Favre Sets NFL Records, But Faces Personal Crisis

Future Hall of Fame National Football League quarterback Brett Favre has reached two historic passing milestones and extended a pair of his throwing records in a dramatic 29-20 loss to the New York Jets on the nationally telecast Monday Night Football game. But his on-field accomplishments may be overshadowed by an NFL probe into allegations of sexual harassment.

In what could have been a triumphant night for the 20-year veteran, Brett Favre became the first quarterback to surpass 500 career touchdowns and 70,000 passing yards. But Favre's three fumbles and a late interception allowed the New York Jets to escape with the 29-20 home victory at Meadowlands Stadium.

Favre says his 500th career touchdown pass had little meaning because it came in another loss. "The most important thing is wins. But that was not the case tonight. We achieved a lot of things, but we are 1-3. That is disappointing," he said.

Playing the day after his 41st birthday, Favre completed just 14 for his 34 pass attempts for 264 yards. But he fumbled three times in Monday night's rain-soaked contest, raising his career fumble total to 162 - the most in NFL history.

The game also marked the return of star wide receiver Randy Moss to the Vikings. After playing his first seven years in Minnesota, Moss played two lackluster seasons with the Oakland Raiders before rejuvenating his career with the New England Patriots. New England traded Moss to the Vikings last Wednesday and he says he did the best he could with little practice time since returning to Minnesota.

"You know, I just wanted to stay on the same page with the offense and make sure I know. You know, just coming in three or four days, it had my nerves going. So I studied hard this week to get them [the plays] and a lot of the plays I did not get, but some of them I knew. So I am not saying we ad-libbed out there, but it was a tough week," he said.

But in what could prove a distraction to the Vikings, the NFL is investigating allegations that Favre sent inappropriate messages and lewd photographs to a New York Jets game hostess in 2008 - the one season he played for that team following a stellar 16-year career with the Green Bay Packers.

Anonymous sources say Favre made an emotional pre-game apology to his Viking teammates for being a distraction, but he was tight-lipped on the subject. "That is between me and my teammates. Apparently, not all of them," he said.

Randy Moss, who is playing with Favre for the first time, says the team is behind their quarterback. "I know he has a lot on his plate and things do happen. But, you know, we are going to stick by him," Moss said.

Favre is in his second year with Minnesota. The Vikings, who were favored to win the NFC North Division, are currently third out of the four teams, trailing the 4-1 Chicago Bears and 3-2 Green Bay Packers. The Jets lead the AFC East with a 4-1 record.