Three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre began his glorious 16-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers as a back-up to Don Majkowski in 1992. An injury to the then-starter in Week 4 gave the youngster out of Southern Miss his opportunity to shine starting one of the most incredible iron man streaks in sports: a record 321 consecutive games started at quarterback. This lot includes a circa 1993 Brett Favre game-used helmet worn very early in his illustrious career and it comes with excellent provenance from a 49ers team executive.

Favre went 8-5 as a starter in 1992 after taking over for Majkowski but the 9-7 Pack just missed the postseason. The next year he led Green Bay to another modest 9-7 record this time good enough for the team's first trip to the playoffs since 1982. After a thrilling 28-24 victory over the Lions in the NFC Wild Card round in which Favre threw 3 TD passes the Pack fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys the following week in spite of a dazzling 300-yard 2-TD performance from the "Ole Gunslinger." The '93 season set in motion Favre's legendary path and eventual first-ballot Hall of Fame enshrinement in Canton Ohio in 2016.

This well-worn headgear shows abundant game use with multiple scrapes and paint transfers throughout from on-field collisions. The Air Power size LARGE helmet sports the Packers logo on either side along with three strips of color tape (two green one white) across the top from front to back. Favre's No. "4" black Dymo label is affixed on the rear of the gold shell. The green Schutt face mask remains intact although the chin strap is missing. On the Air sticker label inside the interior padding is the manufacturer's date of "09-91"; the face mask clips are both dated "92". Research shows Favre wearing the same style during the '93 season the key identifiers being the plain white forehead (no sticker "AIR" faded off) plus the locations of: the Packers decal logos and stripes; NFL shield and warning stickers; face mask clips; and ear pad button.

According to the consignor whose late husband Dave Rahn served as 49ers Director of Operations for several years the helmet was initially given by Favre to Steve Young. Includes letter of provenance from Dave Rahn’s widow.

Provenance: From 1986-2002 Dave Rahn served anintegral role within the San Francisco 49ers organization. Starting as apublic relations and media coordinator he soon took over as directorof travel and team services where he was responsible for all footballoperations including travel and accommodations practice scheduleslodging and meal planning. He later managed the concert tours forFleetwood Mac Sheryl Crow and Lionel Richie. In 2014 Dave Rahn passedaway after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. "He was like a wheeland all these spokes from those years came from him" said his closefriend former linebacker Gary Plummer. "He kept the 49ers family fromthose times together." His collection includes dozens of game-wornand autographed items gifted by 49ers players and staff members.