This Thanksgiving, the Green Bay Packers retired former quarterback Brett Favre’s famed #4. Favre tumultuous end to his career where he retired, un-retired, retired again, un-retired to play for the Packers’ division rival, and then finally retired again. So, there was some question as to how Favre would be received in his return to Green Bay.
Judging by the Packers-created hashtag #TH4NKSGIVING, Favre’s halftime jersey retirement ceremony touched Packers fans and neutral viewers alike. The Packers, NFL, and Milwaukee Brewers’ official accounts all tweeted before or during the ceremony, initially driving the conversation on Twitter before fans chimed in.
Cheers to @Favre4Official and all the great memories he gave us along the way. #TH4NKSGIVING
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) November 27, 2015
No. 4, forever at @LambeauField. #TH4NKSGIVING pic.twitter.com/iagnyZK7AB
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 27, 2015
"And most importantly, I thank YOU!" Brett Favre. Lambeau Field. Amazing. #TH4NKSGIVING https://t.co/noHrFp6YtP
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2015
Easily the highlight of the day. @Favre4Official #Th4nksgiving #Packers #Legends pic.twitter.com/mfsgxoH0M3
— #Th4nksgiving (@LambeauResident) November 27, 2015
this is perfection #TH4NKSGIVING #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/b4LShsaWQ5
— Phil (@fill3up) November 27, 2015
Given Favre’s history, an injury to current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the second half caused many to joke that he would find a way to suit up for the game, despite just having his jersey retired.
@Favre4Official get your jersey! We need you on the field! #TH4NKSGIVING #GoPackGo
— Kyle (@kylejwirkus) November 27, 2015
So can Favre come out of retirement? #TH4NKSGIVING #CHIvsGB
— brady fisher (@bradyfisher13) November 27, 2015
If this just happened it is amazing. #Packers #TH4NKSGIVING https://t.co/HeVcBD2HzH
— Jessica Arp (@news3jessica) November 27, 2015
But, the conversation surrounding #TH4NKSGIVING was not universally positive. Some used the hashtag to criticize Favre.
Never forget: Brett Favre won the same amount of Super Bowls as Trent Dilfer. #TH4NKSGIVING
— Adam Cozens (@Adam_Cozens) November 27, 2015
Yesterday, the @Packers thanked a man who won as many titles as Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson: ONE. #lets4get #TH4NKSGIVING
— J! (@itsallj) November 27, 2015
In fact, not all of the conversation was related to the ceremony. Likely because of the hashtag’s popularity and the similarity to “Thanksgiving,” many tweeted mundane observations about the holiday, and not about Favre.
I bought a crockpot today, along with some candles… Is this adult life? #TH4NKSGIVING
— Logan Anderson (@Loganander) November 27, 2015
The use of #TH4NKSGIVING during Brett Favre’s jersey retirement was mostly positive, thanks to tweets from key accounts that initially drove the conversation. But, some used the hashtag to criticize Favre, and others used it to tweet about the holiday, not the ceremony.
Favre turned into a player that was easier to dislike towards the end of the career due to his indecisiveness, but I think because he seemed like he was an average joe type of guy most people still liked him as displayed by the tweets.