It was announced today that local football superstar Brett Favre will be inducted into the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame in 2015.

Favre announced the news on his personal website. 

Favre wore the number four and played for the Packers for 16 years. 

His uniform will be also be retired at that time. 

Not only has Favre been an icon in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he is also an icon for south Mississippians. 

A number of years ago, when driving up Highway 603, just before Dolly’s gas station, there was a sign, that read “Welcome to Kiln, Mississippi, Home of Brett Favre.”

Everywhere one went, there was Green Bay Packer memorabilia. 

When Favre was traded to the New York Jets, fans traded their Packer gear for Jets gear and the same was true when he played for the Minnesota Vikings.

Favre is a mascot for this often time overlooked part of the Deep South. He put Kiln, Mississippi on the map long before anyone heard of Hurricane Katrina. 

The people of south Mississippi truly love their football hero, even if he was traded to a team they loathed. 

That’s saying a lot, because the majority of football fans around this are die-hard New Orleans Saints fans. 

Favre’s induction into the Hall of Fame is another milestone moment Mississippi fans will remember and be proud of for years to come. 

Perhaps, the greatest contribution Favre has made is to the students of Oak Grove High in Hattiesburg. 

Some of these football players probably grew up listening to their fathers and uncles talk about the great ball-player that attended  the University of Southern Mississippi and ending up wowing a nation of football fans.

We at the Item congratulate Favre and his many accomplishments and his dedication to the great state of Mississippi.