Brett Favre Requests Help for Nephew After Warning America’s Youth Against Football

Brett Favre has never been shy about making requests from his fans. He’s asked fans to believe in his comebacks (all three of them), back his copper sleeve endorsements, and even consider some… let’s just say interesting wellness products. But this week? But this week, the Hall of Famer popped up on Instagram with a new plea, and no, it’s not another unretirement.

Nope, this one’s personal. Sure, it might sound like your typical proud-uncle moment at first, but if you know anything about Brett Favre, you know he doesn’t just cosign for fun. When he throws his weight behind his nephew, it usually means there’s more to the story than just family ties.

This request? It’s all about family. His nephew, in particular. Favre took to Instagram Stories with a heartfelt ask: give Xavier a vote for Youth Athlete of the Year. It wasn’t just a quick shoutout either; he dropped the vote link  and added a big “Proud of my nephew, Xavier!” When the former Packers player puts his name behind someone (even if it’s family), you should bring your ears a little closer.

And in Xavier’s case, it’s well-deserved. The kid’s not just some flash-in-the-pan athlete; he’s the real deal. We’re talking travel soccer, AAU basketball, Pop Warner football, and pulling in an A-average at school (unlike his uncle).

MADISON, WISCONSIN – JUNE 11: Former NFL player Brett Favre walks off the 10th tee box during the Celebrity Foursome at the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship at University Ridge Golf Club on June 11, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

According to the nomination page, the kid brings everything to the table: talent, work ethic, and balance. This is a resume every parent dreams about. And if it’s good enough for Brett Favre to back? Yeah, give him the trophy already. What really hits home here is the bigger picture behind Brett’s post.

This isn’t just about trophies or titles; Xavier embodies exactly what Favre represents. He’s the kind of athlete who doesn’t just pick one lane and stick to it, and for Brett? That’s exactly what makes him the Youth Athlete of the Year. Xavier’s not just tearing it up on the field and court; he’s also crushing it in the classroom, which is honestly just as impressive. And with only 10 days left in the voting (and Xavier sitting at the top!), Favre’s shoutout might be the final boost he needs to lock this in.

And while Uncle Brett’s hype for his nephew is definitely getting people’s attention (and votes), there’s a bit of unexpected irony in the mix. Especially when you consider how vocal Favre’s been in recent years about kids and tackle football.

Favre’s warning to America

Favre’s been pretty outspoken lately when it comes to kids and football. He doesn’t exactly sugarcoat it. In a recent sit-down with The Washington Post, he flat-out said it. “If I had a son, I’d be very, very reluctant to let him play [football] knowing what I know now,” he remarked. Yeah, that’s coming from a guy who lived the game for two decades. He’s not bashing football, not at all. It’s just him waving a big red flag about how young kids start, especially with all we now know about head injuries.

He’s not just saying all this based on a book he read. It’s grounded in his own experience. He’s shared stories of his ears ringing, lights going out, and “seeing stars” way more times than he can count. Indeed, he’s estimated he took “thousands” of concussions during his 20-year career. That kind of wear and tear has left him seriously concerned about CTE and long-term brain health, as you’d expect.

Favre has been super clear: kids don’t need to be taking full-speed hits before their bodies (and brains) are ready. One stat he keeps bringing up? One in five youth concussions comes from head-to-turf impacts. That’s not something you can just shake off. And leagues like Pop Warner? They’re listening. They’ve already banned high-speed kickoffs to help cut down on those big, dangerous hits.

As for Favre, he is still all in on sports and competition (just look at how hyped he is for his nephew), but he’s also not afraid to say, “Hey, maybe let’s pump the brakes on full contact until kids are older.” So when he says, “The human head is not designed to play football,” you can see where he is coming from. Especially when you see him cheering on his nephew Xavier, a standout multi-sport athlete who also crushes it in the classroom. It’s like Favre saying: chase greatness, but do it smart. Balance matters.

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