Here’s a glimpse at a side of legendary quarterback Brett Favre that most may not know: his Catholicism.

From the Catholic News Service and Catholic Online, courtesy the Green Bay diocesan paper, The Compass:

While the sports world came to halt at the March 4 announcement of Green Bay Packer Brett Favre’s retirement, Catholic leaders in Green Bay and Mississippi also paused to reflect on the impact the near-certain Hall of Fame quarterback had on and off the field.

Father Richard Getchel, pastor at St. Agnes Parish on Green Bay’s west side, presided at Brett and Deanna Favre’s wedding in 1996, and baptized their daughter Breleigh in 1999. The couple grew up in Mississippi.

“I thought he would return, so it surprised me,” Father Getchel told The Compass, newspaper of the Green Bay Diocese. “I’m happy for him and the family. I sent Deanna an e-mail. She wrote back thanking me for my concern, which was nice.”

Norbertine Father James Baraniak, chaplain for the Packers, attempted to reach the Favres in the days prior to the announcement. He was unaware of the pending retirement. Instead, Father Baraniak sought to share a special invitation from the papal visit advance team for Brett and his wife and the Packers’ Coach Mike McCarthy to attend the papal Mass in Washington.

When he finally spoke to Deanna, “she explained that it was an intense time,” so they weren’t answering all their phone calls.

“When I shared with her the proposal,” the priest said, “she said if it was entirely up to her, she would give me an answer immediately, but she had to talk to Brett. ‘You know that husband of mine,’ she said.”

Both priests spoke of their admiration for the Favres. St. Agnes was the family’s home parish, while they were in Green Bay. Daughters Brittany and Breleigh had both attended Holy Family School, located on the parish grounds.

Father Baraniak first met Brett 12 years ago on a team flight. It is a moment he will never forget.

“I didn’t get the memo to dress formal on the plane,” he said. “I was wearing a polo and khakis. When he saw me on the plane, he pointed me out and said, ‘New guy.’ When he later saw me in my habit, he was really surprised. He said, ‘New guy’s a priest!’ That was our introduction.”

Father Baraniak was with the Favres in Oakland when Irvin Favre, Brett’s father, died in 2003.

“They are very impressive people,” he said, “so there is a bit of sadness. For very young people, they have done very well considering all the difficult times they have faced,” including Deanna’s battle with breast cancer.

Brett’s playful demeanor was not only displayed on the field, said Father Baraniak. It was sometimes showcased at the team Mass prior to home games.

“There are more people at the Mass on the road, so at home, I really saw that personality,” he said.

“I remember I was getting ready to start a Mass, when Brett interrupted me. Jeff Thomason (former Packer tight end) was wearing a wild shirt,” the priest recalled. “Brett stood up and said, ‘Excuse me Father, but J.T., I just want to know if you’re wearing one of those shirts that if you stare at it long enough an image appears?’ Everyone was laughing.”

The Favres are members of St. Thomas the Aquinas Parish in Hattiesburg, Miss. Father Tommy Conway, pastor, said he will miss trips to Green Bay for Packers games, but is happy for the family.

“It’s a massive relief for Deanna,” he said. “She loves the Packers, but she was concerned that something would happen to him. I think Deanna has shaped Brett Favre into the man he is today. I give her an awful lot of credit. They have faced adversity in their lives and they are both better people for it.

“I told Brett when he left for this past season that I was praying for two things for him,” Father Conway added. “I wanted him to remain free of injury and to have a whole lot of fun. He was able to accomplish both. He really enjoyed the coaches and his teammates.”

One way the Favres live out their faith is through their numerous charitable efforts, including the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation and the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation.

Green Bay Bishop Robert J. Banks, who has spoken with Brett several times at the annual Bishop’s Charities Game, said the player’s popularity goes beyond his success on the football field.

People relate to not only his wife’s battle with cancer, but to the quarterback’s own struggles with addiction to painkillers and deaths in the family.

“He’s faced some tough challenges and he’s handled them so well,” he said.

Loyalty, unpredictability and humility come to mind about Brett, said Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Morneau of Green Bay.

“Brett was here for 16 years,” he said. “This is almost unheard of in professional sports. I believe that Packers fans interpreted this as a sign of fidelity; that Brett really wanted to be here. He seemed to be saying, ‘I love this organization and its many and varied members.’ People responded to this with deep affection and admiration.”

You can read more about how his wife’s faith sustained her in her battle against cancer at this link.