Packers’ Favre Collects Second Mvp Award

All the questions about how Brett Favre would respond from a troubled off-season were answered simply: With another MVP year.

The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback became the first repeat winner since 1990 and only the second player to win the award in consecutive years. Favre received 52 of the 93 ballots by a nationwide panel of sports writers in voting announced Monday by The Associated Press.

Favre joined Joe Montana (1989-90) as the only winner of two straight MVPs. Other two-time winners were Steve Young (1992 and ‘94), John Unitas (1964 and ‘67), and Jim Brown (1957 and ‘65).

“It was more of a surprise this year than it was last year,” said Favre, who joined Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Bart Starr as Packers who’ve won the award

“And believe it or not, it felt much better this year than it did last year. I was really honored last year and couldn’t believe it. But this year it was like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders. It was like, ‘Whew, man, this is great.’ This is another huge award for a lot of bad things that have happened.”

Such as needing to undergo rehabilitation for an addiction to pain-killers. Such as family problems - his sister Brandi, 19, was arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting at a motel in Slidell, La. And during the summer, their brother, Scott, 29, was arrested on felony DUI charges after an accident that killed a family friend.

Despite losing several of his receivers for part of the season, Favre led the Packers to a 13-3 record, tops in the NFC. He surpassed his 38 touchdown passes of 1995 - an NFC record with 39 this year. He also threw for 3,899 yards and had a 95.8 rating, second in the league to San Francisco’s Steve Young.

Young better, likely will play

Young’s bruised ribs were still aching, but the injury in all likelihood won’t keep him from playing in Saturday’s divisional playoff at Green Bay.

“He’s better than we might have expected,” coach George Seifert said. “When I visited with the doctors today, they said he’s more probable than questionable.”

Meanwhile, the 49ers headed to Arizona for three days of practice at the Cardinals’ training facilities in Tempe to escape storm-wracked northern California and their own waterlogged practice fields.

Bills center Hull retires; Kelly uncertain

Buffalo center Kent Hull retired Monday after an 11-year career that included four straight Super Bowls.

Hull, considered the best center in Bills history, became the first to retire of the eight remaining Bills who appeared in all four Super Bowls - all losses.

“I’ve decided to close this chapter in my life,” Hull said. “It’s been a great ride for me.”

Meanwhile, the future of Jim Kelly is uncertain. The veteran quarterback was unsure Monday whether he would return next season.

“All the circumstances have to be right,” Kelly said. “I have to feel comfortable. I’m not talking dollar-wise, I’m talking personnel-wise - where this team plans on going and where this offense plans on going.”

Coach Marv Levy hardly gave him an endorsement.

“I’m not saying anything definite about Jim Kelly, and I’m not saying anything definite about anybody,” Levy said. “I’d prefer at this point not to discuss any personnel matters until I’ve had time to really sit down with our coaches … and make good judgments.”