"Untold :The Fall of Favre" explores a champion's downward spiral

Director Rebecca Gitlitz takes the field in the third episode of the fifth season of Netflix's popular show "Untold." This episode explores Brett Favre's controversial career, the darker aspects of sports stardom, and the scandals that tarnished his legacy.

As my core circle knows, I was never deep into sports, so when I saw the classic comedy "There's Something About Mary," one of my best friends had to explain the validity of the joke involving Brett Favre. However, as a film critic with a taste for rise-and-fall narratives, Untold: The Fall of Favre offers a multi-layered critical examination of one of football's most legendary players.

The documentary begins with the mythology: Hall of Fame legend Brett Favre started his journey in Mississippi and earned titles such as Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP. After the initial recognition of his accomplishments, Untold: The Fall of Favre follows Favre's reputation as it deteriorates due to scandal and controversy that led to disgrace.

The sudden death of Favre's father in 2003 became both a humanising experience and a turning point since it occurred just before his Monday Night Football game. Favre delivered a defining performance in his career by passing for 399 yards and four touchdowns. The movie reveals how Favre's emotional peak concealed his internal breakdown as grief, along with mounting pressure and expectation, started to take their toll.

The Green Bay Packers' decision to select quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the mid-2000s revealed deepening fractures in the team's dynamics. Instead, the Packers' decision to draft Aaron Rodgers, intended for succession planning, created a long-lasting conflict. Burdened by fatigue and the endless demands of being the starting quarterback, Favre lost his resolve. The retired threats became yearly traditions while the former undisputed leader started feeling disconnected from his era.

The documentary critically examines Brett Favre's decline from professional prominence. It investigates his misconduct, beginning with the explicit text scandal during his tenure with the Jets and extending to his involvement in a Mississippi welfare fraud scheme. This film thoroughly analyses the diminishing accountability that often accompanies fame.

Notably, the documentary features an interview with Jenn Sterger, who received inappropriate texts and voicemails from the former NFL quarterback. This allows her to share her perspective in a compelling testimony. There are also great tidbits from Jemele Hill and others, who all validate that Favre wasn't the golden boy we all thought he was.

Sports fans experience heartbreak as they dig into their hero's downfall. The story warns about the dangers of unrestrained power, which shows how quickly a legacy can become vulnerable. The tale of Favre teaches us that each Hall of Fame bust represents a person who possesses complex flaws and bears responsibility for their decisions.

Final Grade: B+

Untold: The Fall of Favre is available to stream today on Netflix.