Packers’ Brooks Is Out for Season, Faces Surgery

Quarterback Brett Favre called Green Bay’s 23-20 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers Monday night the most physical game in which he has played.

But it was flanker Robert Brooks who paid the heaviest price. Brooks, Favre’s favorite receiver and Green Bay’s premier deep threat, was lost for the year on the Packers’ first play from scrimmage when he blocked cornerback Tyronne Drakeford on a running play to the opposite side. Brooks’ right leg buckled and he was carried off the field.

Brooks had an MRI Tuesday, and Packer Coach Mike Holmgren said Brooks tore the anterior cruciate ligament “and maybe more.” He will undergo surgery later this week.

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Hundreds of University of Wisconsin Whitewater students smashed car windows and bent over lightposts in the raucous celebration of the Packers’ victory.

The group of about 600 students caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, university officials said. The destruction included broken pedestal lights, bent rugby goalposts, overturned bleachers and planters and smashed car windows.

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49er Coach George Seifert admitted that he made a mistake when he went for a field goal instead of a touchdown at the end of regulation against the Packers.

“As it turned out, it was the wrong decision. Do I have to eat it now? You bet I do,” Seifert said. “I know a lot of people are probably upset about it, the players included, and I have to face them just like they have to face me when they make a mistake. It’ll be with me for a while, there’s no question.”