the perfect time for him to come back, come into Green Bay.’

“The crowd at the Hall of Fame banquet is an adoring crowd, they’re as loyal to the Green Bay Packers as anybody. And unfortunately, I don’t think he’s going to do it. We did approach his agent, and I don’t think Brett’s going to do it. I feel badly about that.”

Whether Favre returns now or in the future, it appears the ball is in his court at least as far as the Packers Hall of Fame is concerned.