Sports Media Report
NFL Network’s new documentary series The Timeline from NFL Films premieres Thursday with an exclusive, all-encompassing look at Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field. Airing throughout the month of December and into the new year, The Timeline features six, hour-long episodes chronicling seminal moments that formed the NFL’s storied past, shape the present and, in some cases, set the stage for the future.
Favre Returns premieres on NFL Network following the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football (re-airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET), chronicling the end of Favre’s storied career with the Packers, his decision to sign with the rival Minnesota Vikings, and his return to Lambeau Field for his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame in July and his jersey retirement ceremony on Thanksgiving. Favre’s close friend, Tim McGraw, serves as co-producer and narrator.
The one-hour show features sitdown interviews with Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy, Ted Thompson and more, as well as never before seen footage of Favre at his home in Mississippi and his return to Lambeau Field.
To view an embeddable trailer for Favre Returns, visit: https://youtu.be/KjeIP0HRu7E
Among the topics discussed in Favre Returns are:
· Favre’s return to Lambeau Field for his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame in July and his jersey retirement ceremony on Thanksgiving
· The selection of Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft
· The end of the 2007 season and announcing his retirement
· Favre’s return to Green Bay in 2008 and his trade to the New York Jets
· Favre’s signing with the Minnesota Vikings
Favre Returns includes interviews with the following people:
· Brett Favre
· Aaron Rodgers – Packers quarterback
· Mike McCarthy – Packers head coach
· Ted Thompson – Packers general manager
· Mark Murphy – Packers president and chief executive officer
· Greg Jennings – Former Packers wide receiver
· Mike Holmgren – Former Packers head coach
· Ron Wolf – Former Packers Hall of Fame general manager
· Peter King – Sports Illustrated
Provided below are premiere dates for the remaining episodes of The Timeline:
· Jersey Guys – Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00 PM ET
· A Tale of Two Cities – Tuesday, December 15 at 8:00 PM ET (Part 1) & Saturday, December 19 Following Thursday Night Football (Part 2)
· The Merger – Thursday, December 24 Following Thursday Night Football
· America’s Game and the Iran Hostage Crisis – Saturday, December 26 Following Thursday Night Football
On digital platforms, there are several ways to access a live feed of all NFL Network programming, including The Timeline. Verizon Wireless customers using the free-to-download NFL Mobile app on smartphones have access to NFL Network included with their Verizon service. Fans can also access live streaming video of NFL Network through NFL.com/Watch on desktop, the Watch NFL Network app on tablets, and the NFL on Xbox app (Xbox 360 and One), for eligible subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Charter, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Optimum, Verizon FiOS and many more providers.
Provided below are some select quotes from Favre Returns:
– “What I did in Green Bay I think speaks for itself, and I’m happy with it. And if the fans are happy with it, then that’s all I need.” – Brett Favre
– “We didn’t go into the draft saying we have to have another quarterback. We just felt like the value was so great that it would be foolish to pass up.” – Ted Thompson on the selection of Aaron Rodgers
– “I don’t think it was a situation where he was real excited about a young rookie coming in. It was a tad disappointing to not be able to be buddy-buddy with him right away, but that’s the nature of this league at times. You get older and you realize that they’re always trying to replace you.” – Aaron Rodgers
– “I thought for sure he’d come back. I was shocked when he retired.” – Mike McCarthy on Brett Favre following the 2007 season
– “I was leaving going, ‘What just happened and I know I’m not OK with this.’ How could you not be conflicted?” – Brett Favre on his retirement announcement following the 2007 season
– “I wanted to play for anyone who would play the Packers.” – Brett Favre
– “It’s hard for me to accept the fact that that No. 4 was running out there with that purple jersey on.” – Ron Wolf
– “I was so frightened of failing you can’t imagine. To say in those two games I really wanted to play well is an understatement.” – Brett Favre on facing the Green Bay Packers with the Minnesota Vikings
– “Ted Thompson and I were always good friends. I wouldn’t say we were not good friends afterwards – we just didn’t talk for a while.” – Brett Favre
– “I knew that this event was going to take place and what was fresh in my mind was how I had left Lambeau. There was not much love, understandably so, and so I just didn’t know how I would be received.” – Brett Favre on his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame
