Though today marks Columbus Day for the U.S. and Thanksgiving Day in Canada, Wisconsin is celebrating "Brett Favre Day" in honor of the beloved Green Bay Packers quarterback.

Today, Favre's 36th birthday, was officially declared "Brett Favre Day" throughout the state by the Wisconsin Legislature.

The state Senate and Assembly passed a joint resolution in the spring after Favre announced he would return for his 15th season playing in the National Football League, and Doyle signed the legislation into law.

State Sen. Alan Lasee, R-Green Bay, said Favre has been an inspiration to the people of Wisconsin, and added Favre has followed in the footsteps of another great Packers quarterback, Bart Starr.

"Brett Favre has demonstrated he's an upstanding individual," Lasee, a coauthor of the resolution, said. "Brett is a mirror of Bart Starr — he's shown us that football is a great game, but that there are also more important things in life, like family and community, and he's shown that, too."

The naming of the day for Favre is especially fitting after the Packers routed the New Orleans Saints Sunday, 52-3.

"It's amazing how [the win on Sunday] can change how people feel — people will probably go to work [today] and feel better about their day," University of Wisconsin senior and avid Packer fan Sam Boeble said. "It just rejuvenates the love people in Wisconsin have for Brett Favre."

Named the NFL's most valuable player three consecutive years from 1995-1997, Favre also has the second-highest number of career passing touchdowns. Additionally, Favre led his team to Super Bowl berths in 1996 and 1997.

Favre's resilience in dealing with the many difficulties in his life is another reason the state decided to name the day in his honor, Lasee added. Two seasons ago, Favre's father died unexpectedly, and last season Favre experienced the death of his brother-in-law and his wife's diagnosis with breast cancer. Hurricane Katrina's devastation of Favre's native South also caused stress for him and his family at the end of August.

"He's had more personal trials in his life, and he came through with class and dignity — he really set the standard for people to look up to," Lasee said.

The State Legislature often chooses to pay tribute to prominent Wisconsinites by naming a day for them, whether they are sports players or other influential public figures.

In addition, Favre's efforts to raise charity money for Wisconsin and in his home state of Mississippi also warranted the honor. In 1996, Favre organized the "Brett Favre Forward Foundation" and has also raised money through celebrity softball games, an annual golf tournament and charity dinners, which have brought in more than $1.5 million for charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

"Brett Favre just tries to make the world a better place, and he's done that in many ways," Lasee said.

Boeble said Favre has had an effect on Wisconsin unlike any other sports player the state has ever had, and called Favre the "Michael Jordan of football."

"Brett gives people faith that they can beat the odds," Boeble said, adding Favre is "the greatest player in the NFL. … No matter what's going on he can go out and do what he does and enjoy it, and that gives people faith that they can overcome obstacles, too."